Tips For Better Basic Pancakes
- Use your pantry! I often have buttermilk on hand , and I dont mind whisking the occasional egg white for lofty pancakes, but on a Tuesday morning at 7:10 a.m. with an internal countdown to the minute the school bell rings, I am not reaching for either. These pancakes rely purely on kitchen staples: all-purpose flour, a little sugar, milk, eggs, and baking powder. The baking powder is responsible for these pancakes rise, so it helps that you aerate the batter well with a whisk and that you let the batter rest before cooking.
- A single bowl is perfect for mixing. Theres no need to dirty multiple bowls. Simply whisk together the dry ingredients first, then add the milk, oil, and eggs and whisk to combine.
- Always rest the batter. After mixing, be sure to rest the batter for about 10 minutes. This gives the flour a chance to properly hydrate and the baking powder time to activate. Refill your coffee and pull out your favorite pancake pan, and by the time you return the batter will be ready to go.
- Use cast iron for cooking. Cast iron is my skillet of choice for pancakes, because it heats well and browns the pancakes without an excess of butter. A nonstick pan or a griddle can be used, too.
What Can You Put On Top
- While maple syrup is a great go to there are TONs of options for topping your pancakes.
- Jams and preserves of all sorts are great, my favorite is marmalade but strawberry is a total crowd pleaser.
- Try making an infused simple syrup. Bring one cup of water and one cup of sugar to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Now you can add in your favorite flavors. Lemon or orange peels, berries, herbs, you name it. Simmer them in the simple syrup for a few minutes then transfer to a mason jar and let them steep.
- Whipped cream! A dollop of homemade whipped cream is a great choice to compliment your pancakes.
What Is The Secret To Good Pancakes
Heres how its done my friends, the grand secret: A separated egg. You dont have to whip the egg whites or anything, just beat them with a fork for 30 seconds or so.
This 30 second step gives your egg white some space from the yolk, and time to shine. Beating the whites breaks up all the protein, so instead of stringy gloopy whites holding together in your pancake batter, it is beaten until bubbly and helps each pancake rise into perfectly fluffy little cakes when being cooked. Magical, right?? I just love that the secret is something SO EASY!
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The Best Homemade Pancake Recipe From Scratch
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This is the best homemade pancakes recipe from scratch. You can fool around with all sorts of other ingredients when it comes to pancakes, but in the end its always Grandmas recipe that rules them all.
This was my Grandmas and then my Moms recipe and now its all that I use for my family anymore! Its perfect every time! I also have a great Belgian Waffles recipe if you want to try those as well.
Pancakes Tools & Equipment
Making pancakes from scratch is easier than you think, simply use the ingredients listed below in my recipe card and follow the simple instructions. Make sure you have the following equipment ready for this recipe:
Once you have your equipment ready, jump down to my recipe, print it out and youll be well on your way!
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Tips For The Best Homemade Pancakes
Can this pancake recipe be used to make waffles? Yes! The ratios need to be changed up slightly, but this recipe can be used to make homemade waffles. Get my Fluffy Waffle Recipe here.
Can this pancake recipe be made into mini pancakes or silver dollar pancakes? Yes! I have used this recipe to make miniature pancakes before. Mini pancakes are perfect for kids, a pancake breakfast bar, or to serve at brunch. Get tips on how much batter to use and more in this post: Strawberry Banana Pancake Skewers.
Can this pancake recipe be made with buttermilk? Yes! Just sub out the whole milk for buttermilk. You can really use whatever milk you have on hand . I have not tried it with milk alternatives, like cashew or almond, but these should be okay also. In fact, I use buttermilk in these Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes.
Can this pancake batter be made ahead of time? No. Most baking powder sold today is double acting, which means that the first leavening occurs when the baking powder gets wet. You may notice that after you mix the dry ingredients with the wet, the batter may puff up some in the bowl. The longer is sets without being heated up, the more it will lose that initial rise.
Can these pancakes be frozen? Yes! Freeze them individually before combining in an airtight bag. We reheat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until warm.
Can this recipe be doubled? Yes. I have doubled this recipe and it works great.
Pancakes Toppings What To Put On Pancakes
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Butter and maple syrup the classic!
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Maple syrup alternatives honey, golden syrup and other sweet syrups suitable for eating raw
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Lemon and sugar one of my favourites! Light sprinkle of sugar and a squeeze of lemon
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Strawberries and cream! Pictured below layer it up like a cake, sandwiching the pancakes with whipped cream and sliced strawberries, then finish with a dusting of icing sugar / powdered sugar
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Sinfully rich sauces like caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, butterscotch sauce, peanut sauce, anything!
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Lemon curd, fruit compotes and sauces like blueberry sauce , Strawberry Sauce or try the warm apple topping in this Apple French Toast
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BACON and maple syrup YES!
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Sprinkle of nuts
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Fresh fruit chop it, pile over pancakes with cream!
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Ice cream add a scoop onto a stack and drizzle with maple syrup, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce. Dont forget the whipped cream!
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Dusting of cinnamon and sugar
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Should I Use Baking Soda Or Baking Powder In Pancakes
Yes. Ha!
Okay, generally, you want to use baking powder for run-of-the-mill pancakes as baking soda only activates with an acid like that found in buttermilk. But we have buttermilk, so were using both leavening agents. The double guns of both baking powder and baking soda makes for a fluffy bed of heaven, waiting for a syrupy covering!
