Making pancakes from scratch is easier than you think! This guide provides a simple, step-by-step recipe for delicious homemade pancakes that will impress your family and friends. We'll cover everything from ingredient selection to achieving that perfect fluffy texture. Get ready to flip your way to pancake perfection!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe yields approximately 8-10 pancakes, depending on size.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The base of your pancake batter. You can experiment with different flours like whole wheat for a healthier option, but all-purpose works best for a classic pancake.
- 2 tablespoons sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning. Adjust to your preference.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder: The leavening agent that makes your pancakes rise. Make sure it's fresh for best results.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Works with the baking powder for extra lift.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.
- 1 1/4 cups milk: Provides moisture and helps create a tender crumb. You can use any kind of milk – whole milk, skim milk, almond milk, etc. – but whole milk will result in richer, fluffier pancakes.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter: Adds flavor and tenderness. Let it cool slightly before adding to the batter to avoid cooking the egg.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk well to ensure everything is evenly distributed. This prevents clumps in your batter.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and melted butter. Make sure the egg is fully incorporated.
3. Gently Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently with a whisk or spatula. Don't overmix! A few lumps are okay; overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough pancakes. Mix until just combined.
4. Cook the Pancakes: Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium heat. You'll know it's ready when a drop of water sizzles on the surface. Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle for each pancake.
5. Flip the Pancakes: Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Flip when bubbles start to form on the surface and the edges look set.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Serve your pancakes immediately with your favorite toppings! Popular choices include butter, syrup, whipped cream, fresh fruit, chocolate chips, or nuts.
Tips for Perfect Pancakes:
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing leads to tough pancakes.
- Use fresh baking powder: Old baking powder can result in flat pancakes.
- Let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes: This allows the gluten to relax and the baking powder to activate, resulting in fluffier pancakes.
- Adjust the sweetness: Add more or less sugar to suit your taste.
- Experiment with toppings: Get creative with your pancake toppings!
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