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- Chocolate chips or sprinkles
How to Make Fluffy Pancakes from Scratch
1. Whisk Dry Ingredients Together
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Whisk the dry ingredients until they’re well-mixed. This ensures that the baking powder is evenly distributed throughout the flour, which will help the pancakes rise and become fluffy.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Make sure the butter isn’t too hot—if it’s too warm, it could scramble the egg. Once mixed, the wet ingredients should form a smooth and slightly frothy mixture.
3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently stir the mixture together. Be careful not to overmix—it’s okay if there are a few lumps. Overmixing can result in dense pancakes, and we want light, fluffy ones! Stir just until the ingredients are combined.
4. Preheat Your Pan or Griddle
Place a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a small amount of butter or oil to grease the pan. Once the pan is hot (but not smoking), it’s time to start cooking your pancakes.
To test if the pan is hot enough, drop a small amount of batter onto the surface. If it sizzles gently, the pan is ready. If it doesn’t sizzle, wait a minute longer before adding more batter.
5. Cook the Pancakes
For each pancake, spoon about ¼ cup of batter onto the hot griddle or skillet. You can use the back of the spoon or a ladle to spread the batter into a circle.
Cook the pancake for 2-3 minutes on the first side, until bubbles start to form on the surface and the edges look set. Flip the pancake using a spatula and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the second side, until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Keep Pancakes Warm
As you finish cooking the pancakes, place them on a plate and cover with a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm. You can also place them in a low oven (around 200°F) to keep them warm until you’re ready to serve.
7. Serve and Enjoy!
Once all the pancakes are cooked, it’s time to dig in! Stack the pancakes high on a plate, then top them with maple syrup, fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or any of your favorite toppings.
Tips for Perfect Pancakes
- Don’t Overmix: As mentioned, be gentle when mixing the batter. Lumps are fine! Overmixing will make the pancakes dense, so just mix until everything is combined.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best texture, try to use room temperature milk and eggs. Cold ingredients can cause the batter to clump, which can result in uneven cooking.
- Preheat the Pan Properly: Make sure your pan is preheated to the right temperature. If it’s too hot, the pancakes will burn on the outside before cooking through. If it’s too cool, the pancakes may spread too much and become thin. Medium heat is generally the best.
- Test the First Pancake: The first pancake is often the test pancake—use it to check the temperature of your pan and adjust as needed. You may need to tweak the heat to get it just right.
- Add Flavor Variations: You can easily customize your pancakes by adding extras like chocolate chips, blueberries, bananas, or spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter.
Pancake Variations to Try
While the classic version of pancakes is delicious on its own, here are a few creative ways to mix things up:
1. Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Add chocolate chips to the batter just before cooking, or sprinkle them on top of the pancakes as they cook. These are a favorite for kids (and adults who are kids at heart!).
2. Blueberry Pancakes
Stir in fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter. They’ll burst as the pancakes cook, releasing a sweet, fruity flavor in every bite.
3. Banana Pancakes
Mash a ripe banana and stir it into the batter for natural sweetness and extra moisture. You can even top the pancakes with sliced banana for a delicious twist.
4. Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter and swirl a cinnamon-sugar mixture into the pancakes as they cook for a cinnamon roll-inspired flavor. Drizzle with icing for the ultimate indulgence.
5. Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes
Add the zest of one lemon and a tablespoon of poppy seeds to the batter for a fresh, tangy pancake flavor. A drizzle of lemon glaze on top adds a nice finishing touch.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Pancakes
If you have leftover pancakes (which is rare, but it happens!), don’t worry—you can easily store and reheat them.
- Storing: Place leftover pancakes in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate them for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: To freeze pancakes, place a piece of parchment paper between each pancake and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, place pancakes in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or warm them up in a toaster oven for a few minutes until they’re hot and crispy. You can also reheat them in a regular oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Final Thoughts: The Perfect Pancake Recipe
Making pancakes from scratch is incredibly satisfying and results in a stack of pancakes that’s miles better than anything from a box. With a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can have a delicious breakfast (or dinner) on the table in no time. Whether you like them plain or loaded with toppings, fluffy homemade pancakes are always a crowd-pleaser.
So, grab your whisk, heat up your skillet, and start flipping—these pancakes are sure to become a family favorite.
Enjoy your homemade pancakes! 🥞🍯
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