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Pancake Perfection: Tips and Tricks for Fabulous Flapjacks

Do you like pancakes? You will love them once you read these tips and tricks that will make you an expert pancake chef! Learn all about ingredients, mixing, cooking, turning, presentation, storage, reheating and more!

Flour

Fresh flour makes all the difference in the taste and texture of pancakes, because the simpler the recipe, the more important the high-quality ingredients are. So buy flour from a health food store, local mill, or the health food section of the supermarket.

Try using cake flour for super light and fluffy pancakes.

Iron

Test if the iron is hot enough by spraying it with a few drops of water. If the drops dance and sizzle, you’re good to go.

You may want to test the batter and griddle by cooking a test pancake first.

If your pancakes brown on the bottom before bubbles appear on top, the griddle is too hot; Whereas if the top dries before the base is browned, the iron is not hot enough.

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Do not over mix the pancake batter as this develops excess gluten, resulting in gummy pancakes. Overmixing also pops air bubbles out of the batter, which are important for light pancakes.

Cook the pancake batter with baking soda immediately, because the liquid begins to react immediately, and if you wait too long, the batter will flatten out.

Stir dough gently ONLY until just moistened. The remaining small lumps will cook, so don’t worry about them.

Keep in mind that each doneness measures differently, so the dough may need minor adjustments. If the batter seems too thick, dilute it one tablespoon at a time or with milk or buttermilk or water; if it seems too thin and runny, mix with a tablespoon of flour.

Too runny pancake batter equals thin, flat pancakes.

Pancake batter that is too thick means it won’t spread, resulting in thick pancakes with doughy centers.

The consistency of the pancake batter is important, but sometimes unpredictable, as the ingredients, how long the batter sets, and even the weather all affect the batter.

Be aware that smoothies made with wheat flour will thicken on standing.

Pouring pancakes

A ladle is good for pouring pancake batter, but if you use one, be aware that the higher you hold it, the more you risk breaking up air bubbles in the batter. Therefore, hold the ladle close to the surface of the iron.

You want at least an inch of space between the cooked pancakes, so remember when you pour the batter that it will spread.

Use of spatula

Resist the urge to move the pancakes while the first side is cooking, as this will break the seal between the pancake and the cooking surface, which means the pancake will not cook evenly.

Similarly, flip the pancakes only once. The second side never cooks as evenly as the first, and it only takes about half the time to cook as the first.

A thin, wide spatula easily slides under the delicate pancakes and allows you to flip them without tearing them apart.

Lift just the edge of a pancake with a spatula to see if it is browned and ready to flip.

Flip gently, don’t throw your pancakes sky high unless you want them to stick to the ceiling or floor!

After flipping, cook 1-2 more minutes.

NEVER hit the pancakes with the spatula.

Leftover pancakes and reheating

Freeze leftover pancakes in airtight plastic bags.

Reheat pancakes in a toaster, toaster oven, or regular oven at 350 degrees for 5 to 10 minutes. If using the oven, first place the pancakes in a single layer on a foil lined baking sheet.

Reheating pancakes in a microwave is not recommended as it tends to make them hard.

Pancake mixes

If you like to eat pancakes frequently, make your own mix to keep on hand. Just mix up the dry ingredients from your favorite recipe and store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Tips for presenting pancakes

Make pancakes evenly sized and place securely in serving platter (kept warm in oven).

Heat the dishes and the syrup and butter.

Heat the syrup in a small microwave-safe pitcher for 15-30 seconds.

Serve the pancakes with the prettiest sides facing up.

Garnish the pancakes with a little powdered sugar, cocoa, fresh fruit slices, or nuts.

Warm honey syrup

Heat the honey to the boiling point and it becomes thin and pourable, a deliciously different pancake syrup.

Creative pancakes with “letters”

Fill a sealable plastic bag with pancake batter (or use a squeeze bottle), poke a hole in the corner of the bag, and squeeze out the batter, writing letters to spell your child’s name or initials.

Note: The size of the hole will determine the size of the letters on the pancake.

Top pancakes

Sometimes all you need to make a great pancake, an amazing pancake is the right topping. Get creative and you just might discover the best pancake topping ever.

Stir over the maple syrup. Time to try something new!

Below you will find a selection of Delicious Pancake Topping Suggestions:

Canned fruit tart fillings

Jam (microwave and stir, this makes a nice, pourable consistency).

Dear

Whipped cream

Chocolate syrup

Candy

caramel sauce

Peanut butter

Frozen

Cream cheese (don’t forget all the flavored varieties!)

curd

Just sprinkle with powdered sugar or cocoa. You could even use a simple template (snowflake, heart, star, etc.) for a stunning effect!

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