If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s how much we love pancakes. This classic comfort food reminds us of weekend mornings with our families and late-night gatherings at the local diner. And, they’re so easy to make. Mix together a few basic ingredients from your pantry, and you’ll have a delicious stack of pancakes on the table in no time.
To enjoy hearty homemade pancakes any time, we’ve put together ideas from simple to indulgent. Whether you like your pancakes as big as your plate, small as silver dollars, or maybe in fun shapes, it all starts with a basic pancake batter recipe.
To get more pancakes on the table faster, use a double burner griddle. Then, it’s time to customize, turning a basic pancake recipe into a new family favorite.
Here Are Seven Pancake Ideas to Get You Started
- Play with powdered sugar. When you cook with fun pancake molds and emoji stencils, use the stencils to add powdered sugar characters to your pancakes!
- Make special syrup. Heat ½ cup (125 ml) maple syrup and ¼ cup (60 mL) leftover cranberry sauce in a small saucepan until warm. Pour Cranberry Syrup over pancakes for postholiday breakfasts.
- Skip the maple syrup. If maple syrup isn’t your jam, top with jelly or jam, peanut butter, Nutella®, chocolate, cream cheese, lemon curd, or drizzle with honey. Or, you could top with your favorite yogurt—that sounds healthy. Skip the butter knife and use a flexible multi-purpose spreader so you can get every last bit out of the jar and scoop nice large amounts.
- Try healthy fruit toppings. Blueberries are a popular pancake topping, especially when they’re in season. But any fresh fruit on pancakes adds nutrition and great taste. Try berries, peaches, bananas, chopped apples, or grilled pineapple. If fresh fruit isn’t available, try frozen or canned fruit, or applesauce.
- Mix and match toppings. We like peanut butter and bananas (like Elvis). The kids might go for PB&J. Or, try it with yogurt and berries. If you roll it up taco style—no fork needed.
- Add a crunchy flavor boost. Common ingredients found in most pantries include nuts, quick homemade granola, chocolate chips, or candy sprinkles. Some great combos: berries and granola; Nutella, bananas, and chocolate chips; honey, pineapple, and toasted coconut. A fall pancake favorite is caramel, apples, and walnuts.
- Let’s just call this dessert. If you have a sweet tooth, add homemade whipped cream with just three ingredients. When you make it at home, you can customize it with your own flavored whipped cream. How about bourbon whipped cream and chopped nuts? Or chocolate whipped cream with a dash of cinnamon and cayenne pepper? For the holidays, why not try peppermint whipped cream topped with crushed candy canes and drizzled with chocolate? Yum! Or, swap out the whipped cream for ice cream. The combos are endless. Add some warm caramel or chocolate ganache and enjoy! If you’re lucky enough to have some leftover hot cocoa on hand, make Ho-Ho Hotcakes using 1 cup (250 mL) of cooled hot cocoa instead of milk in your pancake batter. If the batter is too thick, add a little milk. Top with whipped cream and crushed peppermint candy.
This post has been updated since it was originally published in September 2017.
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