Carlos Sainz’s Viral Pancake Recipe

With less than a month to go until Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) in the UK, it’s time to start perfecting your pancake-flipping technique.

Of course, this will be Carlos Sainz’s first Pancake Day with the team and what better way to celebrate than by recreating his now-legendary pancake recipe?

Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is a tradition in the UK that dates back centuries. It falls on the day before Ash Wednesday and is historically a way to use up rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and sugar before the start of Lent.

In 2025, Pancake Day falls on Tuesday 4th March. The date changes each year to fall exactly 47 days before Easter Sunday.

Carlos Sainz’s approach to pancakes took social media by storm after he casually delivered his recipe off the cuff. However, he later demonstrated his method more precisely in a YouTube video, confirming that his pancakes are as fluffy as his original description promised. The key? Careful folding and aeration.

Here’s everything you need to make them yourself:

1. Separate the eggs: Place the yolks in one bowl and the whites in another.

2. Mix the wet ingredients: Whisk the egg yolks together with the milk and vanilla extract.

3. Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt. Create a well in the centre.

4. Incorporate the wet and dry ingredients: Pour the egg yolk mixture into the well and whisk gently, starting from the centre and working outwards. The batter should be slightly thick.

5. Whisk the egg whites: Beat them until they form stiff peaks. This step is crucial as it’s the air in the egg whites that makes the pancakes light and fluffy.

6. Fold in the egg whites: Add one-third of the whipped egg whites to the batter and gently fold using a spatula. Repeat with the remaining two-thirds, being careful not to deflate the mixture. As Carlos himself says, “You don’t want to make the fluffy unfluffy.”

7. Preheat a non-stick pan over medium-low heat.

8. Add butter: Lightly coat the pan.

9. Cook the pancakes: Pour a ladleful of batter into the pan and cook for about 1-2 minutes until bubbles form on the surface. Flip carefully and cook for another minute.

10. Repeat until all the batter is used.

Carlos might enjoy his pancakes plain, but if you prefer a little extra flavour, you can top them with:

However you serve them, these pancakes are bound to be P1 this Pancake Day – don’t forget to share your attempts with us on social media.