• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Recipe Index
  • About Le Chef's Wife
  • Press
  • Contact

Le Chef's Wife logo

  • Start Here
  • Soup Sunday
  • Riviera Recipes
  • Entertaining
  • Boutique
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Riviera Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Baking

    Published: Jan 31, 2023 · Modified: Jul 9, 2023 by Anina Belle Giannini

    The Best Lemon Sugar Crêpes Recipe

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Lemon sugar Crêpes (Crêpes Citron Sucre) is one of my favorite treats in France. One bite and I am immediate transported to this little Crêperie in the old town of Nice. The zing of the lemon matched with the sweetness of the sugar and the heavenly buttery richness of the Crêpe is the perfect combination. Here is the best, and easiest, Lemon Sugar Crêpes recipe so that you can have that French Crêperie experience at home, where ever you live in the world.

    On February 2nd, the French observe La Fête de la Chandleur, or Candlemas, which is celebrated by eating crêpes. You will also enjoy my super simple Easy French Crêpes Recipe.

    You do not need to have a fancy pan or equipment to make delicious crêpes! Nor do you have to let your batter sit overnight. This recipe is so simple. If you have a non-stick frying pan you will be able to make amazing crêpes!

    lemon sugar crepes up close with powdered sugar
    Lemon Sugar Crêpes

    J'Adore! Would you like to save this recipe?

    We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    Equipment Needed

    A Crêpe pan (with a shallow rim) is ideal, but a regular non-stick frying pan works well too.

    A thin spatula like this one is so helpful for flipping the Crêpes.

    Easiest French Crêpes Recipe Ever!

    My grandmother's French Crêpes are truly as easy to make as 1-2-3. Here is the base recipe to make sweet crepes. This recipe makes about 8-10 small Crêpes. I recommend doubling the recipe for a family of 4.

    ingredients for crepes - flour, eggs and milk
    3 Eggs, 2 cups of milk, 1 cup of flour

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup of Flour (sifted)
    • 2 cups of Milk
    • 3 large eggs
    • butter for greasing the pan (about 3 tbsps)

    For lemon Sugar Crêpes:

    • zest of one lemon and add to the batter.

    To Garnish:

    • 8 teaspoons of granulated sugar (1 teaspoon per crêpe)
    • 2 lemons for squeezing
    • powdered sugar

    Instructions

    Whisk the eggs in a large mixing bowl with the milk. Sift 1 cup of Flour into the egg & milk mixture. Whisk together until smooth. For flavor I like to add in some lemon zest.

    There is no need to let the batter rest. Most times I whip up the Crêpe batter right before eating.

    Making Crêpes is a great learning exercise for kids, my daughter has been making these crêpes since she was 2 years old.

    How to cook the Crêpes

    Prepare a Crêpe pan (or simply a non-stick frying pan) with a pat of butter on medium-low heat and then spoon a small ladle full of batter onto the pan as you swirl the pan around to make a thin, round Crêpe. There should be just a paper thin layer of batter over the pan.

    When the batter starts to bubble, it is time to give a quick flip with a spatula. Cook until golden. I like to have 2 pans going at the same time for efficiency . Pile up the cooked Crêpes as you go on a cookie sheet in the oven (set to the lowest heat possible) so that they stay hot. I like to add a fresh pat of butter to the pan for each Crêpe.

    This recipe makes about 8-10 small Crêpes and can easily be doubled or tripled. I recommend doubling the recipe for a family of 4 Crêpe lovers like mine!

    How to Serve the Lemon Sugar Crêpes

    lemons surround a plate of fresh made crêpes with powdered sugar

    Serve once you have made Crêpes with all the batter so that you can actually sit and enjoy with your family. To make the lemon sugar Crêpes I recommend laying the Crêpe flat on the plate, sprinkling one teaspoon of granulated sugar over the top as well as a squeeze of lemon juice.

    Fold the Crêpe in in half, then in half again to make a triangle shape. Shake powdered sugar over the top and serve with a lemon wedge.

    Le Chef's Wife Tip* Wait until the Lemon Sugar Crêpe has been served before squeezing more lemon juice on the top - it will melt the icing sugar and not look as pretty.

    Chantilly cream over strawberry crepes
    Variation: Crêpes with Chantilly Cream

    FAQS

    Do you need a Crêpe pan to make French Crêpes?

    No - Crêpes can easily be made in an everyday non-stick pan. A Crêpe pan is useful for getting even, round Crêpes. I usually fold my Crêpes when serving so there is no need for an even shape and perfectly round edges anyways!

