American pancake recipe holds the keys to a breakfast classic loved by many around the world. These fluffy, golden, and buttery delights are often served with syrup, butter, and other delicious toppings.
While pancakes have been a popular breakfast food for centuries, American-style pancakes are distinct from other pancake varieties in their thickness, fluffiness, and use of baking powder to create a light texture. The origin of American pancakes can be traced back to the early settlers in America, who adapted the recipe from European pancake recipes.
Today, American pancakes are a staple breakfast food in many households and restaurants across the United States and beyond. In this article, we’ll explore the history and popularity of American pancakes, as well as provide tips, tricks, and recipe variations to help you make the perfect pancakes at home.
Whether you’re a seasoned pancake lover or new to this breakfast classic, there’s something for everyone to learn and enjoy about American pancakes.
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American Pancake Recipe
Ingredients for the American Pancake Recipe
- 3 large free-range eggs
- 115 g plain flour
- 1 heaped teaspoon of baking powder
- 140 ml of milk
Optional ingredients for additional flavour or texture:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup blueberries, chocolate chips, or other add-ins
Instructions on How to Prepare the American Pancake Recipe
- First, separate the eggs, putting the whites in one bowl and the yolks in another.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and milk to the yolks and mix to a smooth, thick batter.
- Whisk the whites with 1 pinch of sea salt until they form stiff peaks, then fold into the batter – it is now ready to use.
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat, pour some of the batter into the pan, and cook for a couple of minutes or until it starts to look golden and firm.
- At this point, sprinkle your chosen flavouring onto the uncooked side before loosening it with a spatula and flipping the pancake over. Continue frying until both sides are golden.
- You can make these pancakes large or small, depending on what you prefer. Serve them with a drizzle of maple syrup or even with some butter or crème fraîche. If you choose to sprinkle with a flavouring, try fresh corn from the cob, crispy bacon or pancetta, blueberries, banana, stewed apple, grated chocolate, – anything else you can imagine.
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Tips and Tricks for Making Fluffy Pancakes
1. Preheat your pan or griddle
Make sure to preheat your pan or griddle over medium heat for at least 5 minutes before adding the pancake batter. This will ensure that the pancakes cook evenly and don’t stick to the pan.
2. Use the right amount of batter
Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop the batter onto the pan. This will ensure that the pancakes are all the same size and cook evenly.
3. Don’t overmix the batter
Overmixing the batter can result in tough and flat pancakes. Mix the batter until the ingredients are just combined and a few lumps remain.
4. Let the batter rest
Letting the batter rest for 10-15 minutes allows the gluten to relax, resulting in fluffier and more tender pancakes.
5. Use baking powder
Baking powder is essential for creating fluffy pancakes. Make sure your baking powder is fresh and not expired for the best results.
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Easy Pancake Recipe
Ingredients for Easy Pancake Recipe
- 100g plain flour
- 2 large eggs
- 300ml milk
- 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil, plus a little extra for frying
- lemon wedges to serve (optional)
- caster sugar to serve (optional)
Instructions for preparation of the Easy Pancake Recipe
- Put 100g plain flour, 2 large eggs, 300 ml milk, 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil, and a pinch of salt into a bowl or large jug, then whisk to a smooth batter.
- Set aside for 30 mins to rest if you have time, or start cooking straight away.
Set a medium frying pan or crêpe pan over medium heat and carefully wipe it with some oiled kitchen paper. - When hot, cook your pancakes for 1 min on each side until golden, keeping them warm in a low oven as you go.
- Serve with lemon wedges and caster sugar or your favourite filling. Once cold, you can layer the pancakes between baking parchment, then wrap them in cling film and freeze them for up to 2 months.
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American Pancake Serving Suggestions
American pancakes are delicious on their own, but they’re even better when paired with a variety of toppings and sides. Here are some classic and creative serving suggestions to take your pancakes to the next level:
- Classic toppings
Butter and syrup are classic pancake toppings that never go out of style. You can also try honey, whipped cream, or jam.
- Fresh fruit
Add some fresh fruit to your pancakes for a burst of flavour and nutrition. Strawberries, blueberries, bananas, and raspberries are all excellent options.
- Nut butter
Peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter are all delicious options to spread on top of your pancakes.
- Chocolate and sweets
Chocolate chips, caramel sauce, and whipped cream are all indulgent toppings that can turn your pancakes into a dessert.
- Savoury toppings
If you prefer a savoury breakfast, try topping your pancakes with eggs, bacon, sausage, or avocado.
- Sides
Serve your pancakes with a side of bacon, sausage links, or ham. Hash browns, roasted potatoes, or fresh fruit salad are also great options.
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American Pancake Recipe with Buttermilk
Ingredients for the American Pancake Recipe With Buttermilk
- 350g/12oz self-raising flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp. caster sugar
- 200ml/7fl oz buttermilk
- 400ml/14fl oz semi-skimmed milk
- 2 free-range eggs
- 85g/3oz unsalted butter melted, plus extra for frying
- 12 rashers smoked streaky bacon
- 50ml/2fl oz maple syrup
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Instructions for the Preparation of the American Pancake Recipe With Buttermilk
- In a bowl, sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt, and sugar.
- In a separate bowl or jug, mix together the buttermilk, milk, eggs, and butter. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Do not overbeat – stir just to combine.
- Melt a small knob of butter in a large frying pan. Using a ladle, pour some batter into the pan to make a pancake. Depending on the size of the pan, you may be able to make more than one pancake at a time, or if you are confident, you can use two pans at the same time.
- Cook the pancakes for about a minute or until the underside is golden brown and the top is bubbling. Turn them over using a palette knife or fish slice and cook for another minute. Keep the pancakes warm in a very low oven while you cook the remaining batter.
- Meanwhile, preheat the grill to medium–hot. Lay the bacon on a grill tray lined with foil and brush with some of the maple syrup. Grill until one side of the bacon is crisp. Turn over and brush the other side with maple syrup and cook until crisp.
- Serve the pancakes stacked on top of each other, topped with grilled bacon and drizzled with maple syrup.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, American pancakes are a delicious and easy breakfast staple that can be customized to suit any taste. By following the tips and tricks for cooking perfect pancakes, using high-quality ingredients, and experimenting with different toppings and sides, you can create a memorable pancake experience that your family and friends will love.
To summarize, here are some final thoughts and recommendations for the perfect pancake experience:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best results.
- Follow the tips and tricks for cooking fluffy, golden pancakes every time.
- Experiment with different toppings and sides to find your perfect combination.
- Don’t be afraid to get creative with flavours and textures.
- Enjoy your pancakes with family and friends for a memorable breakfast experience.
Whether you’re making classic buttermilk pancakes or trying out new flavour combinations, pancakes are a versatile and delicious breakfast option that is sure to satisfy you. So, get out your griddle, whip up some batter, and start flipping those pancakes!
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FAQs for the American Pancake Recipe
What is the trick to making pancakes fluffy?
Don’t overmix the batter
Let the batter rest
Separate and beat white eggs
Don’t flip until you see bubbles
Flip only once
Why are my American pancakes not fluffy?
Stir your batter until the dry and wet ingredients are just incorporated. That means mixing until the flour streaks have disappeared but leaving the pesky lumps. “If you over-mix, the gluten will develop from the flour in your batter, making your pancakes chewy instead of fluffy”
What is the difference between pancakes and American pancakes?
The difference between the two is a raising agent. The British-style pancakes served on Shrove Tuesday don’t use one, whereas the breakfast variety served in the US does – typically baking powder, whipped egg white, or both.
