The real reason we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday

Whether you prefer a traditional topping or an adventurous twist, Pancake Day 2025 is your time to enjoy every delicious bite. Happy flipping!

Pancake Day is one of the most delicious dates in the calendar, giving us all the perfect excuse to flip, drizzle, and indulge.

Whether you’re a lemon-and-sugar purist or a Nutella enthusiast, everyone loves these disks of buttery goodness.

But why do we eat pancakes on this day? And why does the date change every year?

Here’s everything you need to know about Shrove Tuesday 2025 – plus an easy, fool-proof recipe for the fluffiest pancakes.

Read more: Health benefits of high-protein breakfasts plus easy recipes

When is Pancake Day 2025?

Mark your calendars! Pancake Day 2025 falls on Tuesday, 4 March.

But if you’re wondering why it’s never the same date, here’s the reason: Shrove Tuesday is tied to Easter, which follows the lunar calendar. It always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, meaning its date shifts each year depending on when Easter is.

Read more: Easter recipes for vegetarians, pescatarians & carnivores

Why do we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?

Pancake Day isn’t just about delicious stacks of syrup-laden goodness — it has deep-rooted traditions.

Shrove Tuesday is the last day before Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and reflection leading up to Easter. Historically, this was the day to use up rich foods like eggs, milk, and butter — hence, pancakes!

Over time, the religious significance has faded for many, but the tradition of making pancakes has firmly stuck (much like batter to the ceiling when your flipping skills go wrong).

Read more: How to make Dirty Bones’ legendary Creme Egg Waffle

The best easy pancake recipe

Want to whip up the perfect batch? This simple recipe has you covered.

Ingredients:

• 100g plain flour
• 2 large eggs
• 300ml milk
• A pinch of salt
• Butter (for frying)

Method:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, eggs, milk, and salt until smooth.
2. Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat and add a little butter.
3. Pour in a ladleful of batter, swirling to coat the pan.
4. Cook for about 1-2 minutes until golden, then flip (with confidence!).
5. Cook for another minute, then transfer to a plate and repeat.

Top with your favourites — whether it’s classic lemon and sugar, indulgent chocolate spread, or a savoury twist like cheese and spinach.

Read more: 5 of the best quick low-ingredient recipes for busy families

Best Pancake Restaurants in London

If you’re not in the mood to whip up your own pancakes, London has plenty of incredible spots to satisfy your cravings. Here are some of the top-rated pancake restaurants in the city:

• The Breakfast Club – Famous for its fluffy American-style pancakes and indulgent toppings.
• Where The Pancakes Are – A must-visit for creative pancake dishes, from sweet to savoury.
• My Old Dutch – A pancake institution serving giant Dutch pancakes with a variety of toppings.
• Granger & Co. – Known for their legendary ricotta hotcakes.
• Christopher’s – A great choice for luxurious, all-American pancake stacks.