I Want Thick and Fluffy Pancakes! Help!

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Discussion Overview

The thread centers around participants sharing their experiences and preferences regarding thick and fluffy pancake recipes. Many contributors express their desire for pancakes similar to those found in restaurants, particularly IHOP, while others share their personal recipes and tips for achieving the desired texture.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a strong craving for thick, fluffy pancakes like those from IHOP and shares their struggle with achieving the right texture in homemade versions.
  • Another participant suggests slightly thickening the batter and adjusting the baking powder as potential methods to improve pancake fluffiness.
  • Several participants mention specific pancake mixes, such as Krusteaz and Good Eats, noting their experiences with these products.
  • One participant shares a recipe for banana chocolate chip pancakes using Bisquick, highlighting their family's enjoyment of this variation.
  • Another participant describes making homemade waffle batter for pancakes, which they refer to as "wafflecakes."
  • Some participants discuss techniques for incorporating air into the batter, such as whipping egg whites separately before folding them in.
  • One participant mentions that allowing the batter to rest before cooking can enhance the fluffiness of the pancakes.
  • Another participant shares a recipe from the Joy of Cooking for waffles, which they also use to make pancakes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best methods and recipes for achieving thick and fluffy pancakes, with no clear consensus emerging on a single approach or recipe that all participants agree upon.

Contextual Notes

Participants share a variety of personal experiences and preferences, reflecting a range of tastes and cooking styles. The discussion includes both homemade recipes and store-bought mixes, indicating a diverse approach to pancake preparation.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants and community members interested in pancake recipes and cooking techniques may find the shared experiences and suggestions helpful for their own cooking endeavors.

KellyTheChef
Gold Member
Messages
7,533
I LOVE :love::love::love: IHOP's pancakes! I am searching for the perfect recipe like theirs...thick, yet fluffy. Every recipe I have tried turns out too thin...

I found a really good recipe on Allrecipes.com (trucker's buttermilk pancakes) and I loved the flavor...they just were thin! I am afraid if I just add flour that it's gonna alter the flavor and such.

Anyone have a recipe that they LOVE that makes them the way I want them? This is the FOURTH time since being preggo that I am just wanting pancakes like no other!
 
2 things

slightly thicker batter
and adjust the backing powder increase it a hair.
 
If you are willing to drive to Mackinaw City, Mi.....I can tell you where the very best, thick, fluffy, melt-in-your mouth pancakes can be found!:D:p(I know - that just makes things worse...sorry Kelly!)
 
I make mine from scratch... :D
 
  • Thread starter
  • #5
ChefBeckyD said:
If you are willing to drive to Mackinaw City, Mi.....I can tell you where the very best, thick, fluffy, melt-in-your mouth pancakes can be found!:D:p


(I know - that just makes things worse...sorry Kelly!)

You suck. (kidding!) Too bad you couldn't wrangle that recipe from the restaurant while you were there!!

I LOVE getting pancakes out at restaurants....they always seem to have batter that you just can't make at home. Guess that's why I am looking for the recipe....so I don't have to go out and pay $5 for a plate of .50 pancakes!! TeeHee!
 
Well, I don't know how thick but fluffy, cause everyone's tastes are a bit different, but the Krusteaz pancake batter is like that. I don't love the flavor though. I personally love to make banana choc. chip pancakes. My kids gobble them up and tell everyone mine are the best. Ha, ha. I use Bisquick though, I'm a cheater. I do 2 heaping cups of bisquick, 2 eggs, 1 cup milk. Mix well, then add 1 very ripe mashed up banana. Mix well. Then add mini morsels to your hearts content. Then I do 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. They are so moist and yummy, I just eat them like a cookie, no syrup. I do put a little butter on though. :)
 
babywings76 said:
Well, I don't know how thick but fluffy, cause everyone's tastes are a bit different, but the Krusteaz pancake batter is like that.

I was just going to say Krusteaz for thick pancakes. My DH has to water them down, because they are too thick for him. We had them for dinner last night. Yum!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #8
Hmmm....I don't buy bisquik...can't stand the flavor.

Maybe I will look for the Krusteaz mix.

Still hoping for a recipe I can do at home....(I am cheap, ahem...frugal!! lol)
 
Add lemon juice, if you don't already and make sure you add baking powder. It sizzles and somehow causes it to fluff!
 
The Good Eats pancake mix is EXCELLENT!! I don't have a link off the top of my head, but if you go to the food network site and search for pancakes and Good Eats you'll find it. It's a mix that makes 3 batches. Each batch uses several eggs and buttermilk to mix up - delish.
 
Thanks Kelly...I had to make pancakes for dinner...this thread got me craving them!
I usually make awful pancakes..but I just wanted them badly and only had bisquick in the house...YUM-O...I made the Melt in your Mouth Pancake recipe on the back of the box...they were good..I've never had IHOP...but these were the best pancakes I've ever made :) They were thick and fluffy ...hope you find a recipe you like...
 
pckrissy said:
Thanks Kelly...I had to make pancakes for dinner...this thread got me craving them!
I usually make awful pancakes..but I just wanted them badly and only had bisquick in the house...YUM-O...I made the Melt in your Mouth Pancake recipe on the back of the box...they were good..I've never had IHOP...but these were the best pancakes I've ever made :) They were thick and fluffy ...hope you find a recipe you like...

Thats what I make to is the bisquick melt in your mouth. I use Bisquick for everything.The strawberry shortcakes are to die for.
 
I make homemade waffle batter and use that to make great, thick, fluffy pancakes. Actually, we call them wafflecakes.
 
Whatever pancakes you make, before blending in the eggs, beat them until fluffy and then fold them into the batter. It will make your pancakes light and airy and YUM every time. Good thing about this is that you don't really have to change your favorite pancake recipe, just beat the eggs until fluffy!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #15
Brandi (I am thinking it's you typing) thanks for the tip!

Rae...recipe please?


Ann...I will look into the Good Eats one, I LOVE Alton!!
(BTW- your new avatar had me confused for a couple of days...I didn't even realize it was you! I guess I look more at the avatar to "see" who it is than their name!! lol)
 
then once beaten--place in frig for- 10 minutes--
 
  • Thread starter
  • #17
MORFIA said:
then once beaten--place in frig for- 10 minutes--

THANKS!

I need to start making notes and then test out these ideas!!
 
we are all driving over---
 
pancakes..... people really eat those??? YUK!! :) my daughter and I can't stand them and my DH and sons could eat them 3 meals a day
 
You might try whipping the egg yolks separately, incorporating those in the batter then whipping the egg whites until sort of stiff than folding them in the batter gently.

I think the trick is to incorporate air into your batter.
 
KellyTheChef said:
Rae...recipe please?

I use the Basic Waffles in Joy of Cooking. It has a nice, eggy taste. The guys like these without any topping at all. Here's the recipe:

Whisk together in large bowl:
1 3/4 c all-purpose flour
1 T baking powder
1 T sugar
1/2 t salt​


Whisk together in another bowl:
8 T butter, melted
3 large eggs, well beaten
1 1/2 c milk​


Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Gently whisk them together with a few swift strokes. (The batter should have a pebbled look, similar to a muffin batter.)



Our DS's friends all thought I was really weird, but I put part of the batter in a squeeze bottle so I can make faces, butterflies, etc. The last little dribbles of batter I use to make caterpillars (drops of batter that connect as they spread and plump). Caterpillars were DS's favorites. And, yes, I do that even when it's just The Furry Guy and me. Life's better with a bit of whimsy. :p
 
Great, now all I can think about is pancakes. Think I'll make some for breakfast.Oh, yeah, and these reheat really well. I usually reheat them in the toaster.
 
To get irresistably thick & fluffy, make the batter hours ahead / the night before. Use Your Batter Bowl With Lid! Put it in fridge then let get room temp - take out of fridge about 30 mins/1 hour before you cook it.

Some of the reason restaurant pancakes are so light is their batter has developed by being made and left alone for a while. You can bet that they don't whisk up a new batter just for you...

Another great option is the puff pancake - I think it's in an older Celebraitons cookbook, maybe in All The Best. It was on cover of a Season's Best about 10 years ago.
 
Oh, yeah, that puff pancake is great.
 
