I have a confession: Before last Thursday, I was convinced that I couldn't cook pancakes.
I was totally ashamed. It didn't matter whether I used a mix or made pancakes from scratch; they always came out the same - too thick and dry in the center. I didn't like to eat them, and I never talked about my failing.
I really like pancakes. I like the pancakes that Joe makes, and I like the ones I get when we're out. McDonald's has great pancakes, and so does the Summit Restaurant where I like to eat with my parents.
Last Thursday, Grace asked me to make her a pancake. An extra-large bag of pancake mix taunted me in the pantry , a formidable opponent. With a sigh, I heaved it up onto the counter.
Following the instructions precisely, I measured out the mix and the water, wisked them together. The resulting liquid had the consistency of cake batter. Looking for a little extra nutrition, I chopped a handful of pecans and tossed them into the batter with a few large spoonfuls of applesauce.
I preheated a skillet on the stove on medium-low heat. I tossed in a skiff of real butter, waited for it to melt, and then used my cupcake scoop to put a dollop of batter into the skillet.
The pancake puffed up high, exactly what I was dreading.
I made a few more pancakes, and then realized that the batter was getting thicker with each scoop.
I think it was because I had the batter sitting in a stainless steel mixing bowl on the stove, but that's just a guess.
Anyway, I added a scoopful of water to my batter, whisked it again, and went back to making pancakes.
All of a sudden, my pancakes were coming out just how I like them! They were thin and light and moist. I almost couldn't believe it.
The difference between thick pancakes and thin pancakes is more water in the batter.
I took a picture so that you could see the difference. There was a huge difference.
Both Grace and I preferred the thin pancakes, but I imagine that some people like the thick ones better. Now you know how to get both results!
Ambar says
This is so funny! I like my pancakes to be really thick and dry, and usually cooked them the other way around. We should bake pancakes for each other, LOL. My dad taught me how to do them properly [ahemm, at least for me :)]. The trick is to add milk instead of water, and eggs, no matter if it's a "ready-mix". So then, they turn out really thick, just like a normal cake would do. You have no idea all the things I put in them with all that space! Pecans, nuts, bananas, chocolate, strawberry, blueberries, you name it. I'm glad you were able to cook them how you like 'em.
.-= Ambar´s last blog ..Saturday Image =-.
Ambar says
This is so funny! I like my pancakes to be really thick and dry, and usually cooked them the other way around. We should bake pancakes for each other, LOL. My dad taught me how to do them properly [ahemm, at least for me :)]. The trick is to add milk instead of water, and eggs, no matter if it's a "ready-mix". So then, they turn out really thick, just like a normal cake would do. You have no idea all the things I put in them with all that space! Pecans, nuts, bananas, chocolate, strawberry, blueberries, you name it. I'm glad you were able to cook them how you like 'em.
.-= Ambar´s last blog ..Saturday Image =-.
Dawn (Painter Mommy) says
I am definitely trying this. My pancakes always seem like they are too thick and then you feel like you are choking. I can't wait to try the water trick!
DAWN
Shannanb aka Mommy Bits says
Thanks for the tip. I always struggle with pancakes. They are are evil... but tasty!
.-= Shannanb aka Mommy Bits´s last blog ..Mouthwatering Monday - Easy White Chicken Chili =-.
Robyns Online World says
I love thin pancakes - when they soak up the syrup they sort of fall apart even. I'm guessing since more water in the batter that means they can't absorb as much - makes sense now. Thanks so much for the tip!
.-= Robyns Online World´s last blog ..Spotlight on PR =-.
Stacie says
Thank you for sharing your secret. I prefer the thin pancakes. In fact now you got me craving pancakes. Thanks. LOL I think I will have to make these for breakfast sometime this week.
.-= Stacie´s last blog ..New Yoplait Winner =-.
Stacie says
Thank you for sharing your secret. I prefer the thin pancakes. In fact now you got me craving pancakes. Thanks. LOL I think I will have to make these for breakfast sometime this week.
.-= Stacie´s last blog ..New Yoplait Winner =-.
angie says
through experience I have learned to make desirable pancakes
.-= angie´s last blog ..Happy Homemaker Monday =-.
angie says
through experience I have learned to make desirable pancakes
.-= angie´s last blog ..Happy Homemaker Monday =-.
Lisa@Blessedwithgrace says
Those pancakes do look wonderful. I bought some pancake mix, today, after I saw your post title, earlier today. SO, we shall see. I am not that good either.
.-= Lisa@Blessedwithgrace´s last blog ..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday....Fun in the Kitchen =-.
