These old fashioned pancakes offer no shortcuts to ensure you get the lightest, fluffiest, and most flavorful buttermilk pancakes you have ever savored for breakfast! But don't worry, that doesn't mean they are hard to make, they are just delicious to eat!
Most of us have fond memories of our moms making us pancakes for breakfast. She would wake up early, painstakingly open the box of Bisquick, lovingly add water, and stir. Mmm, mmm, where did she find the time?!? Ok, I am not talking about THOSE good old fashioned pancakes. I am talking about the good old-fashioned pancakes grandma used to make that were incredibly light and fluffy and full of flavor! No box mix can touch the flavor of this recipe.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- All purpose flour
- White Sugar - Malted milk powder was often used in old fashioned panacke recipes and it still used by many restaurants and diners. It makes a great substitute for sugar while adding another layer of flavor.
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Eggs
- Buttermilk - You can substitute milk instead. Whole milk is the best substitute, but any milk is fine. You can even add a little lemon juice to the milk to replicate the tanginess of buttermilk.
- Butter - I prefer strictly butter, but you can also use a mixture of olive oil as well.
How to make them
The first secret to perfecting old fashioned buttermilk pancakes begins by separating the egg yolk from the whites. You need to whisk the egg whites in a small bowl until stiff peaks are formed, ideally with a hand mixer unless you enjoy torturing yourself. The reason for this will be explained shortly.
With the exception of the egg whites, combine the wet and dry ingredients in separate large bowls. Wet batter ingredients include egg yolks, buttermilk, and melted butter. Once each is properly mixed combine the two bowls together.
The next secret is to leave the batter lumpy. Stir your mixture to combine the wet and dry ingredients but only stir enough to ensure everything is mingled. The lumps will work themselves out and result in a lighter pancake.
Now for the most important step. FOLD the remaining egg whites into the mixture half at a time. Be careful not to over agitate the batter because you want to leave all of the bubbles intact. This will give the delicious pancakes extra rise.
Now let the batter rest for 15-30 minutes to allow the baking powder to work its magic and let the flour absorb the moisture.
Finally, you are ready to cook your homemade pancakes! Heat your griddle to 375 degrees, brush with butter, pour batter onto the hot surface and begin frying! Flip the pancake when you see bubbles on the surface.
Tip: I prefer to use my favorite griddle to make the pancakes quicker, but you can use a nonstick skillet, or cast-iron skillet with equally great results. You will want to set your stovetop burner between medium-heat and medium-low heat for best results.
What to serve with pancakes
You have now made the best pancakes ever, now it is time to serve them with any or all of your favorite toppings. After all, you need the perfect toppings to finish off the perfect pancakes, right?
- Maple syrup
- Butter
- Jam
- Fresh fruit
- Confectioner sugar
- Honey
- Peanut Butter
Ways to Customize this recipe
If you would like to add additional ingredients such as blueberries, chocolate chips or anything else – don’t mix it in the batter. They will just sink to the bottom. Instead, sprinkle the additions on the pancakes as soon as they are ladled onto the griddle.
If you really want to replicate the flavor of an exceptional diner pancake replace the sugar with malted milk powder instead. You could even add a little vanilla extract with the wet ingredients.
Can pancake batter be made in advance?
If you had hoped to make the batter in advance, you can cheat and do so. However, your results will not be the same. The pancakes will still have good flavor but the light and airy pancake will be replaced with a thin and dense saucer instead because the bubbles in the batter will have long since burst.
How to store leftover pancakes
Leftover pancakes store well and reheat well. They should be placed in an airtight container in your refrigerator and eaten within five days. However, they can be frozen as well for up to three months. If freezing I recommend placing a piece of parchment paper between each one so they don't freeze together.
When you are ready to reheat your leftover pancakes I recommend gently heating them in a pan on the stovetop. A microwave would not be recommended, as it would ruin the texture.
More Pancake Recipes
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Old Fashioned Pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups flour
- ¼ cup sugar or malted milk powder
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs yolks separated
- 2 ½ cups buttermilk adjust as needed to get pourable consistency
- ½ cup butter melted
Serving
- Maple syrup
Instructions
- Separate egg yolks from whites and whisk egg whites until stiff peaks are formed.
- Combine egg yolks, melted butter, and buttermilk in a large bowl and mix together.
