Homemade Pancake Mix and an Awesome Breakfast {Webisode #19}
What’s Going on Today: Up earlier, sun is brighter, playground more active – everything is better in springtime. Off to the farmer’s market to pick up fresh veggies and all of my favorites from Ronnybrook Farm.
Naptime Goals: Make big batch of Pancake Mix for pancake breakfast on Saturday.
Tonight’s Menu: Leftover Browned Butter Asparagus Risotto. Leftover Easter candy dessert.
Parenting Lesson of the Day: The bigger the stack of pancakes, the happier the kid.
Tonight there are delicious leftovers in the fridge for dinner so this afternoon I am going to use naptime to stock up on my pantry basics. There many times I do this throughout the year like when I make large batches of pesto, Apricot Jam, Meatballs or Tomato Sauce. It makes so much sense to make these delicious basics in bulk, that way I can always have them on hand instead of making them from scratch every time I need them. Furthermore, I enjoy making them, I am always excited to set aside a naptime or two each month to replenish my supplies.
Today I am making a fresh batch of homemade pancake mix. I know that there are a lot of Bisquick devotees out there, but I am not one of them. I prefer this homemade version to anything store-bought – plus it is much less expensive. I got the idea to add malt powder from my brother, the infamous Uncle Will. He spent a summer working in the kitchen at the Otesaga Hotel and had a chance to tap the Chef for many of his secrets. The key, he told Will, to delicious Belgian waffles and sweet pancakes is malt powder. We took his word for it, tried it in our parent’s kitchen and, wouldn’t you know it, Chef was right! The malt powder gives the pancakes a nice texture and slightly sweetened flavor, erasing any trace of flour or baking soda on the palate.
These days I make my pancake mix in a big batch and keep it in a glass jar with a scoop. This way we have it on hand anytime we need it. Some weekdays, when I have slept especially well, I do a pancake breakfast with my daughter. But, admittedly, I mostly do them on the weekends. The beauty of this pancake mix is that it keeps for several weeks so you can easily whip up a stack anytime you want.
I often take the traditional route when serving pancakes, opting for real butter and delicious homemade maple syrup. But, when I want to change it up I add a dash of almond extract and some lemon zest to the batter to give it lemon almond flavor. Recently I even topped a stack with creamy homemade ricotta and some fresh berries – it was delicious! Any way you like to eat them is fine with me, just make sure the maple syrup is real – not imitation. Also, I think pancakes are best eaten when everyone is still in their jammies.
Recipe
Homemade Pancake Mix
Ingredients
| 4 c. | unbleached all-purpose flour |
| ½ c. | malt powder (like Carnation or Horlick’s) |
| 1 t. | cinnamon (optional) |
| 3 T. | baking powder |
| 2 t. | baking soda |
| 2 T. | sugar |
| 1 ½ t. | Kosher salt |
1. Mix all ingredients in a big bowl with a whisk. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Homemade Pancakes
| 1 c. | pancake mix (above) |
| 1 | egg |
| 1 c. | whole or 2% milk |
| 1 T. | unsalted butter |
Instructions
1. On a skillet or wide, shallow sauce pan heat the butter over medium heat and swirl so that it covers the bottom of the pan.
2. Ladle the 1/3 c. of the batter into the pan and let it warm until bubble starts to show on the surface. Flip quickly with a thin spatula and allow to cook on the other side until golden brown. Serve hot.
Naptime Notes
Naptime Recipe Serving ideas
The key to this recipe is a malt powder. If you don’t add it your mix may seem a little bland and basic. But, no matter how you make it, be sure to have fun dressing up the pancakes once their made. My favorite toppings are sliced fruits, maple syrup, fruit syrup and sweet cheeses like ricotta or mascarpone.
Naptime Stopwatch
Make the pancake mix takes all of 5 minutes! Making the batter and enjoying the pancakes takes about another 10 minutes.
