Coffee with: Erika, The Pancake Princess

If you didn’t go to her first pop up last Friday, she will be hosting one more this Friday, March 13 in Asano x The Noortwyck (West Village). Come by!

Tell me about yourself? I am a baking content creator curating the internet’s best recipes. I test some of the most popular internet recipes in a side-by-side comparison to find the best bite, complete with data-driven feedback.

What gets you up in the morning?

I feel like there’s a nonstop stream of projects that I’m always working on (from testing/developing new recipes, videos, newsletters, events, etc) and I’m usually excited to get up and work on something new.

What’s something about your work that people don’t see but should know?

I bake a lot but leftovers rarely go to waste! I’m always bringing baked goods to friends, neighbors, my doormen, events, etc. I think some people don’t realize that when I do my monthly bake offs (baking 9 different versions of a certain baked good like banana bread or lemon bars), the whole purpose is that the results get boxed up for tasters to rate--and that data eventually gets used in my bake off posts. I don’t have 9 whole cakes just lingering in my apartment!

Best meal you’ve had recently?

I just got back from Sydney and had an amazing meal at an Italian spot called Kindred. My friend recommended their tasting menu (about $57 USD) and it’s just so much food. They start you with slabs of warm house-made sourdough and everything from the stracciatella to the carrot pasta to the lemon poppyseed cheesecake semifreddo was amazing. Still thinking about the cabbage salad! But also, the pancakes at Lumiere Cafe were outstanding.

If you could have coffee with anyone, dead or alive?

Ahhh this question is always so hard for me. If I narrow it down to just people who inspire me baking-wise, it might be Cecilia Tolone at the moment. I’m absolutely fascinated by her apartment bakery and would love to talk to her about Swedish baking.

What does your craft mean to you in one sentence?

Freedom to experiment and bring joy to people.

Follow Erika and her recipe testing on substack and instagram!