Breakfast

Blini

Name: Blini
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups (480 ml) milk; 2 large eggs; 1½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon sugar; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; 2 tablespoons neutral oil, plus more for the pan

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Prep

10 Minutes

Cook

20 Minutes

Total

30 min

Stack of thin golden blini ready for filling and folding

Thin, soft, and lightly golden, these blini are made for stacking, filling, and eating warm throughout the day. They stay flexible, cook quickly, and work just as well with jam as they do with smoked fish or sour cream.

Ingredients

2 cups (480 ml) milk
2 large eggs
1½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
½ teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons neutral oil, plus more for the pan

Instructions

1
Whisk the eggs, sugar, and salt in a large bowl until smooth.
2
Pour in the milk and whisk to combine.
3
Add the flour gradually and whisk until the batter is smooth and lump-free.
4
Stir in the oil, then let the batter rest for 10 minutes.
5
Heat a lightly oiled nonstick skillet over medium heat.
6
Pour in a small amount of batter and tilt the pan to spread it into a thin, even layer.
7
Cook for 30 to 45 seconds, until the edges lift easily and the bottom is lightly golden.
8
Flip and cook the second side briefly.
9
Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter, stacking the blini as you go.

Cook's Note

Let the batter rest so the flour hydrates and the crepes cook up softer and more even. If the batter thickens as it sits, whisk in a splash of milk before the next batch.

Best Served With

sour cream, jam, smoked fish, or butter and sugar

Why This Recipe Works

A thin batter and moderate heat give you crepes that stay soft, flexible, and easy to roll or fold. Resting the batter helps the flour hydrate fully, which improves texture and keeps the blini from tearing.

Make It Yours

Add vanilla sugar for a sweeter version.
Replace a small portion of the milk with kefir for gentle tang.
Cook slightly longer for crisper edges.
Add a splash of milk if the batter thickens as it sits.

Leftover Strategy

Stack leftover blini, cover well, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat briefly in a skillet, then serve with Apricot Jam, Plum Jam, sour cream, or savory toppings.

Want to impress guests with this dish? Ask Jeff →

Pairing

Hot tea or coffee works naturally with blini; jam ↗ or honey from the pantry keeps the plate simple and finished.

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