Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

FAQs

What makes pancakes fluffy and helps them rise? ›

Pancakes and waffles typically both contain baking soda, which causes them to rise. As soon as the baking soda is combined with the wet ingredients (which contain an acidic ingredient, like often buttermilk), it starts producing carbon dioxide gas bubbles that cause the batter to rise.

Restaurants use better quality ingredients

However, along with that ease, you may be taking a hit in the overall taste department. Restaurants tend to use real, farm-fresh eggs and real milk when making their pancakes, which as you might guess, adds to a richer, higher-quality eating experience.

Overmixing the batter

If you mix the batter too much, you knock all of the air bubbles out and your pancakes won't rise very well, resulting in a gummy texture. Mix it until it just comes together and no more. Another cause of gummy pancakes is leaving the batter to sit for too long before frying.

Milk helps make pancakes fluffier than water. Since milk is thicker than water, it creates a thicker batter. Further, if you use whole milk or low fat milk, the fat content helps yield tender, fluffy results.

Baking powder, like baking soda, is a chemical leavening agent made with sodium bicarbonate (aka baking soda) plus a weak acid, such as potassium bitartrate. Baking soda is essential for baked goods, but baking powder is really what makes pancakes and biscuits rise and become so super fluffy.

Note that mayonnaise contains eggs and oil, so it can replace oil or butter as well. This trick may not work as an egg replacement for an allergy or egg-free diet (unless it's a vegan mayo) but it works for those who don't have eggs on hand in a pinch.

Adding baking powder is the easiest way to make fluffy pancakes. There's more than one way to make the bubbles that make a pancake fluffy, but the easiest way is by adding a raising agent such as baking powder.

Not to be outdone, IHOP shares that real buttermilk is a key ingredient in its classic pancakes. Classic, whole ingredients are usually the best starting place for better hotcakes, but it's more and more common to see cheaper fillers like cornstarch and the use of shortening instead of butter.

Why is the first pancake often so ugly that it gets tossed? Pancake experts say that there are some possible reasons, including the amount of butter being used, the temperature of the heating surface, and so on. Perhaps the first one is a "tester." Once it is made, the next batches will be fine.

What happens if you add an extra egg to pancake mix? ›

A word of caution though — if you add too many eggs you'll end up with a loose pancake batter that will need to be balanced with more pancake mix. If you're vegan or allergic to eggs, there are a few ingredients you can use to substitute an egg.

A – If you are going to let your batter rest, leave it for at least 30 minutes in the fridge. If you've got time, leave it for longer – even overnight in the fridge. Some say that there is no point in letting the batter rest and there's certainly no harm in using it straight away. Go ahead if you're in a rush.

Avoid High Heat

Mortillaro explains that high heat results in uneven cooking as it burns the outside while leaving the inside batter raw. "This is because the high heat does not allow enough time for the heat from the pan and oil to penetrate to the center of the pancake," she says.

Making good pancakes depends on three key factors: mixing the batter to the right consistency, heating the griddle properly and recognizing when to turn the cakes. Whether making pancake batter from scratch or from a packaged mix, stir it just enough to moisten the dry ingredients.

Over mixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough and dense pancakes. Let the batter rest before cooking it, about 5-10 minutes is enough if you have mixed correctly. While it rests, the flour absorbs the liquids, the lumps will smooth out somewhat and the gluten has a chance to relax.

Can I Use Water Instead of Milk in Pancakes? Milk adds both flavor and texture to pancake batter, so if you are looking to make pancakes without milk, a simple swap to water doesn't always do the trick. For pancakes made without milk, you'll want to add some flavor through melted butter and vanilla extract.