Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps in the dry ingredients.
Step 2: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract (if using). Ensure all wet ingredients are well combined.
Step 3: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, whisking constantly until the batter is smooth and free of lumps. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can make crepes tough. If lumps remain, strain the batter through a fine-mesh sieve or use an immersion blender for a few seconds.
Step 4: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably for 1-2 hours, and up to overnight. This resting period allows the flour to fully hydrate and gluten to relax, resulting in more tender crepes.
Step 5: When ready to cook, remove the batter from the refrigerator and give it a gentle whisk. If the batter seems too thick (it should be like thin cream), add a tablespoon or two of milk until the desired consistency is reached.
Step 6: Heat a 8-inch non-stick crepe pan or skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease the pan with butter or oil using a paper towel. For the first homemade crepes 2, you might need a bit more grease, but subsequent crepes usually require little to none.
Step 7: Pour about 1/4 cup of batter into the center of the hot pan. Immediately tilt and swirl the pan quickly to spread the batter evenly over the entire bottom surface in a thin layer.
Step 8: Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and crispy, and the surface appears set and dry. The crepe should easily lift from the pan.
Step 9: Using a thin spatula, gently loosen the edges of the crepe, then carefully flip it over. Cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute on the second side, until lightly golden.
Step 10: Transfer the cooked crepe to a plate. Continue with the remaining batter, stacking the finished crepes on top of each other. The residual heat will keep them warm and pliable. Serve your homemade crepes 2 immediately with your favorite sweet or savory fillings.