Dawn (Painter Mommy) says
I am definitely trying this. My pancakes always seem like they are too thick and then you feel like you are choking. I can't wait to try the water trick!
DAWN
Shannanb aka Mommy Bits says
Thanks for the tip. I always struggle with pancakes. They are are evil... but tasty!
.-= Shannanb aka Mommy Bits´s last blog ..Mouthwatering Monday - Easy White Chicken Chili =-.
Robyn's Online World says
I love thin pancakes - when they soak up the syrup they sort of fall apart even. I'm guessing since more water in the batter that means they can't absorb as much - makes sense now. Thanks so much for the tip!
.-= Robyns Online World´s last blog ..Spotlight on PR =-.
Lisa@Blessedwithgrace says
Those pancakes do look wonderful. I bought some pancake mix, today, after I saw your post title, earlier today. SO, we shall see. I am not that good either.
.-= Lisa@Blessedwithgrace´s last blog ..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday....Fun in the Kitchen =-.
The Desperate Cook says
Yum....pancakes...yours look so good. I should of made pancakes for breakfast, now I will think about them all day.
.-= The Desperate Cook´s last blog ..Hot Peppers with House Dressing =-.
The Desperate Cook says
Yum....pancakes...yours look so good. I should of made pancakes for breakfast, now I will think about them all day.
.-= The Desperate Cook´s last blog ..Hot Peppers with House Dressing =-.
Christi at A Southern Life says
I kind of like mine thick. Thanks for the tip. Your pancakes look great!
Christi
.-= Christi at A Southern Life´s last blog ..Southern Pork Kabobs =-.
Christi at A Southern Life says
I kind of like mine thick. Thanks for the tip. Your pancakes look great!
Christi
.-= Christi at A Southern Life´s last blog ..Southern Pork Kabobs =-.
Brenda says
My family likes them thick too, but I know you have to be careful not to overmix them as well. That can make a difference.
.-= Brenda´s last blog ..Easiest Mint Brownies/TMTT =-.
darnold23 says
Another secret is to leave them alone until they are all bubbly and somewhat dry on top. Many people tend to manhandle them to death!Thanks so much for sharing. I hope you will join me at diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com for Crock Pot Wednesdays. The giveaways this weeks are really great!
.-= darnold23´s last blog ..IT'S HERE! WELCOME TO CROCK POT WEDNESDAY =-.
darnold23 says
Another secret is to leave them alone until they are all bubbly and somewhat dry on top. Many people tend to manhandle them to death!Thanks so much for sharing. I hope you will join me at diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com for Crock Pot Wednesdays. The giveaways this weeks are really great!
.-= darnold23´s last blog ..IT'S HERE! WELCOME TO CROCK POT WEDNESDAY =-.
Farrah from Wife and Mom of 3 says
Yeah for you! I prefer mine not too thick yet not too thin. Want to know the secret to mouth watering pancakes?! Add a little sugar, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and melted butter to the batter. MMM
Tammy says
I have a pancake maker - I love it I picked it up at K-Mart for $5.00 for a blue light special - one of the best money I've ever spent - I have the best pancake recipe too - you can view it here:
http://www.threedifferentdirections.com/2008/11/breakfast-for-supper.html
.-= Tammy´s last blog ..CSN Stores Review =-.
rachel-asouthernfairytale says
I like fluffy pancakes 😉 and I always add applesauce, a dash of vanilla and cinnamon to mine 😉
YUM!
rachel-asouthernfairytale says
I like fluffy pancakes 😉 and I always add applesauce, a dash of vanilla and cinnamon to mine 😉
YUM!
Brenda says
My family likes them thick too, but I know you have to be careful not to overmix them as well. That can make a difference.
.-= Brenda´s last blog ..Easiest Mint Brownies/TMTT =-.
Farrah from Wife and Mom of 3 says
Yeah for you! I prefer mine not too thick yet not too thin. Want to know the secret to mouth watering pancakes?! Add a little sugar, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and melted butter to the batter. MMM
Tammy says
I have a pancake maker - I love it I picked it up at K-Mart for $5.00 for a blue light special - one of the best money I've ever spent - I have the best pancake recipe too - you can view it here:
http://www.threedifferentdirections.com/2008/11/breakfast-for-supper.html
.-= Tammy´s last blog ..CSN Stores Review =-.
impress your kids says
Pancakes pancakes pancakes! Now I'm really hungry! That's good to know. I haven't made pancakes in forever. Thanks for the tip!