    Does Crêpe batter have to sit overnight?

    Not with this recipe! You can make the Crêpes as soon as the inspiration hits and begin cooking immediately.

    How long do Crêpes keep in the fridge?

    Crêpes can be made in advance and kept in the fridge up to 2 days. I would recommend placing a sheet of Parchment paper between each Crêpe to keep them from sticking together. The advantage of using Parchment paper is that you can keep the paper between the Crêpes while warming in the oven.

    What is la Fête de la Chandeleur?

    On February 2nd, the French observe La Fête de la Chandeleur, or Candlemas, which is celebrated by eating crêpes. It is also called the festival of light and is considered the last day of Christmas. You will also enjoy my super simple Easy French Crêpes Recipe.

    young boy squeezes lemon onto a lemon sugar crepe

    Other Le Chef's Wife Recipes you will enjoy:

    Easy French Crêpes

    Fresh Fruit Compote

    Crepes with fresh fruit compote

    Mousse au Chocolat

    Baking Baguettes for Beginners

    Crème Brûlée

    homemade creme brulee that has a bite out of it - sugar crackly crust

    Have you made this recipe? Please let me know by leaving a comment and a star recipe below. I LOVE hearing from you.

    ABOUT LE CHEF'S WIFE

    Le Chef's Wife in her kitchen in front of a row of pots and pans with a bowl of Soup

    Bonjour! I am Anina Belle. I translate the fancy cooking of my Michelin-star trained French Chef Husband, Le Chef, into easy to make dishes that busy people with no culinary training (like me!) can make at home. We have two young kids (5 and 2) and I have a full time job in hospitality in addition to this blog. I strongly believe that even busy people deserve to eat well at home.

    We were just recently featured on the TODAY SHOW for our recipes of French Onion Soup Gratinée and Moelleux au Chocolat. You Can watch our full segment here:

    Le Chefs Wife logo a big blue stock pot next to the sea with lemons
    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    close up of lemon sugar crepes

    The Best Lemon Sugar Crêpes Recipe

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews
    • Author: Anina Belle Gianini
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 25
    • Total Time: 30 mins
    • Yield: 2-3 people 1x
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Here is the best, and easiest, Lemon Sugar Crêpes recipe so that you can have that French Crêperie experience at home, where ever you live in the world.The zing of the lemon matched with the sweetness of the sugar and the heavenly buttery richness of the Crêpe is the perfect combination. 


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 cup of Flour
    • 2 cups of Milk
    • 3 large eggs
    • pinch of salt
    • lemon zest 
    • butter for greasing the pan (about 3 tbsps)

    Garnish:

    • 8 teaspoons of granulated sugar (1 teaspoon per crêpe)
    • 2 lemons for squeezing
    • powdered sugar

    Instructions

    How to Make the Crêpe Batter

    1. Whisk 3 eggs in a large mixing bowl
    2. Add in 2 cups of milk.
    3. Sift 1 cup of flour into the egg & milk mixture. Whisk together until smooth. 
    4. Add a ¼ teaspoon of lemon zest.  You can add more if you like!
    5. No sitting time is required for this batter to make delicious crêpes. You can start cooking immediately.

    How to cook the Crêpes

    1. Prepare a Crêpe pan (or simply a non-stick frying pan) with a small pat of butter on medium-low heat.
    2. Spoon a small ladle full of batter onto the pan as you swirl the pan around to make a thin, round Crêpe. There should be just a paper thin layer of batter over the pan.
    3. When the batter starts to bubble, it is time to give a quick flip with a spatula.
    4. Cook until golden. I like to have 2 pans going at the same time for efficiency .
    5. Pile up the cooked Crêpes as you go on a cookie sheet in the oven (set to the lowest heat possible) so that they stay hot.
    6. I like to add a fresh pat of butter to the pan in between each Crêpe. Lower the heat if the butter gets too brown.

    How to serve the Lemon Sugar Crêpes

    1. Serve once you have made Crêpes with all the batter so that you can actually sit and enjoy with your family.
    2. To make the lemon sugar Crêpes I recommend laying the Crêpe flat on the plate, sprinkling one teaspoon of granulated sugar over the top as well as a squeeze of lemon juice.
    3. Fold the Crêpe in in half, then in half again to make a triangle shape.
    4. Shake powdered sugar over the top and serve with a lemon wedge.

    Le Chef's Wife Tip* Wait until the Lemon Sugar Crêpe has been served before squeezing more lemon juice on the top - it will melt the icing sugar and not look as pretty.


