Are you ready to elevate your pancake game? Forget those flat, lifeless breakfast cakes! This recipe uses a secret ingredient – heavy whipping cream – to create pancakes so fluffy and tender, they'll melt in your mouth. It's a simple upgrade that delivers unbelievably delicious results, perfect for a weekend brunch or a cozy weeknight breakfast. This recipe is part of our collection of easy recipes and quick dinner ideas, designed to make delicious, homemade cooking accessible to everyone. Get ready for the best pancakes you've ever tasted!
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 large egg
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for greasing the pan)
Instructions:
Step 1: Preparing the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps. This ensures even baking and a light, fluffy texture in your pancakes.
Step 2: Combining Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy whipping cream, egg, and melted butter until well combined. The heavy cream adds richness and incredible fluffiness to the batter, making these pancakes truly special.
Step 3: Gently Combining Wet and Dry
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, whisking gently until just combined. Don't overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough pancakes. A few lumps are okay.
Step 4: Cooking the Pancakes
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium heat. Pour ¼ cup of batter onto the hot surface for each pancake. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Step 5: Serving and Enjoying
Serve your fluffy pancakes immediately with your favorite toppings! Consider fresh fruit, maple syrup, whipped cream (more!), chocolate chips, or a dollop of yogurt.
Cooking Tips for Perfect Pancakes:
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing leads to tough pancakes. Mix until just combined.
- Let the batter rest: Allowing the batter to rest for 5-10 minutes before cooking allows the gluten to relax, resulting in even fluffier pancakes.
- Adjust the heat: If your pancakes are browning too quickly, reduce the heat. If they're taking too long to cook, increase the heat.
- Use a good quality pan: A non-stick pan will make cooking much easier and prevent sticking.
Variations:
- Blueberry Pancakes: Fold in ½ cup of fresh or frozen blueberries to the batter.
- Chocolate Chip Pancakes: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the batter.
- Banana Pancakes: Mash one ripe banana and add it to the wet ingredients.
Nutritional Information (per pancake, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 150-200 (depending on toppings)
- Fat: Approximately 8-10g
- Protein: Approximately 4-5g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 20-25g
This recipe provides a delicious and relatively healthy breakfast or brunch option. Remember that nutritional information can vary depending on the specific ingredients used and portion sizes. Enjoy your fluffy, luxurious pancakes!