This recipe is without a doubt my tried-and-true favorite. I’ve made dozens of other pancakes over the years but they just don’t measure up to these big, puffed and tender cakes.
The only thing I’ve added to this perfect tangy ratio of butter, eggs, flour and buttermilk is a bit of wheat germ. It must be the mom in me, but somehow the extra fiber makes them seem more wholesome and less like a pile of carbs. Who am I kidding?
This time I made use of an overload of strawberries I had on hand to make a sweet sauce to pour over the stack instead of the usual maple syrup, which instantly transforms a favorite comfort food into a fresh and summery treat.
My kids ask me to make pancakes for breakfast every weekend, and I’ve been trained to mix them up in my sleep – which is what I’d rather be doing on most weekend mornings anyway.
adapted from The Joy of Cooking 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons wheat germ, raw or toasted
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
2. Melt the butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl on high power for 30 seconds. Stir in the buttermilk, eggs and extract until smooth.
3. Pour the buttermilk mixture over the dry ingredients and stir just until the flour is incorporated.
4. Pour 1/4 cup scoops of batter onto a greased, heated griddle set over medium heat. Flip the pancakes when bubbles start to appear on top, after about 3 minutes. Cook the other side until golden brown.
5. Serve right away with warm, buttered maple syrup or strawberry sauce.
Strawberry Sauce
Makes 1 1/2 cups
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
Cool slightly; puree in a blender or food processor and serve over pancakes, yogurt or ice cream.
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Pinkeagle
July 29, 20074:46 pm
Wow these look great
I love pancakes. Have you tried the banana buttermilk ones from Nigella Lawsons book Feast? They’re to die for!!
Anh
July 29, 20075:27 pm
You have made great pancakes! And I like the strawberry sauce, too….
Karen
July 29, 20076:13 pm
Pinkeagle, I adore Nigella, but I avoid bananas since they give me hives!
Ina Garten has another great recipe for pancakes in her Family Style cookbook – sour cream pancakes with bananas. They are my second favorite, without the bananas of course!
Anh, thanks! Strawberry sauce is a nice thing, especially since I have some left over to pour over my yogurt tomorrow.
SteamyKitchen
July 29, 20076:46 pm
OMG you are killing me softly with your buttermilk pancakes…..
Abi Jones
July 30, 20077:32 am
Wow. I suddenly crave a stack of pancakes, though I know that I couldn’t possibly find any like those at this time of day. Yum.
Liza
July 30, 20077:54 am
those look wonderful. maybe we can have those next Sunday! with blueberries.
Karen
July 30, 20078:33 am
Jaden, pancakes can seem so decadent, right?
Abi, we’ve been known to make pancakes for dinner around here!
Liza, that sounds like a plan…I can taste the blueberries already.
janelle
July 30, 200711:41 am
Karen:
Thanks for the recipe; I am printing it off right now. I needed a good pancake recipe!
valentinA
July 30, 200710:00 pm
oh dear, this photo truly is irresistible Karen!
Love the pancakes & the strawberry sauce drizzled over makes it even more yummier!
Patricia Scarpin
July 31, 20078:21 am
These pancakes look wonderful, Karen! OMG!
Karen
July 31, 20078:40 am
Janelle – Now your kids will be rousing you on Sunday mornings. Get ready!
Valentina – I’m never sure of my camera skills, so thank you. And right after I took the picture, my son dove right in.
Patricia – Thanks! It’s always good to make you hungry.
Dani Spies
July 31, 20075:43 pm
Wow..you’re not kidding when you say fluffy…these look YUMMY!! Great picture too!
Squishy
August 4, 20074:46 pm
Just fantastic. Your a talented girl. Pancakes are truly family style food!
Lisa
August 5, 20077:16 am
Heavens! Those look scrumptious, and I’m not even a big lover of pancakes! I’d like to eat that whole plateful, though. Beautiful.
Tom in Boston
August 5, 200712:22 pm
Hi–I made these Sat. a.m. and they were great. Thanks for the recipe. I usually make these cakes without baking powder, sugar or vanilla, so these were sweeter than I’m used to; vive la difference! It was dessert on Saturday morning. Next time I would make smaller pancakes than I did.
Kristen
August 5, 20071:30 pm
I am seriously drooling over these! Mmmmmmm!
Karen
August 6, 200710:00 pm
Dani, thanks. I’m working on a whole-grain version.
Squishy, simple is the best!
Lisa, I know. I’d rather eat a boiled egg!
Tom, I’m so glad you found a new way to enjoy pancakes. They are an indulgence, but once a week seems reasonable, don’t you think?
Kristen, thanks – pancakes have a way of doing that!
Michelle
August 29, 20075:26 pm
Karen: thanks for a GREAT recipe! I’m a veteran pancake maker (as just about every mom of small kids?) but this is the best buttermilk recipe I’ve ever tried. They were perfect: cooked thru (sometimes difficult w/ fluffy cakes), almost crispy on the outside if you oil the pan well, great flavor. I thought the strawberry sauce was simple, pure, delicious. I used frozen berries (whole, unsweetened) and it still turned out delicious!
This is the first recipe I’ve tried from your blog…now you’ll have big shoes to fill…I’ll be back! Often! Thanks!
flowercarole
September 18, 20093:02 am
Just came across this very tempting recipe of yours and I have to say it looks amazing. I’m a huge pancake fan so this is going on my ‘to make’ list. Thanks for sharing.
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