    Notes

    This recipe makes about 10 small Crêpes and can easily be doubled or tripled! For a family of 4 I recommend doubling the recipe - my kids eat a lot of these crêpes!

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @lechefswife on Instagram

    More Baking

    • french toast recipe
      Easy French Toast Recipe
    • butter and apricot jam tartine
      French Breakfast Foods
    • foie gras, crackers and spiced prune compote
      Spiced Prune Compote Recipe
    • Making a Buche de Noel from scratch - the finished cake with chocolate ganache and hazelnut brittle
      Buche de Noel Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anne-Laure says

      March 15, 2025 at 8:31 am

      I'm French and I've tried countless of crepe recipes... This one will be my forever go-to recipe from now on! So easy to remember, so easy to make, and without the waiting bit between making the batter and cooking the crepes! Just perfect! I made them yesterday morning and I just loved them! Merci !

      Reply
    2. Suzanne says

      February 01, 2023 at 3:40 pm

      Thank you for the memories of hundreds of 1-2-3 crêpe breakfasts when you were little….and to think I never thought of folding them!

      Reply
      • lechefswife says

        February 02, 2023 at 6:30 pm

        The best memories!! I think we liked to roll our crepes when we were little 🙂

        Reply
    3. Rachel says

      August 14, 2022 at 11:57 pm

      My son loves crepes, and I’ve been scared to try making them, but this is giving me confidence! Thanks Anina!

      Reply
      • lechefswife says

        August 22, 2022 at 1:00 am

        thank you so much for your kind comment. I am so glad you are tempted to try them - you really should! Let me know how they turn out! Bon Appétit, Anina Belle

        Reply
    4. Britney says

      July 17, 2022 at 1:35 pm

      I made these this morning as soon as I saw you post the recipe. My kids loved it! The lemon sugar was so perfect for summer and the crepes were so fluffy and light. This recipe is the epitome of summer. Thank you!

      Reply
      • lechefswife says

        July 23, 2022 at 11:59 pm

        Thank you so much Britney! I am so glad your family loved the recipe! Crêpes are our family favorite as well.

        Reply
    5. Shani Whisonant says

      July 17, 2022 at 1:31 pm

      What an incredible recipe! I love how you always make French cuisine so accessible, beautiful and, most importantly, delicious! Another five star recipe!

      Reply
      • lechefswife says

        July 23, 2022 at 11:58 pm

        Thank you so much for your kind comment Shani! You made my day 🙂

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Primary Sidebar

    Bonjour. If you are looking for French Recipes, made simple, you are in the right place! I translate the fancy cooking of my French Chef husband into easy-to-follow recipes that busy people with no culinary training, like me, can cook. From French Baguettes to French Riviera classic recipes, I invite you to learn French cooking with me.

    More about me →


    Follow Me On

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Popular

    • homemade French baguettes piled up on a striped cotton towl
      Quick Easy French Baguettes (Baking Baguettes for Beginners)

    • a bowl of leek soup with sauteed leeks as a garnish
      Magical Leek Soup

    • oven roasted bone in ribeye steak with potato skewers
      Bone in Ribeye Steak Recipe

    • Branzino on a plate with Vierge Sauce made of tomatoes, capers, shallots, olives and basil
      Mediterranean Branzino Filet Recipe with Vierge Sauce

    • poulet roti - roast chicken with lemon and thyme and garlic fresh out of the oven
      Lemon Thyme French Roast Chicken (Poulet Rôti)

    • french crepe with blueberry compote
      Easy French Crêpes Recipe


    Fall Recipes

    • french onion Soup gratinée in a white bowl with wine
      Le Chef's French Onion Soup Gratinée

    • Parisian Potato salad on a plate with mixed greens and a glass of white wine
      La Salade Parisienne - the best French Potato Salad

    • coq au vin blanc , a chicken stew with white wine, pork belly, celery, onions, mushrooms, parsley
      Coq au Vin Blanc

    • Turkey au vin and mashed potatoes with red wine
      Turkey au Vin

    • Petits Farcis Niçois
      Les Petits Farcis Niçois (or Petits Farcis à la Provençale)

    • 2 pots of French chocolate mousse with chocolate shavings
      Mousse au Chocolat (French Chocolate Mousse made simple)



    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    My Favorites

    • french onion Soup gratinée in a white bowl with wine
    • homemade French baguettes piled up on a striped cotton towl
    • Le Chef's Wife in her kitchen in front of a row of pots and pans

    Search

    Follow

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Featured In


    Privacy Policy Accessibility Policy

    Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme