Pancakes make a perfect breakfast, but making perfect pancakes can be tricky. There are a few easy tips to follow that will help one avoid the most common pitfalls and challenges that have stumped even the best chefs. Transform the perfect pancake from myth to plate with careful preparation, a little patience, and these simple steps.
As with any food, making the perfect pancake begins with high-quality ingredients. Baking powder should be refreshed every six months to ensure the leavening agents are working at an optimal level. Old baking powder can create droopy, heavy pancakes that refuse to rise. Flour and sugar should be no more than a year old to assure freshness, and milk and eggs should be used within a few days of purchase.
Mix the ingredients until the flour is moist, stopping before the batter is free of lumps. Over mixing can cause the batter to get runny, causing the finished product to more resemble crepes than pancakes. The lumps may be disconcerting to some, but they will disperse while cooking.
The burner or electric skillet heat should be set on medium for slow, even cooking. Many people think that turning the heat up to high is an acceptable way to decrease cooking time as long as they watch the food as it cooks, but this is absolutely not true. High heat is a sure way to evaporate or burn the oil used to grease the skillet or griddle. Make sure the surface is sufficiently heated before you pour the batter, otherwise the pancakes will cook unevenly or can stick to the pan. To make sure the right temperature is reached, sprinkle a drop of water on the surface. If it sizzles, it is ready.
Patience is a virtue, and one that is important in pancake making. Flipping the pancake too soon can cause it to under cook or, worse yet, fall apart. Wait until the upper side of the pancake is bubbly and then wait for those bubbles to burst before taking the spatula out. Remember, the perfect pancake is a work of art that cannot be rushed.
The final stage in making perfect pancakes is finding the right toppings. Skimping on cheap imitation syrups or using fruit that is past its prime can turn a beautiful breakfast into a nightmare. Try heating real maple syrup mixed with butter on the stove or in the microwave until the butter melts and the two are incorporated. Pour the heated syrup and butter over golden brown pancakes to turn breakfast into a dream come true.
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