Unique Pancake Soup Recipe Sparks Online Interest

A vintage recipe has recently gained attention on social media, and it’s not your typical dish. This recipe, dating back to 1975, suggests frying pancakes in bacon fat and soaking them in a savory soup.

According to a post shared on Reddit, the dish, found in the “Community Cookbook,” involves creating thin pancakes from a nutmeg-spiced batter, frying them in bacon fat, cooling them down, and then cutting them into strips. These strips are then added to a soup made with a bouillon cube.

Written by Johanna Rhodes, this recipe, called “Pancake Soup,” is meant to serve eight people.

The photo of the recipe was shared on the subreddit r/old_recipes by a user named “_alpha_mail_.” They noted their initial surprise at the title, thinking it would feature sweet flavors typical of pancake dishes, like milk and fruit, rather than the savory combination that it turned out to be.

The individual, who frequently shares unique old recipes, mentioned they found the concept very intriguing. However, not everyone echoed that sentiment. Some users expressed skepticism about the idea.

One commenter humorously remarked that they preferred enjoying pancakes alongside soup rather than mixed together. Another noted their hesitation about the combination, saying, “While I’m on board with bacon and pancakes, mixing it with broth threw me off a bit.” Yet, some others praised the creativity behind the recipe.

Many Reddit users recognized this dish as Flädlesuppe or Artatten, a comforting traditional German and Austrian soup where pancake strips are used. A user even suggested that this recipe is a clever way to use up leftover pancakes, akin to noodle soup.

Another user reminisced about how they would love to eat this dish often, calling it “truly comfort food.” Some expressed concern that the pancakes might disintegrate in the soup, but a fellow commenter recommended enjoying the dish immediately.

On the bright side, several people appreciated the recipe’s potential for budget-friendly meal planning. A commenter pointed out that it could be a great way to provide for a family, even in challenging times.

A few offered practical tips for making it with ready-made crepes or by adding various soups and herbs. One user shared their own experience, noting the delightful fluffiness of the pancakes as they absorb the soup’s flavors.

Jessica Randhawa, a chef and food blogger, weighed in on the recipe, suggesting it’s a quick and easy version of Flädlesuppe. She recalled how her son, who enjoys both pancakes and soup, ordered something similar while visiting Switzerland and Germany.

Randhawa speculated that this recipe may have been brought to the U.S. by German or Austrian immigrants or could have been shared at community events. Notably, traditional Flädlesuppe is typically made with leftover crepes soaked in hot soup, making it essential to add the pancakes while the soup is steaming.

If she were to recreate the dish, Randhawa mentioned she’d use homemade bone soup and accompany it with traditional German sides, suggesting that even with modern adaptations, the essence of such recipes remains appealing.