The French have always had a mastery over all things sweet, from macarons to mousse au chocolat. But one of the most iconic French desserts remains the crêpe suzette.

Rumor has it that, like many great recipes, the syrup used to top the thin, buttery pancakes was invented by mistake. The sauce, made of beurre noisette, orange juice, orange peel, and the orange liqueur Grand Marnier, is flambéed, or set on fire, in order to meld perfectly the delicious suzette flavors. The chef Henri Charpentier allegedly invented it by mistake when preparing it for King Edward VII of England, when the syrup accidentally caught fire and he chose to serve it anyway, creating a lasting classic.

Learn how to make the sweet, tangy crêpes (and an alcohol-free version) with chef Alex Gabriel of Alex French Guy Cooking. And if you enjoy the video, check out Gabriel’s new book, Just A French Guy Cooking. Bon appétit!