Pancake Day 2015: When is Shrove Tuesday this year?

It’s a delicious date for the diary - but one that often causes confusion.

So when IS Pancake Day this year?

Like Easter it’s one of those dates that changes each year.

This year Teessiders will be doing their best to keep their creations from sticking to the roof (and floor...) on Tuesday, February 17.

The next day is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

Lent consists of 40 days and nights of fasting and prayers before Easter.

Last year Pancake Day - also known as Shrove Tuesday - was on March 4 in 2014.

Pancakes were a way to use up the last of the fat or lard from the cupboards before Lent.

Shrove comes from the word shrive, meaning ‘confess’ - so Shrove Tuesday is traditionally when Christians consider what wrongs they need to repent and what areas of their life they need to ask God’s help with.

Here’s a quick recipe:

100g plain flour

2 large eggs

300ml milk

1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil, plus a little for frying

Directions:

Mix flour, eggs, milk and a pinch of salt in a large bowl - and whisk to a smooth batter.

Set a medium frying pan over a medium heat and pop in a small amount of oil.

When hot, pour in your mixture and cook your pancakes for one minute on each side until golden,

Have fun with your toppings - and enjoy!