BATTER at the ready Pancake Day just around the corner.
The date changes every year and comes before Lent ahead of Easter – but when is it in 2021?
Pancakes with syrup is a traditional recipe enjoyed on Shrove TuesdayCredit: Getty – Contributor
When is Pancake Day 2021?
In 2021 Pancake Day – which is also known as Shrove Tuesday – falls on Tuesday, February 16.
The day always falls on the seventh week before Easter.
It is also the day before Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of the the period known as Lent.
The tradition of eating pancakes stems from the time when people were trying to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk and sugar before the fasting season of Lent.
Is Pancake Day always on a Tuesday?
The day always falls on a Tuesday because of the period of time it marks between the start of Lent and Easter.
The following day, Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, in which Christians go through a period of 40 days of fasting, designed to help them remember the same amount of time Jesus spent fasting in the Wilderness.
This culminates in Easter, with Easter Sunday this year falling on April 4.
Lemon and sugar is a favourite topping for pancake lovers on Shrove TuesdayCredit: Alamy
How long is there between Pancake Day and Easter?
Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so as Easter varies from year to year so does Pancake Day.
The date can fall any Tuesday between February 3 and March 9.
The date for Easter changes each year as it falls on the Sunday after the Passover full moon.
The Worm Moon – or Lenten Moon – can be seen in the sky on Sunday, March 28, which determines that Easter will take place on the first Sunday after the full moon – which is April 4.
The earliest possible date for Easter is March 22 and the latest possible date is April 25.
What toppings can you add to your pancakes?
Sweet or savoury, everyone has a standard Pancake Day go to.
Supermarkets have stocked shelves with tubs of chocolate spread and other sugary goodies as the nation prepares the frying pans.
We’ve rounded up some of the most popular combinations:
- The classic: Lemon juice and sugar. For extra flavour, go for a fresh lemon, rather than juice from a bottle. To avoid pips falling onto the pancake, cover your lemon segment with muslin, so just the juice splashes out.
- Chocoholic’s dream: Nutella slathered onto warm pancakes is a favourite for kids (and adults) across the country. Why not add a dollop of peanut butter – chocolate and nuts are a match made in heaven.
- Fruity flip: Whipped cream down the centre with strawberries, blueberries and bananas. If you’re feeling fancy, add chocolate sauce for a real treat.
- Posh pancakes: For those who prefer a savoury pancake, how about smoked salmon, chopped dill with a drizzle of creme fraiche for good measure.
- Cheesy crepe: Another classic combo – ham and cheese. Cook up a large pancake, so it covers the entire pan. Sprinkle cheese and layer ham on one half and fold the naked half over. Let that cheesy goodness ooze.
