What's the difference between a crumpet and pikelet? A good question, because there isn't really a difference in flavour. Crumpets and pikelets are both raised bread products made with yeast, and they're both baked on a griddle (although a frying pan works just as well). If there is a difference "Proper" crumpets are thick and usually cooked in a circular mould with a top covered in little open bubbles. When toasted and buttered, the melted butter oozes into these holes, producing a crispy, buttery honeycomb with a crunchy exterior. A pikelet is usually flatter and less regularly shaped as you simply spoon a small amount of batter out rather than filling up a mould.... quicker to prepare but still all the little wells to hold the the lovely melted butter. The verdict...they both taste delicious.
We can purchase crumpets at the local grocery store, but I don't really like the flavour of the brand we get these days. The company uses too much baking soda for all those airy holes to collect the butter. I woke up this morning craving something "yeasty"so opted for a blast from my past. They say that if your body is craving something specific you are missing certain nutrients in your diet. For example fatty fried foods, salty foods, chocolate...etc. Check this out .This is a recipe my mom and dad sent me and is in our family cookbook.
I like my pikelets slathered in butter...forget the jam :D
**Mom and Dad's Pikelets**
(although they must be crumpets....)
Mix 1/2 oz of fresh yeast ( or 1 package dry) and 1 tsp of salt with 8 oz (1 cup) of bread flour. Heat 1/2 pint (1-1/4 cups) of mixed milk and water in a saucepan until just warm. Add to dry ingredients and beat well until free from lumps. Let rise in bowl for about 30 minutes.When the mixture starts to drop beat in 1/4 tsp of bicarbonate soda (baking soda) in 4 tablespoons of cold water. Fold in the lightly beaten white of an egg.Pour batter into molds sprayed with Pam or buttered onto hot griddle. The other option would be to pour batter like pancakes. When the surface is dry flip and brown the other side.
Serve warm or toast later with butter or jam. :D
Makes 12 pikelets
Ooh... crumpets are on my list! I have this idea of recreating the lovely formal afternoon teas I've had in London. Now I have another recipe to reference. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Val as I have never heard of pikelets! I love it when I learn something new everyday! Look easy to do and I have never had a crumpet either! Guess I do live under a big rock, actually I live atop of one!!!!
ReplyDeleteCatch you next week sometime!
Val, I've never heard of pikelets but I've seen the crumpets...I take it one eats them much like an English muffin?
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of pikelets, but I love love love crumpets for the honeycombed butter yeastiness that you described. Too bad the weekend is over and I can't head into the kitchen and make these for breakfast...
ReplyDeleteYou and I would get along so well. I totally know what you mean by craving something yeasty. These look SO good and would be a fun little baking project for Noah and I this week.Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh wonderful! My english bloke just made me crumpets this week! I love mine with lots of butter and orange marmalade. Great post, Valli!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting! Here in Australia, pikelets are little pancakes. No yeast. Nothing like a crumpet at all.
ReplyDeleteYou eat them for afternoon tea with strawberry jam and a dollop of whipped cream. I will have to blog about them.
Val this is great. I sure would like to try these, although I still have leftovers from my recent doughnuts. Thanks a lot for that list of cravings ingredients.
ReplyDeleteOoooh yum! It has to be crumpets in my part of the world. I love them lightly toasted with lashings of butter. A lovely post Val!
ReplyDeleteRosie x
Thanks for all your encouraging comments guys :D I think that the word pikelet might also be a regional thing because mom and dad still call the formed version pikelets :D
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have never heard of pikelets, I bet you yours are delicious!! They remind me of an engish muffin.
ReplyDeleteThis pikelets and crumpets sound so funny to me!!! First time I hear this words, and by looking at the picture I would have said it was a pancake!!! I'm so ignorant of all these "desserts"???? you have; but I must say I wouldn't mind to have some for breakfast!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love crumpets, but have never made them before. They are so yummy!
ReplyDeleteCrumpets I have done, but NEVER heard of Pikelets...I am going to give these a try..will let you know. :)
ReplyDeleteOh how delicious! I just adore crumpets/pikelets but have never tried to make my own. I bet they are so much better. I love mine toasted with butter and honey after a long wintery walk.
ReplyDeleteI've never had crumpets or pikelets. I have had English muffins though.
ReplyDeleteI like how you described the butter all oozing over them.
I love how the pockets catch the butter, and you taste little pools of butter in your mouth. MMMM.
Yes pikelets/crumpets are a great breakfast treat. They only take a a little over 1/2 hour to make so I don't know why I don't make them more often :D Some recipes call for sugar....would that be sacrilege???
ReplyDeleteI vote for the extra depth of crumpets, with butter and Marmite. Jam has no place on crumpets or pikelets!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I love crumpets! I had never heard of a pikelet -- learn something everyday from your blog, Val! I've made crumpets only once in my life many years ago. I should try that again some time.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of pikelets till now!
ReplyDeleteI have to try making these now, they look so simple and delicious :)
Crumpets are good! Making your own sounds like fun. Crumpets with melted butter...mmm...
ReplyDeletejust posted about these for taste and create! My sister and canadian nephew are visiting this week so perfect timing!
ReplyDeleteHello, can I just ask - what is an English muffin? I'm English, and always assumed english muffins WERE crumpets, now I know they're not! Am just aondering where they got the name "English muffin" when no one I know in England knows what they are! :p Can anyone tell me? :)
ReplyDeleteHey Jenny, They call if an English muffin because a muffin in Canada or the States is like a small cake and not a yeasted bread. Read the Wikipedia explanation at:
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muffin
We were brought up calling them pikelets, my dad is an old school Brummie and he always says 'they'm pikelets, not crumpets' so my brother and I have kind of stuck with pikelets, lol :-)
ReplyDeleteIt would seem to be a Regional thing. I'm from Northampton originally, we called them Crumpets, i only heard the term Pikelets when i moved to Reddicth after meeting my 'now ex' and moving here with him, it's what he called them. We often had a they're crumpets/no they're pikelets disagreement about them!! lol
ReplyDeleteI'm from South Yorkshire and back in the late 50's and the 60's a bloke would turn up on the streets carrying a large basket ringing a hand bell. He would then stand ringing the bell shouting "Pikelets" on the top of his voice. On another note another bloke would also turn up in the summer months on a bike with 2 wheels at the front and one at the back, there was a insulated box between the front wheels with ice cream in, he would blow a whistle and shout " Walls Ice Cream".
ReplyDelete