These Cafe-Style Striped Pancakes Look Gourmet but Take Almost No Effort

If your usual crepes feel a little same-old, cue the striped version: chocolate-vanilla ribbons that look like you fussed for hours and come together with everyday pantry stuff. Guests will ask how you did it. Kids will hover.

What you need

Two batters make the stripes. For the light batter, use 250 g wheat flour, 500 ml milk, 2 large eggs, 1 tbsp sugar, 0.5 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil. For the dark batter, go with 200 g wheat flour, 400 ml milk, 2 large eggs, 1 tbsp sugar, 0.5 tsp salt, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, plus 2 tbsp cocoa powder. You will also want a little vegetable oil for the pan and softened butter for brushing the cooked crepes. For serving, line up sour cream, honey, jam, sweetened condensed milk, or fresh berries.

How to make them

1. Set up two bowls. In each, whisk 2 eggs with 1 tbsp sugar and 0.5 tsp salt until smooth. Gradually whisk in the milk for each batter: 500 ml into the light bowl, 400 ml into the dark.
2. Light batter: Sift in 250 g flour, whisk until smooth, then mix in 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Let it rest 15-20 minutes at room temperature so the crepes turn supple and hold together beautifully.
3. Dark batter: In a separate bowl, combine 200 g flour with 2 tbsp cocoa, then sift to remove any lumps. Pour in the milk-egg mixture, add 2 tbsp vegetable oil, and whisk until glossy and even.
4. Heat a nonstick pan over medium. Lightly grease it with a little vegetable oil once, before the first crepe.
5. Grab two ladles or large spoons, one for each batter. Pour a spoonful of the light batter onto the pan, then add a spoonful of the dark batter right beside it. Keep alternating side by side and tilt the pan to spread everything into a thin layer that forms clean stripes.
6. Cook until the underside goes golden, flip, and finish the second side. Repeat with the remaining batters.
7. Stack the crepes as they come off the pan, brushing each one with a thin layer of butter.

Serve it

Serve warm with sour cream, honey, jam, sweetened condensed milk, or fresh berries. For extra drama, fold into neat envelopes or roll into tight spirals so the stripes show off. Easy to make, dangerously easy to love.