Pancakes

Who doesn’t love pancakes for breakfast of a morning? Here is my easy pancake recipe.

Pancakes are one of those simple meals that are great for breakfast, brunch or even a sweet snack. They don’t need lots of ingredients and are quick to make, which also makes them handy when travelling, backpacking or camping.

I like mine with butter and jam, but you can add whatever topping you have available. Maple syrup, icing sugar or fresh fruit are all good choices.

 

Why You’ll Love These Pancakes

 

• Quick and easy – you can have pancakes ready in about 15 minutes. 
• Simple ingredients – there is nothing complicated in this recipe. 
• Great for travellers – the ingredients are easy to find. 
• Easy to adapt – add whatever toppings you have available. 
• Perfect for breakfast – a warm stack of pancakes is a great way to start the day. 
• Only basic equipment needed – a bowl, whisk and frying pan are all you really need. 

 

What Are Pancakes?

 

Pancakes are a simple breakfast dish made from a batter of flour, egg and milk. The batter is cooked in a hot pan until golden on both sides.

There are many different types of pancakes around the world, but this is a simple, easy pancake recipe that is particularly useful when you want something quick without needing lots of ingredients.

This recipe makes about 4 pancakes, depending on how large you make them.

 

Ingredients and Substitutions

 

·      Self-Raising Flour – You will need 1 cup of self-raising flour. Self-raising flour already contains a raising agent, which helps the pancakes become light and fluffy.
·      Sugar – Use 1 tablespoon of sugar. You can adjust this slightly depending on how sweet you like your pancakes.
·      Egg – One lightly beaten egg helps bind the ingredients together.
·      Milk – You will need 3/4 cup of milk. Regular milk works well, but you can use whatever suitable milk you have available.
·      Butter – The recipe uses 50g of butter. Some is used in the pan for cooking the pancakes, with any remaining butter being useful for serving.

 

Equipment Required

 

• Bowl 
• Whisk 
• Frying pan or flat grill 
• Spatula for flipping 
• Plate 
• Knife and fork 

 

How to Make Pancakes While Travelling, Backpacking or Camping

 

Pancakes are a handy traveller breakfast because you don’t need an oven or lots of cooking equipment.

All you need is a bowl for mixing, something to whisk the batter with, and a frying pan or flat cooking surface.

If you’re camping, a small frying pan on a camping stove will work well. You can also make the pancakes smaller if your pan is small.

The ingredients are also relatively easy to find in supermarkets, so this is a good recipe to keep in mind when you’re travelling and want to make your own breakfast.

 

How to Make Pancakes

 

1. Gather your ingredients. Have the flour, sugar, egg, milk and butter ready. 
2. Make the batter. Add the flour and sugar to a bowl and whisk together. Add the egg and beat it into the flour. Gradually add the milk, whisking as you go, until you have a smooth batter without lumps. 
3. Heat the pan. Place a frying pan or flat grill over the heat. Add a little butter and allow it to melt. 
4. Cook the pancakes. Pour some batter into the pan. You can make the pancakes as large or as small as you like. 
5. Flip the pancake. When large bubbles appear on the surface, carefully flip the pancake with a spatula. 
6. Cook the other side. Continue cooking until the second side is lightly golden. 
7. Serve. Transfer to a plate and add your favourite topping. 

 

Tips for Making Pancakes

 

Don’t make the batter too thick. Add the milk gradually and whisk until you have a smooth, pourable batter.
Don’t overmix. Once the batter is smooth and lump-free, you don’t need to keep whisking it.
Keep the heat moderate. If the pan is too hot, the outside can brown before the middle is cooked.
Wait for the bubbles. Large bubbles appearing on the surface are a good indication that the pancake is ready to flip.
Make them smaller when camping. Smaller pancakes can be easier to manage if you’re using a small camping pan.
Use a little butter for each pancake. This helps prevent sticking and adds some extra flavour.

 

Serving Ideas

 

This is where you can have a bit of fun with pancakes. Some simple toppings include:

• Maple syrup 
• Butter 
• Jam 
• Icing sugar 
• Fresh fruit 
• Banana 
• Honey 
• Yoghurt 
• Peanut butter 

My favourite is butter and jam, but when travelling I would simply use whatever topping I have available.

 

What to Do With Leftover Pancakes

 

If you make more pancakes than you need, allow them to cool and store them in a covered container in the refrigerator.

They can be reheated in a frying pan or microwave.

If you’re travelling without refrigeration, it’s better to make only the amount you expect to eat.

You can also make the pancakes smaller and use them as a quick snack later in the day.

 

FAQs

How many pancakes does this recipe make?

This recipe makes approximately 4 pancakes, depending on the size of the pancakes you make.

Can I make smaller pancakes?

Yes. Smaller pancakes are particularly useful when cooking with a small frying pan or camping equipment.

Can I make pancakes while camping?

Yes. You only need a bowl, something to whisk with and a frying pan or flat cooking surface, making pancakes a practical camping breakfast.

Can I use a frying pan instead of a flat grill?

Yes. A regular frying pan works perfectly well.

What if I don’t have maple syrup?

No problem. Serve the pancakes with butter and jam, icing sugar, honey, fruit or whatever topping you have available.

How do I know when to flip a pancake?

When large bubbles start forming on the surface and the edges begin to look cooked, the pancake is generally ready to flip.

Can I make the pancake batter ahead of time?

You can prepare the batter ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator, but for the easiest result, make and cook the pancakes when you’re ready to eat them.

Can I make these pancakes without sugar?

Yes. The sugar adds sweetness, but you can reduce it or leave it out if you prefer a less-sweet pancake and use sweet toppings instead.

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