Scotch Corsican Pancakes with Chestnut Flour
Wanting something a bit different for pancake day? These Scotch Corsican Pancakes are just the thing: I’ve added a delicious Corsican twist to the classic drop scone or Scotch pancake with chestnut flour and orange.
Scotch pancakes are also known as drop scones or griddle cakes. To keep Corsican hubby happy, I came up with an Auld Alliance version, merging the two nations in a simple pancake. Here I’ve made them slightly different with the addition of chestnut flour, which is a typical rustic flour used in Corsican cuisine and easily found in our health food stores. It just adds a nutty, rich texture and goes beautifully when paired with orange. Serve warm with plenty of honey and/or warmed marmalade for something special. Adding a touch of Corsican liqueur just gives a subtle kick to the flavour.
For more recipes using chestnut flour or sweetened vanilla chestnut paste, check out the following:
- Moist Banana and Chestnut Loaf with Walnuts
- Chestnut Vanilla Ice Cream
- Chocolate and Chestnut Pudding
- Chestnut Flour Tarts with Pumpkin, Sage and Mushrooms
Scotch Corsican Pancakes
Wanting something a bit different for pancake day? These Scotch Corsican Pancakes are just the thing: I’ve added a delicious Corsican twist to the classic drop scone or Scotch pancake with chestnut flour and orange. See printable recipe below.
Makes 12 pancakes
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Resting Time: 30 minutes (put your feet up & have a cup of tea..)
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
70g plain flour
45g chestnut flour
2 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
30g butter, melted
2 tbsp caster sugar
1 large organic egg
1 tbsp Corsican Chestnut Liqueur (or Grand Marnier)*
1 tsp grated zest of an unwaxed orange
120ml milk
- Sift the flours, sugar, baking powder & salt in a large bowl.
- Make a well in the centre. Whisk in the melted butter, the egg, orange zest, the liqueur (if using*) and gradually add in the milk until thick and creamy. Set aside the mixture for 30 minutes so that the glutens in the flour expand. This will make your pancakes light and fluffy (which I didn’t do for the photos here. I was in a rush to run the kids back to school at lunch and you can see they’re as flat as a pancake. 30 mins rest does make a difference).
- Lightly grease a griddle/pancake pan or heavy frying pan and preheat it.
- Cook in batches. Drop the equivalent of 4 spoonfuls of the mixture spaced apart over medium heat for 3 minutes until bubbles rise to the surface and burst.
- Turn the pancakes over and cook for a further 2 minutes.
* If you don’t want to use alcohol, replace the liqueur with orange flower water.
Turn over the pancakes once you see the bubbles bursting
Scotch Pancakes (Drop Scones) with Corsican Chestnut Flour
Update: I’m still learning: I should have just lumped these Scotch Corsican Pancakes with the blethery blog post on one page. So if it’s the chatter you’re after, see le blog: Chestnuts! From Pancakes to Ice Cream to Macarons…
Fancy something a bit different for pancake day? These Scotch Corsican Pancakes are just the thing: I've added a Corsican twist to the classic drop scone or Scotch pancake with chestnut flour and orange.
- 70 g (2.5oz) plain flour
- 45 g (1.5oz) chestnut flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- pinch salt
- 30 g (1oz) butter melted
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
- 1 large organic egg
- 1 tbsp Corsican Chestnut Liqueur or Grand Marnier*
- 120 ml (4oz) milk
- 1 tsp grated orange zest (unwaxed orange)
Sift the flours, sugar, baking powder & salt in a large bowl.
Make a well in the centre. Whisk in the melted butter, egg, orange zest, the liqueur (if using*) and gradually add in the milk until thick and creamy. Set aside the mixture for 30 minutes so that the glutens in the flour expand. This will make your pancakes light and fluffy (which I didn't do for the photos here. I was in a rush to run the kids back to school at lunch and you can see they're as flat as a pancake. 30 mins rest does make a difference).
- Lightly grease a griddle/pancake pan or heavy frying pan and preheat it.
- Cook in batches. Drop the equivalent of 4 spoonfuls of the mixture spaced apart over medium heat for 3 minutes until bubbles rise to the surface and burst.
- Turn the pancakes over and cook for a further 2 minutes.
* If you don't want to use alcohol, replace the liqueur with orange flower water (fleur d'oranger).
If not eating straight away, stack on a plate and cover with a clean tea towel.
Jill Colonna
Jill Colonna 
Jill Colonna 
I have never used chestnut flour, these pancakes sounds amazing. Thank you for the recipe!
Once you try chestnut flour, I can imagine you’ll be hooked. Pleasure with the recipe. Use about a quarter with normal flour and it gives a lovely rustic nutty flavour to quiches etc. Have you seen this recipe for chestnut flour tart with roasted pumpkin? You’ll love it!
can I move in?
I’m good at doing the dishes…
Oh my gosh, chestnut flour sounds like an amazing addition. I’ve never heard of Corsican Chestnut Liqueur, but I want some! Thanks for the recipe.
More chestnut! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! 🙂
I love chestnuts but have never come across chestnut flour. These pancakes sound wonderful with the chestnut liqueur.
So tasty. The chestnut flour looks like a great addition.
Those look great! I never would’ve thought of adding in the Grand Marnier to my pancakes, but I’m sure it would be delicious!
I love this recipe…chestnut flour…o my…thanks for sharing:)
Never tried cooking with chestnut – the addition of liqueur is genius!
Reminds me of a chinese combo with their cakes…
Thanks for dropping by the site, Jill 🙂
These pancakes sound so good, especially with orange
liquer. a very upscale “pancake” to be sure.
I’ve never used chesnut flour or liquer, definately something to be on the lookout for. Thanks for sharing this. Hope you have a great week.
-Gina-
And it has chestnut flour! Loving the nuttiness and earthiness of it. Forget fluffy buttermilk and bring them on.
Chestnut and orange??? YUM! I have never had these pancakes, but I love the idea of pairing chestnuts with orange. I am going to save this and as soon as I find the chestnut flour I am going to give it a try!!! 🙂
i’m not much for pancakes…doesn’t suit our taste here. but they’re pretty to look at. drop scones…such a cool name. i missed your blether here 😛
i’ve an award for you in my blog. pick it up as and when time permits. if already received from elsewhere feel free to ignore!
how did your book signing go off?
Thoma, I am honoured to receive an award from you, thank you! You’re so sweet.
I need to find chestnut flour because these sound absolutely wonderful… and I’d love to try them with the orange flower water!
This is awesome. I didn’t know that chestnut flour exist. It must have such a great flavor and the Liqueur taste must make it so unique. I would love to try it, is so unfortunate that the weekend is already over, i should try it next weekend. thanks for sharing.
I saw chestnut flour the other day and was tempted to purchase it. These look wonderful, whether you call them pancakes or scones, it hardly matters!
I love the chestnut/orange flavours which lift these pancakes out of the ordinary. Coming to a skillet near me very soon…
delicious pancakes haven’t had this combination
I’ve never heard of these before but they look absolutely scrumptious, nonetheless. I’m intrigued by the chestnut flour 🙂
just a perfect dessert for my griddle 🙂
they look great!