Light and Fluffy Pancakes

A pancake recipe perfected by the pancake obsessed (me) for light and fluffy pancakes that don't require any fancy ingredients (I'm looking at you, buttermilk).

Light and Fluffy Pancakes

Pancakes are probably one of my favorite foods. I have celebrated many birthdays at diners instead of formal restaurants just to get my pancake fix. I've also tried many recipes and methods in search of the perfect homemade variety. This means that my poor husband has eaten more than his fair share of awful to mediocre pancakes over the course of our relationship (sorry!). The biggest issue I struggled with was pancake density, my pancakes were always thin and dense, nothing like the delightful pancakes thousands of half-decent diners across the country pump out everyday. I did a bit of research and came across two methods to combat this issue: carbonated water and buttermilk. These ingredients make good pancakes, but they require that you plan ahead, no rolling out of bed on Saturday morning and whipping up some quick pancakes from your pantry. This all changed when I came across a recipe that didn't require any special ingredients and yielded fluffy pancakes. The secret(s)? Pseudo-buttermilk (aka milk + white vinegar) and two leaveners (both baking soda and baking powder).

Egg and vanilla, milk and vinegar, and the dry ingredients.

The pseudo-buttermilk provides acidity that reacts with the leaveners producing carbon dioxide bubbles aka 'fluffiness'. This recipe gave me the texture I was looking for, but not quite the right flavor. After eating the best pancakes I'd ever made (to date), we discussed the recipe and decided to halve the salt and add a bit of vanilla to up the flavor. The result was the best pancakes I'd ever made (to date)! This became our go-to recipe! That is, until one day when I forgot to add the butter...

Bubbles forming in the batter.

And our minds were blown. This was our new go-to, quick and easy Saturday morning pancake recipe. It comes together in minutes and completely satisfies my all too frequent pancake craving (and has probably saved us hundreds in diner checks!).

Give it a try! I promise you'll never buy Bisquick again and I hope this becomes your go-to recipe. Happy cooking!

Light and Fluffy Pancakes Recipe

by Smoke & Vanilla, adapted from allrecipes.com


This recipe yields about 2 cups of batter or four ½c pancakes, enough to satisfy two adults when served with additional breakfast sides (eggs, bacon, etc.). It can be easily doubled, tripled, etc. as necessary.

Yield: 2 servings
Prep time: 00:10
Cook time: 00:15
Total time: 00:25

Ingredients:
¾c milk
2T white vinegar
1c all-purpose flour
2T white sugar
1t baking powder
½t baking soda
¼t salt
1 egg
1t pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Mix milk and white vinegar and set aside for 5 minutes. 
2. Whisk together dry ingredients.
3. Mix egg and vanilla extract with milk and vinegar mixture.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients and whisk just until lumps are gone. Many pancake recipes suggest you leave the batter lumpy, but it's best to get rid of the lumps here. The batter will be pretty thick.
5. Heat non-stick pan or griddle over medium to medium-low heat (depending your stove). I wait until the batter is mixed to heat the pan because it gives the batter time to react; you should see bubbles forming in the bowl.
6. Lubricate your pan (*see tips below). Use ½c measuring cup for each pancake. Flip when the sides start to look dry, after about 2-3 minutes. 
7. Top with butter and syrup and enjoy!

Tips:

• Unless you have a large griddle and/or four non-stick pans, throw a plate into your oven and preheat oven at its lowest setting when you start. It'll keep the cooked pancakes warm until you're done.
• There are many options for pan lubricants. I like to melt a bit of butter and spread it evenly in the pan using a pastry brush, but a quick spritz of non-stick spray will work too.
• Heat your syrup before serving! Pour a bit of syrup into a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high in 10 or 15 second increments until heated through.

Do you love pancakes as much as I do? Are you excited to give this recipe a try? Have you already tried it out? We'd love to hear from you in the comments!