How to Make the Perfect Pancakes

Whether sweet or savory, making pancakes can be a great activity to get the whole family involved. Have you ever heard of Shrove Tuesday? I hadn't until I started watching an Irish TV show. Shrove Tuesday is also called Pancake Day. Who knew? 
Pancake Day is the day before Lent commences, a Christian festival which sees people fasting and giving up rich food. It is traditional for those involved to use all their 'bad' foods up in recipes on Shrove Tuesday, hence the idea of serving pancakes with a wide range of fillings. It's always exciting for me to learn about a new cultural tradition. Even if you are just making Saturday morning pancakes or pancakes for brunch, these tips to make the perfect pancakes will still help. 

How to Make the Perfect Pancake

There are traditionally two types of pancakes – Scotch and English. Scotch pancakes contain a self-raising agent, which makes them fuller and thicker. They also tend to be smaller in diameter compared to English pancakes. Often served with jam and cream, the Scotch pancake is usually served at breakfast or teatime in Scotland.

Our American pancakes more closely resemble the Scotch pancakes. We like our pancakes fluffy and thick!

English pancakes are thinner and bigger. They are often served with lemon and sugar or filled and rolled. They do not contain any raising agents. Cheese, mince, and spinach are excellent savory fillings for the English pancake. These remind me more of a crepe. 

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Basic Pancake Recipe

Yield: 4

Author: Rachel Teodoro

Prep time: 5 Min Cook time: 8 Min Total time: 13 M

Delicious basic pancake recipe that can be whipped up quickly and easily for the best homemade pancakes!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup of milk (or milk alternative)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil 

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, butter (or oil), and egg. Add dry ingredients to milk mixture; whisk until just moistened (do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine).
3. Heat a large skillet (nonstick or cast-iron) or griddle over medium. Use a pad of butter to grease the pan.
4. Spoon or pour 2-3 tablespoons of batter onto skillet. Cook until the surface of the pancake has bubbles and then flip. 

Created using The Recipes Generator

Delicious basic pancake variations

Add buttermilk in the place of milk 
You can also use whole wheat flour to make a healthier pancake

Pancake add-ins

• chopped bacon
• blueberries
• raspberries
• chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup applesauce and cinnamon
• 1/3 cup pumpkin puree and 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Funny story, my youngest son was spending the night with a friend and told me he had no idea that pancakes came from a box. Making homemade pancakes is so quick and easy you won't go back to the boxed mix ever again!

If I want to take pancake mix with me {in the same way box mixed is convenient}, I simply put all the dry ingredients in a Ziploc bag measured out and pack the wet ingredients separately. It's just that easy!

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