- In a separate bowl combine all dry ingredients and mix together.
- Once wet and dry ingredients are each are mixed, combine together in a large mixing bowl. Do not over mix or the pancakes will be tough. Mix just to combine leaving some lumps. (The lumps will work themselves out and you will have a lighter pancake for stirring less)
- FOLD egg whites into mixture half at a time being careful not to overly agitate.
- Let the batter rest 15-30 minutes.
- Heat griddle to 375 degrees and brush with butter before frying. Or use medium heat on your stovetop.
- Cook pancakes until golden brown, and flip once the batter begins to bubble on top. Repeat until all batter has been used.
- Serve with maple syrup, and additional butter as desired.
Notes
Nutritional Information
This recipe was originally published May 20, 2012 on FoxValleyFoodie.com.
Lisa
These were delicious!! I used the malted milk powder in place of sugar, added a bit of cinnamon and vanilla paste and let it set for about 45 min. Cooked on the Blackstone. Better than diner cakes!
Linda
OMG!! The best pancakes ever. Definitely my go to recipe!!
Ricki
Just curious if anyone has tried making these with GF flour?
Kathy Grosso
My go-to pancake recipe!
Sue
Oh my gosh!!! Best pancake I’ve ever had!!!!! I made the whole recipe and I’m freezing them for my grandkids for a fast breakfast that’s out of this world delicious. Thank you for sharing.💕
Kat.
Very good pancakes. Good flavor I used self rising flour. Very fluffy.
Tracie Morris
OMG. Best pancakes ever.
Ed
I cooked these on my Blackstone Griddle they had a great appearance and great taste.
Lora
Made these today and was skeptical about keeping warm in the oven and the lack of vanilla in the batter. I am now a believer. They are really good. I think the secret is the whipped egg whites and not over mixing. Perfection.
Susanne
Absolutely the best pancakes EVER! Thank you so much! Perfection 💕💕💕
Brandi
One of the best recipes I've found. Reminds me of the pancakes my great aunt used to make from scratch for me when I was a kid. I make the entire batch and freeze individual portions for later. They reheat well and save me when I'm tight on time in the morning and need to feed my 4 year old.
Emily
How many pancakes does this recipe make in total?
Lichelle Hollie
The pancakes are superb, but how can I store the pancake mix, recipe makes a large amount.
Fox Valley Foodie
The mix is best made fresh or the pancakes will lose their fluffiness. You can cut the recipe down as needed though if you need smaller quantities.
Bebe
Thiese are the best pancakes I have ever had. They were worth the time to make them. I ate one, and froze the rest for after-school snack for my grandchildren. They will eat seconds! Thank you so much for sharing an excellent, well-written recipe.
Red
I'd just make bigger pancakes or just freeze then.
Lyn
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I have been looking for a good pancake recipe for more than a decade. Waaaay before pinterest ever exsisted! I gave up because i just couldnt get it right. I'm so glad i came across your recipe. I made it this morning and my son loves it! Defenitely a keeper! Thank you so much.
Alycia Nichols
Malted milk powder! Of course!!!!!! I’m headed to the store to find some tomorrow. Never, ever, ever did it occur to me! I make great scratch pancakes, but they’re about to get WAY better! Thank you!!!! And Happy Mother’s Day!
Sam
Can I cut the amount of butter in half? Seems like a lot of butter!
Fox Valley Foodie
Butter adds flavor and moisture but you will probably be fine if you want to cut it back.
Tammy
These were excellent. The perfect amount of crispiness on the outside while also still fluffy.
Dave Baur
Mr.Gorges I made the Buttermilk Pancakes using WHOLE Buttermilk and inadvertently forgot the butter. I didn't realize it until I was printing a copy of the recipe for my daughter. The cakes still tasted great! I imagine the extra fat in the whole buttermilk was my saving grace. So next time I will try it with the butter added and I imagine they should really have a rich flavor. Do you have any caveats that I should know? Thank you Dave B Howard
Fox Valley Foodie
You are right, fat carries a lot of flavor (and moisture) in the pancakes. It sounds like you are on the right track and I'd expect them to turn out great for you next time!
Brittany c
Can you state how many calories are in one of these? Yummy looks super duper delish 🙂
Cathy Del Rosario
There is after taste of baking soda, tried to put only 1 tsp and it is still fluffy and taste good.