Everyday Pancakes Designed For Weekday Mornings
Im of the mind that every home should have two pancake recipes: a lofty one for weekends and an easier, more straightforward recipe for weekdays . These are my basic everyday pancakes that Ive been making once a week ever since I became a mother seven years ago, and Ive learned a lot along the way.
What makes these extra-easy is that the batter is mixed up in just one bowl, which means faster prep and cleanup. Theres no fussy steps like sifting flour or separating eggs, and all of the ingredients are ones you likely keep on hand.
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How To Make A Layer Cake With One Pan
Whether for a birthday or holiday celebration, cakes for a great dessert to serve. Many people choose to make a layer cake with filling to make it even more special. If you do not have multiple cake pans, you will want to know how to make a layer cake with one pan.
The great thing about layer cakes and you can fill them with frosting, custard, jam, ganache, or whipped topping. It gives you the possibility to be as creative as you like with the flavor combinations. Fortunately, you can still make a layer cake even if you only have one pan and the process requires no prior baking experience.
Pro Tips For This Recipe
- DONT over-mix you batter! Those little lumps are fine and will dissolve when the pancakes cook.
- You can DOUBLE or triple this recipe for more pancakes!
- No buttermilk? No problem! Add a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to your milk, mix and set aside.
- The best pancakes come from using room temperature wet ingredients. If possible get the milk and egg out early but if youre in a rush just zap them in the microwave for a minute after mixing together.
- If youre microwaving butter cover the bowl with a small plate. The water in the butter will steam up and explode, splattering butter all over the microwave. You should of course always use 50% power when melting butter but better safe than sorry!
- If youre adding berries, chocolate chips or thinly sliced apple, place them in the batter at the final stage and when youre mixing the wet and dry together.
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How To Pour Pancake Batter
Another tip to use when making this recipe is to use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop your batter. This way you get happy, uniform, perfect pancakes. When I add the batter to the griddle I start from the center and gently pour in a circular movement to help the batter spread into a nice round circle.
Keep in mind that this pancake batter will be very thick. This is what you want! There is no need to thin it out with more milk or liquid. It will be thick! It wont pour like boxed mix, it will scoop. Use a measuring cup to scoop the batter onto the griddle.
How To Make Perfect Pancakes
Pancakes by nature are simple and forgiving, but here are a few tips to help make them just right:
- Your skillet should be sizzling hot.
- Dont over-mix your batter. A little lumpy is fine!
- Keep butter by your side to fry the perfect cake.
- Flip when the edges look a little dry, and bubbles are coming to the surface.
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How To Freeze And Reheat Pancakes
Let the pancakes cool to room temperature, then layer between sheets of parchment paper, and seal in a gallon-sized, zip-top bag.
To reheat, spread a few frozen pancakes on a plate in a single layer and zap in the microwave for about 30 to 45 seconds, then pop them in the toaster. The microwave thaws them, and then the toaster to finishes the job and also provides the crisp fresh-off-the-griddle edges.
How Do You Make Pancake Mix From Scratch
If you want to make old fashioned pancakes from scratch even easier, you can always prep your dry ingredients in advance. This way, when you and your crew want fluffy pancakes from scratch, you can simply mix in the wet ingredients. Make sure you store the dry ingredients of your homemade pancake mix recipe in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
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How To Make Fluffy Pancakes
Say goodbye to the boxed pancake mix. Everything you need to make delicious pancakes is probably sitting in your kitchen right now. This recipe is easy! The pancakes arent too sweet and are lightly scented with vanilla. They are delicious and they are easily adapted to what you have in your kitchen. Lets do this!
Why Do You Put Oil In Pancake Batter
Butter is a beautiful thing it will make a good pancake taste better, and its the only thing Ill use to grease my griddle. Oils break down in high heat, so thats no good, and besides, you have to deal with the flavor that oil gives the pancake. Butter goes with every pancake I make, so its my safety fat.
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Tips From The Betty Crocker Kitchens
- tip 1 Stir 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blackberries, blueberries or raspberries into batter.
- tip 2 Substitute 1 cup buttermilk for the 3/4 cup milk. Decrease baking powder to 1 teaspoon. Add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.
- tip 3 Make pancakes with whole wheat flour. Top each serving with 1/4 cup strawberry yogurt arid 1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries.
- tip 4 Substitute orange juice for the milk. Stir in 1/4 cup dried cranberries and 1/4 cup chopped dried apples after mixing ingredients in Step 1.
A Good Griddle Is Essential For Making Pancakes
Pancakes are my nemesis. It has taken me years of frustration, and finally cluing in and finally having a dang good griddle, to finally make them at home without throwing a temper tantrum. I also have a counter top griddle which honestly works the best.
I didnt want to have to store another appliance but if you are the type of person that makes pancakes, sausage or eggs for breakfast every weekend, you need a griddle. A pan just doesnt work as well.
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How To Cook Perfect Pancakes
perfect pancakes. Almost like a good sponge cake!
How To Make Fluffy Homemade Pancakes:
- Start by sifting together the dry ingredients into a large bowl. I like to use my fine mesh strainer to get the dry ingredients sifted.
- Whisk together the wet ingredients in a smaller bowl and pour that into the dry ingredients.
- Whisk until the batter is just combined, there may be some small clumps, but this is ok. You dont want to over mix the batter.
- Heat a griddle up and coat with non stick spray or butter. Cook pancakes until golden brown on each side.
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