National Pancake Day is September 26

Jack up your stack with these simple pancake tips  

From the LifeMinute.TV Team

September 6, 2023

Sift
Sifting the dry mix will help reduce clumps, resulting in lighter, softer pancakes. Hold the sieve at least 18 inches above the bowl to maximize results.

Butter Up
Add melted butter to the batter. One tablespoon for each cup of dry mix can turn flat, bland pancakes into moist deliciousness. 

Replace Water for Whole Milk or Seltzer
Milk will up the fat content, resulting in more tender pancakes. When heated, carbonated bubbles in the seltzer will expand, achieving a soft, fluffier flapjack. Keep the fizzy water cold since there are more bubbles in cold water vs. room temperature water. You can also use another bubbly leavening agent, such as carbonated ginger ale or beer.

Dash in Spice or Extract
Spice up your batter with cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamon. Or try almond or vanilla extract to enhance the flavor. You only need ½ teaspoon per cup of pancake mix. 

Add-Ins
Jack up your stack by folding in unique flavors (not too many, or it can weigh down the batter), such as ricotta cheese, pureed pumpkin, creamed corn, a few handfuls of butterscotch chips, or a dash of whisky. Typically, ½ cup to 1 cup of cheese to 1-2 cups of pancake mix should work. Add a 14.75-ounce can of creamed corn or ½ cup of puree to about 1 ½ cups of mix.

Don’t Overmix
You want flapjacks that rise more evenly with an airy, tender texture. Overmixing can deflate the air bubbles created by the leavening agent and lead to gluten development, resulting in dense and chewy pancakes, which is not the texture you should aim for. After mixing, let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes too.

Scoop and Griddle
For more evenly shaped results, use an ice cream scoop. Try a ¼ cup scoop for medium-sized pancakes. A griddle pan should produce a golden brown flapjack cooked through without burning. If you don’t have one, try a cast-iron skillet. Use oil (like canola or vegetable) to grease your pan. Butter has a low smoke point and burns quickly. And make sure to pre heat your grill, make sure it’s hot and ready before pouring the batter in. 

Top It Off
Complete your pancakes with a scrumptious pièce de resistance topping, like lemon curd with chopped pecans, a dollop of Nutella, or a fried chicken tender drizzled with maple syrup. These will add texture and exceptional flavor.