Description
Delicate and thin Russian crepes known as Blini, made with a simple batter of milk, eggs, flour, and butter. Perfectly cooked on the stovetop, these versatile pancakes can be enjoyed with a variety of sweet or savory toppings like sour cream, smoked salmon, jam, or caviar. A traditional yet easy-to-make dish ideal as a breakfast or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Blini Batter
- 2 cups whole milk (warmed)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted, plus more for cooking)
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Smoked salmon
- Jam
- Caviar
- Fresh herbs
Instructions
- Prepare the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the warm milk, eggs, sugar, and salt until smooth. Gradually add the flour, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Stir in the melted butter. Let the batter rest for 15–20 minutes to relax the gluten, resulting in tender blini.
- Heat the Pan: Heat a nonstick skillet or crepe pan over medium heat and lightly grease with butter to prevent sticking and to add flavor.
- Cook the Blini: Pour about 1/4 cup of batter into the pan, swirling to coat the bottom evenly in a thin layer. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the edges begin to lift and the bottom is golden brown. Flip carefully and cook for another 30–60 seconds until the other side is lightly golden. Remove and stack on a plate.
- Repeat Cooking: Continue with the remaining batter, buttering the pan as needed between batches to maintain nonstick surface and flavor.
- Serve: Serve the blini warm with your choice of toppings such as sour cream, smoked salmon, jam, caviar, or fresh herbs for a delicious sweet or savory treat.
Notes
- For thinner blini, add a few extra tablespoons of milk to the batter.
- Blini can be made in advance and reheated in a skillet or microwave before serving.
- Traditional Russian toppings include sour cream and smoked fish, but they also pair wonderfully with sweet options like jam or honey.