This is the Good Eats recipe I use."Instant" Pancake Mix
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda (check expiration date first)
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons sugarCombine all of the ingredients in a lidded container. Shake to mix.Use the mix within 3 months."INSTANT" PANCAKES
2 eggs, separated
2 cups buttermilk
4 tablespoons melted butter
2 cups "Instant" Pancake Mix, recipe above
1 stick butter, for greasing the pan
2 cups fresh fruit such as blueberries, if desiredHeat an electric griddle or frying pan to 350 degrees F. Heat oven to 200 degrees F.Whisk together the egg whites and the buttermilk in a small bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the melted butter.Combine the buttermilk mixture with the egg yolk mixture in a large mixing bowl and whisk together until thoroughly combined. Pour the liquid ingredients on top of the pancake mix. Using a whisk, mix the batter just enough to bring it together. Don't try to work all the lumps out.Check to see that the griddle is hot by placing a few drops of water onto to the griddle. The griddle is ready if the water dances across the surface.Lightly butter the griddle. Wipe off thoroughly with a paper towel. (No butter should be visible.)Gently ladle the pancake batter onto the griddle and sprinkle on fruit if desired. When bubbles begin to set around the edges of the pancake and the griddle-side of the cake is golden, gently flip the pancakes. Continue to cook 2 to 3 minutes or until the pancake is set.Serve immediately or remove to a towel-lined baking sheet and cover with a towel. Hold in a warm place for 20 to 30 minutes.Yield: 12 pancakes
 
I use Bisquick... then add in 1/2 cup sugar
2 tbs of baking powder
and some vanilla extract
 
  • Thread starter
  • #27
THANKS EVERYONE!

DH may have to put up with pancakes for dinner tonight! heehee!




ththhavingaboy_afb.gif
 
Holy cow, looks like everyone has their own way. Kelly is going to gain like 50 lbs just from trying them all. I have no additional advice. I use Krusteez and really like them. My dad used to make them when I was younger that always had nice crispy crunchy edges and no matter what, I can never duplicate them.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #29
wadesgirl said:
Holy cow, looks like everyone has their own way. Kelly is going to gain like 50 lbs just from trying them all. I have no additional advice. I use Krusteez and really like them. My dad used to make them when I was younger that always had nice crispy crunchy edges and no matter what, I can never duplicate them.

Crunchy edges...I may be able to help!

Be sure your griddle isn't too hot (or the butter will burn) but take a stick of butter and grease the griddle before each run of pancakes. It's the butter that crunches up the edges!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #30
raebates said:
I use the Basic Waffles in Joy of Cooking. It has a nice, eggy taste. The guys like these without any topping at all. Here's the recipe:

Whisk together in large bowl:
1 3/4 c all-purpose flour
1 T baking powder
1 T sugar
1/2 t salt​


Whisk together in another bowl:
8 T butter, melted
3 large eggs, well beaten
1 1/2 c milk​


Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Gently whisk them together with a few swift strokes. (The batter should have a pebbled look, similar to a muffin batter.)



Our DS's friends all thought I was really weird, but I put part of the batter in a squeeze bottle so I can make faces, butterflies, etc. The last little dribbles of batter I use to make caterpillars (drops of batter that connect as they spread and plump). Caterpillars were DS's favorites. And, yes, I do that even when it's just The Furry Guy and me. Life's better with a bit of whimsy. :p


Thanks for the recipe Rae!
How come I am not surprised that you and TFG eat caterpillar pancakes together?!!?
I love ya!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients do I need for thick and fluffy pancakes?

To make thick and fluffy pancakes, you'll need all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, milk, eggs, and melted butter. You can also add vanilla extract for extra flavor. Make sure to measure your ingredients accurately for the best results.

How do I achieve the perfect batter consistency?

The batter for thick and fluffy pancakes should be slightly lumpy. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to dense pancakes. Mix the dry ingredients separately from the wet ingredients, then combine them gently until just mixed. A few lumps are okay!

What cooking method should I use for thick and fluffy pancakes?

Cook your pancakes on a preheated griddle or non-stick skillet over medium heat. Use a small amount of butter or oil to grease the surface. Pour the batter onto the griddle and cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden brown on the other side.

Can I make thick and fluffy pancakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can make thick and fluffy pancakes ahead of time. Allow them to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze them for longer storage. Reheat in the microwave or toaster before serving.

What toppings go well with thick and fluffy pancakes?

Thick and fluffy pancakes are delicious with a variety of toppings. Popular options include maple syrup, fresh fruits like berries or bananas, whipped cream, chocolate chips, or even a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Get creative and mix and match your favorites!

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