Pancakes

Adapted from the Cooks Illustrated Featherweight Pancakes, these are by far the best homemade pancakes we've ever tried.  Jacob agrees, each time we serve them they become part of the clean plate club.  No crumb is left behind.

The original recipe calls for buttermilk, which I never have on hand, however a couple of years ago I discovered SaCo Buttermilk for cooking and baking.  You can find it in the baking aisle of the grocery store and you just add the powder to your dry ingredients and the water to your wet ingredients (where it calls for buttermilk).  Its delicious, and a tub lasts forever in your fridge.  You won't ever know that you didn't use actual buttermilk.

Ingredients

1	cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2	teaspoons granulated sugar
1/2	teaspoon table salt
1/2	teaspoon baking powder
1/4	teaspoon baking soda
3/4	cup buttermilk*
1/4	cup milk (plus an extra tablespoon or so if batter is too thick)
1	large egg , separated
2	tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
	vegetable oil (for brushing griddle) Optional: Toddler Favorite! For fruit pancakes dice up 1/4 cup of your favorite fruit you have on hand (ex - blueberries, bananas, peaches, apples)

*if using SaCo Buttermilk, 3 tablespoon buttermilk powder + 3/4 cup water

 Instructions

1. Mix dry ingredients in medium bowl (flour, sugar, baking soda, baking power, salt, buttermilk powder - if using this).

2. Pour buttermilk (or water if using buttermilk powder) and milk to a 2-cut measuring cup.

3. Mix yolk with melted butter, then stir into milk mixture.

4. Wisk egg white to stiff peaks.

5. Dump wet ingredients into dry ingredients all at once; whisk until just mixed. Quickly fold egg white into batter.

6. Meanwhile, heat griddle or large skillet over strong medium-high heat. Brush griddle generously with oil. When water splashed on surface confidently sizzles, spoon batter, about 1/4 cup at a time, onto griddle, making sure not to overcrowd.

If using fruit, place 1 tablespoon fruit directly in middle of pancake once poured on griddle.

I made blueberry and banana pancakes here - huge hit!

7. When pancake bottoms are brown and top surface starts to bubble, 2 to 3 minutes, flip cakes and cook until remaining side has browned, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Re-oil the skillet and repeat for the next batch of pancakes.

Toddler Serving

Enjoy!