How To Make The Best Classic Homemade Pancake and Its Variations

Lets bring the most popular & favorite brunch item to your home kitchen: pancake. The best classic homemade pancake is always an old fashioned one which has a rich flavor and a light, moist texture.

Pancake always reminds me of a good old time I had in college. Back in the day, IHOP was my best friend and most favorite place in town. Why? Where else could I find pancake at any hour of the day? As an all-nighter, I frequently wanted my pancake at midnight. Well, thank you IHOP for keeping up with my unusual craving. My habit was fading overtime and IHOP somehow was on the back of my restaurant references book. And only until I moved to Austin, I actually learned to make the best classic homemade pancake to satisfy my thirst.

Pancake, together with waffle, are usually seen on restaurants' breakfast and brunch menus due to their versatile tastes. But in this quarantine period (thank you Covid-19, I know you're not going any time soon), it might be impossible to enjoy your brunch at your favorite restaurant. So how about making them at home for the entire family? I happen to have the best classic pancake recipe to share with you. So stick around and keep reading.

What to serve with pancake?

Pancake is an excuse for eating butter and maple syrup, together. It is usually served with plain or flavored butter, fruit compote or even chocolate sauce. The good thing about pancake is there is no limit when it comes to pairing food. Just go with your instinct.

Procedure for making the best classic homemade pancake

1. Make the batter and let it rest for few hours or overnight to obtain such light and moist texture.
2. Heat a flat griddle or large saute non-stick pan over medium heat together with clarified butter.
   • Ever wonder why restaurant pancake always taste better then a homemade one somehow? The secret lies between a flat hot griddle pancake dedicated and a regular saute pan. Getting the right equipment will bring your pancake-making skill to the next level.
   • However, if griddle is not an option and saute pan is all you have, make sure it's a non-stick one.
3. Put the pancake batter onto the hot griddle using portion scoop, ladle or plastic squeeze bottle.
   • Squeeze bottle is your best friend in the kitchen. Want to cook like a chef? Get yourself plenty of squeeze bottles. They are not only good for pancake batter, but also BBQ sauce, dressing sauce, or even dipping sauce.
4. Drop the batter apart so no two pancakes will touch each other after the batter spreads.
5. Cook until bubbles appear on the surface, and the bottom of the cake is golden brown.
6. Flip the pancake and cook the second side until it is set and golden brown.
   • Avoid flipping pancake more than once as this action could cause it to deflate and loose the fluffy texture you always want.

Pancake variations

There are plenty of variations come with this pancake recipe. One simple and easy recipe can transform to many different delicious ones:

• Buttermilk pancake - Replace the milk with the same amount of buttermilk then you have another classic, old-fashioned style pancake.
• Berry pancake - Add fresh or frozen berry into the batter then you have fruit style pancake. Any berry you want.
• Apple-pecan pancake - Fold chopped cooked apples, chopped pecans and cinnamon then you have classic savory pancake.

And if pancake and its variations are not enough for your Sunday homemade brunch, how about go for some sister-recipe: Vietnamese style hot dogs? They are not those hot dogs you're thinking of or familiar with, trust me.