Palacsinta
Sweet Hungarian Crepes
Palacsinta are thin, delicate Hungarian crepes, similar to French crêpes, that can be filled with a variety of sweet fillings and dusted with powdered sugar. They are a beloved dessert or snack in Hungary, with popular fillings including fruit jams, ground walnuts, or sweet cottage cheese.

🧂 Ingredients
- 3 large Eggs(beaten)
- 1 cup Whole milk
- 0.5 cup Club soda (or still water)(adjust for batter consistency)
- 1.25 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter(melted, divided, for cooking)
- Powdered sugar(for dusting)
- Sweet filling of choice(e.g., apricot jam, ground walnuts with sugar, sweet cottage cheese mixture)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, milk, club soda, and vanilla extract.
💡 Tip: Using club soda helps make the crepes lighter. - 2
Gradually whisk in the flour, granulated sugar, and salt until a smooth, thin batter forms. The consistency should be like heavy cream or thin yogurt.
💡 Tip: If the batter is too thick, add a little more club soda or water. If too thin, add a tablespoon of flour at a time. - 3
Heat about 1 teaspoon of melted butter in an 8-inch non-stick skillet or crepe pan over medium heat. Swirl to coat the bottom.
💡 Tip: A non-stick pan is crucial for easy crepe making. - 4
Pour about 1/4 cup of batter into the hot skillet, immediately tilting and swirling the pan to spread the batter into a thin, even circle.
💡 Tip: Don't overcrowd the pan; a thin layer is key. - 5
Cook for about 1-2 minutes, until the edges start to lift and the bottom is lightly golden. Flip the crepe carefully and cook the other side for about 1 minute.
💡 Tip: Use a thin spatula for easy flipping. - 6
Slide the cooked crepe onto a plate. Keep warm while you cook the remaining crepes, adding a little more butter to the pan as needed and repeating with the remaining batter.
💡 Tip: Stack the cooked crepes on a plate; they won't stick together once cooled slightly. - 7
To serve, spread your chosen sweet filling over each crepe, then roll or fold them. Dust generously with powdered sugar.
💡 Tip: Warm fillings slightly before spreading for easier application.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Letting the batter rest for 30 minutes to an hour can improve the texture of the crepes.
- ✓Adjust the amount of liquid to achieve the desired thinness for your crepes.
- ✓Palacsinta can be made savory as well, often filled with meat and paprika sauce (Hortobágyi Palacsinta).
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Fill with apricot, plum, or sour cherry jam.
- Mix ground walnuts with sugar and a pinch of cinnamon for a nutty filling.
- Combine drained cottage cheese with a little sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest for a creamy filling.