Pancakes!

We'll start simple, basic: breakfast! Seriously, you can't go wrong with this ultra-easy pancake recipe. This comes from one of the cookbooks on my shelf - the Better Homes and Gardens recipe binder my mother gave me when I moved out. I always have to make a double recipe, even when it is just me and the husband! This base recipe can be altered to your liking by sprinkling your favorite additions (like chocolate chips or pecans) into the batter or directly to the pancake once it's first poured on the griddle.

My favorite twist to these? Smear them with peanut butter (creamy!) while they're hot, pour on the maple syrup, and chow down!

1 Cup all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 Cup milk
2 Tablespoons veggie oil

Combine all dry ingredients in large mixing bowl. In smaller mixing bowl, stir together eggs, milk, and oil; add to dry ingredients all at once. [If you want to make a full batch of all one flavor, add that in here, too! If you want to make various pancakes, save the additions on the side!] Stir together until mixed, but still slightly lumpy.

Lightly grease griddle or skillet with butter. When heated, pour 1/4 Cup batter onto pan for standard size pancakes or roughly 1 Tablespoon batter for dollar-size pancakes. [If you are, like me, making many kinds of pancakes, this is when you add the toppings. Gently sprinkle the nuts or chocolate or dried fruit over the batter on the griddle.] When batter has bubbly texture and slightly dry edges, flip with spatula until underside is lightly brown.

While still warm, spread layer of butter on top of pancake. The butter will melt into the pancake for added flavor. [When the butter is soaked in, I spread a layer of peanut butter on top and let it melt in, too.] Stack as many high as you can eat and pour syrup atop.

Makes:

  About 9 Standard Size Pancakes

  About 36 Dollar-Size Pancakes

Usually, when I want pancakes, I make this recipe, however, I must admit, when I am out and about for breakfast (and I'm not munching on their French toast), I'm enjoying the red velvet pancakes from IHOP. They really are pretty good! Just needs a big glass of milk to help cut all the sweetness! I know that  everyone loves pancakes in some form or another, so tell me: what's your favorite variation?