Of course! Old-fashioned pancakes are a breakfast staple for a reason. They’re light, fluffy, and have that classic, comforting flavor that boxed mixes can’t quite replicate.
This recipe is simple, reliable, and uses ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.
Classic Old-Fashioned Pancakes
This recipe yields tender, fluffy pancakes with a slight rise and a golden-brown exterior.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Yields: 8-10 medium pancakes
Ingredients
· 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
· 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
· 1 ¼ cups milk (whole milk is best)
· 1 large egg
· 3 tablespoons butter, melted (plus more for the griddle)
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. This ensures the leavening is evenly distributed for a consistent rise.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl or a large measuring cup, whisk together the milk, egg, and melted butter. Pro Tip: Let the melted butter cool for a moment so it doesn’t cook the egg when you mix them.
- Make the Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir with a spoon or spatula until the flour is just moistened. DO NOT OVERMIX. It’s absolutely essential that the batter is lumpy. Overmixing develops gluten, which will make your pancakes tough and flat.
- Rest the Batter: Let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes while you heat your griddle. This allows the baking powder to start activating and the flour hydrates, resulting in a fluffier pancake.
- Cook the Pancakes:
· Heat a griddle or large non-stick skillet over medium heat. To test if it’s ready, flick a few drops of water onto the surface – they should dance and evaporate quickly.
· Lightly grease the surface with butter or a neutral oil. You should see a slight sizzle.
· Pour about ¼ cup of batter onto the griddle for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, about 2-3 minutes.
· Flip carefully and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the other side, until golden brown. - Serve: Serve immediately with your favorite toppings like warm maple syrup, butter, fresh berries, or whipped cream.
Tips for Pancake Perfection
· Lumpy Batter is Good Batter: This is the golden rule of pancake making. A few lumps are fine and will cook out.
· Don’t Press the Pancakes: After you flip them, never press down with your spatula. This squeezes out the air bubbles and makes them dense.
· Keep Them Warm: To serve a crowd, keep finished pancakes warm on a baking sheet in a 200°F (95°C) oven while you cook the rest.
· Flavor Variations:
· Blueberry: Sprinkle a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries onto the pancakes right after you pour the batter onto the griddle.
· Chocolate Chip: Add a handful of chocolate chips to the batter.
· Banana Nut: Add sliced bananas and chopped walnuts to the batter.
· Vanilla or Cinnamon: Stir 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon into the wet ingredients.
Enjoy your delicious, homemade, old-fashioned pancakes