Charlotte Smith-Jarvis shares one of her favourite pancake recipes for Pancake Day.

Pancake Day falls next week on Tuesday, February 28, which means households across this fair isle will be spending the morning chowing down on the breakfast favourite – or scraping it off the walls/ceilings after failed flipping attempts.

There's been a division in recent years between pancake lovers. You're either a fan of the classic crepe-style batter. Dainty, almost frilly, thin and delicate, this is a pancake that begs to be rolled and filled with the finest of accompaniments.

On the flip-side are American-style pancakes. Thick, soft and bubbling, these bad boys soak-up all manner of toppings – especially that heavenly salty-sweet combination of syrup and bacon (with fried bananas too if you're so inclined).

If you're a traditionalist, mix together 100g plain flour, 2 large eggs and 300mls of milk and you're set.

But if you fancy something different – how about these gorgeous sticky date pancakes?

Sticky date pancakes

(makes 20 small pancakes, freeze well)

Gently spiced and infused with the essence of sticky toffee, these pancakes can be topped, as we made them, with poached oranges. Or go all-out and drizzle over some salted caramel or butterscotch sauce. Go on – you know you want to.

Ingredients

300g self-raising flour

75g plain flour

2tbsps brown sugar

1tsp mixed spice

1/2tsp ground cinnamon

500ml milk

50g melted butter

1 large egg, whisked

125g pitted dates, soaked in boiling water for one hour and chopped finely

Oil for frying

Method

Mix together the flours, sugar and spices and sift into a large bowl. Make a well in the centre. Pour in the milk, butter and egg and whisk gently to combine. Fold in the dates.

Prepare a pan with a coating of oil. Get it nice and hot and add a tablespoon of mixture. Allow it to bubble up and set at the edges before turning to finish cooking. Continue with the rest of the batter.

Make better pancakes

1. Sift the dry ingredients so you don't have to overwhisk (making a tough pancake).

2. Let your pancake mix rest for a few minutes before cooking.

3. Cook with clarified butter or oil.

4. Don't put too many in a pan – they'll go soggy as the temperature of the pan drops.

5. American pancakes are ready to turn when you can see bubbles all over. Lift the edges of crepes to check if they are browned before flipping.

Ultimate toppings

1. Dark chocolate sauce, peanut butter and melted marshmallows

2. Smoked salmon, pickled beetroot, crème fraiche and chives

3. Salted butter spiced with garlic, chilli, pepper and ginger

4. Apples caramelised in brown sugar, butter and cinnamon

5. Stewed rhubarb and stem ginger

6. Comte or Emmental cheese and good quality ham

7. Unsalted butter blended with lemon zest and icing sugar

8. Butter-fried banana and toffee sauce

9. Maple syrup and crisp streaky bacon

10. Tahini paste, cocoa powder and honey