History

The Skinny Pancake opened in 2003 as a single Burlington crepe cart, founded by Jonny and Benjy Adler with a manifesto to source 80 percent of ingredients from Vermont farms within 100 miles. The Lumberjack crepe (ham and Cabot cheddar, with a side of maple syrup) is the chain's bestselling savoury crepe and has been on the menu since the early years; Skinny Pancake also runs a parade of other Vermont-ingredient crepes (Choco Monkey, Johnny Crepe with maple-BBQ pulled pork). The chain now operates five Vermont locations plus an outlet at Burlington Airport, and remains one of the city's defining local-first food brands.

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Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Egg

Make it at home

Yield 4Hands-on 35 minTotal 1 hr 30 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • For the crepe batter: 150g all-purpose flour, 50g buckwheat flour, 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, 3 large eggs, 480ml whole milk, 30g unsalted butter (melted), plus more butter for the pan
  • 200g sharp Vermont cheddar (Cabot Clothbound or Shelburne Farms 2-year), shaved or grated
  • 200g thinly sliced Vermont smoked ham (Vermont Smoke and Cure or North Country Smokehouse)
  • 60ml pure Vermont maple syrup (Grade A Dark Amber), warmed (served on the side)
  • 30g Vermont butter, soft, for finishing
  • Maldon sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • Optional Skinny Pancake additions: 1 large crisp apple (Honeycrisp or McIntosh) sliced very thin, or a small handful fresh microgreens or watercress for plating

Method

  1. Make the batter: whisk both flours and salt in a large bowl. In a second bowl, whisk eggs, milk and melted butter. Pour the wet into the dry while whisking until completely smooth.
  2. Strain through a fine sieve to remove any lumps, cover and rest in the fridge for at least 1 hour (this hydrates the flour for a tender crepe).
  3. Heat a 25cm non-stick crepe pan or flat skillet over medium-high heat; brush very lightly with butter.
  4. Pour in 80ml of batter, tilt the pan immediately in a swirling motion to thinly coat the bottom; pour any excess back into the bowl.
  5. Cook 60 to 90 seconds until the edges lift and the underside is pale gold; flip with a thin spatula and cook 30 to 45 seconds more. Slide onto a plate and cover with a clean tea towel.
  6. Repeat with the remaining batter, stacking the crepes; brush the pan with butter every two crepes.
  7. To assemble each crepe: lay one crepe flat in the warm pan over very low heat. Scatter 25g cheddar over half the crepe, lay 2 slices of ham over the cheese. Sprinkle a pinch of black pepper.
  8. Fold the crepe in half over the filling, then in half again into a quarter, allowing the cheese to melt for 30 seconds in the pan.
  9. Plate immediately with a small dish of warm maple syrup on the side for drizzling (the canonical Skinny Pancake service). Add a small pat of butter, a few flakes of Maldon salt, and optionally a small handful of microgreens or thin apple slices for an at-home variant.

Tip from the editors. Use a Vermont cheddar with real bite; mild yellow cheddar disappears into the crepe. The apple must be sliced very thin so it warms but stays crisp; thick slices stay cold and break the dish.

Where to eat skinny pancake lumberjack crepe

Skinny Pancake Lumberjack Crepe in Burlington

The Skinny Pancake ★ 4.3

$ CafeWaterfront

Burlington's waterfront creperie on the corner of Lake and College streets on Lake Champlain. Member of the Vermont Fresh Network sourcing local producers.

OrderChoco Monkey sweet crepe and the Johnny Crepe with maple-BBQ pulled pork.

TipLake patio in summer and expect a 20-30 minute wait on weekend brunch; the Choco Monkey crepe goes to nearly every table.

The Skinny Pancake (waterfront) ★ 4.1

$$ $10-18BrunchCrepe brunchWaterfront

Burlington's regular weekend crepe brunch on the lake; long lines on Sundays in summer. Choco Monkey sweet crepes and Johnny Crepe maple-BBQ pulled pork off.

OrderJohnny Crepe (maple BBQ pulled pork)

Sneakers Bistro and Cafe ★ 4.8

$$ $12-22BrunchAll-day breakfastWinooski

Open since 1980 in downtown Winooski, Sneakers serves brunch on two floors with outdoor seating. Eggs Benedict, chicken-and-waffles, Kahlua French toast,

OrderLemon Ricotta Waffles or the Cowboy Hash

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