Naptime Reviews
My daughter adores pancakes, especially when they are cut up in little triangles that she can dip into a ramekin of warm syrup! My husband likes these too, often served with a side of bacon.
Mmm, those look delicious! I'd definitely love to wake up to those this weekend! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Mmm, those look delicious! I'd definitely love to wake up to those this weekend! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Malt – what a great idea. Pancakes are on the menu for the weekend…Your shots of the park make me homesick, as my folks grew up in M'side Hts and I learned to walk in "your" park.
Malt – what a great idea. Pancakes are on the menu for the weekend…Your shots of the park make me homesick, as my folks grew up in M'side Hts and I learned to walk in "your" park.
These look so good! We usually do pancakes on Saturday mornings along with some bacon from a local farm. I usually use Bisquick and add a little vanilla to it, but am absolutely going to try this next week.Hope all is well and that you are well rested from your vaca!
These look so good! We usually do pancakes on Saturday mornings along with some bacon from a local farm. I usually use Bisquick and add a little vanilla to it, but am absolutely going to try this next week.
Hope all is well and that you are well rested from your vaca!
I JUST ordered malted milk this weekend to make a homemade pancake mix. I was inspired by a Cook's Country recipe. Now I have your recipe as inspiration, too. Can't wait to try these! Thanks, K.
I JUST ordered malted milk this weekend to make a homemade pancake mix. I was inspired by a Cook's Country recipe. Now I have your recipe as inspiration, too. Can't wait to try these! Thanks, K.
I would love to have a mix recipe that included some whole wheat flour, maybe some quick oats too.
I would love to have a mix recipe that included some whole wheat flour, maybe some quick oats too.
I've never thought about Malt in pancakes, but can imagine it would be tasty. I'm always eager to try a new pancake recipe, so thanks for sharing.
I've never thought about Malt in pancakes, but can imagine it would be tasty. I'm always eager to try a new pancake recipe, so thanks for sharing.
First off, you are absolutely adorable! I really enjoyed your webisode and am totally inspired to make our own pancake mix to keep on hand!! I make them from scratch normally, but mix the dry ingredients each time…so much easier to do it this way!Congrats on Babble's Top 50! You are doing a great job!
First off, you are absolutely adorable! I really enjoyed your webisode and am totally inspired to make our own pancake mix to keep on hand!! I make them from scratch normally, but mix the dry ingredients each time…so much easier to do it this way!
Congrats on Babble's Top 50! You are doing a great job!
OMG – these are delish! I will say that I added 1/2 tsp. vanilla to the prepared batter and my kids couldn’t get enough (either could I). Thanks!
[…] Pancake Mix […]
has anyone tried this using whole wheat flour or any other type of flour? Great idea though. I will have to try this soon and possibly add some dark cocoa powder for a fun snacktime treat. Also replacing milk for buttermilk might be nice. Almost like a chocolate muffin. Yum!
Hi Drea,
Thanks for your note! WW flour is a little drier so you might need more moisture if you use it. Buttermilk makes them thicker if you prefer. And, yes, chocolate is always a welcome addition. Have fun with it! 🙂
[…] 1. Pancake Breakfast: There is nothing quite like a stack of piping hot pancakes for breakfast. Get the kids involved slinging the batter to and fro then top them with homemade berry syrup. […]
[…] They were the perfect summer breakfast full of bright tangy lemon flavor, pockets of soft cream cheese, and a healthy dose of fresh blueberry maple syrup. They were also a snap to pull together because I was able to use to use the awesome homemade pancake mix I keep on hand at all times. […]
[…] started the pancakes by using my ever-adaptable homemade pancake mix. We had a fresh jar on hand since we’d just had pancakes on Christmas morning. Then I stirred […]
Just found this recipe…yum! I see butter in the recipe when you make the batter. Does that butter just go in the skillet, or is it for the batter (and additional for the skillet)? Thanks!
Hi Tricia! The butter goes into the batter and additional for the skillet. I hope you enjoy! Best, Kelsey
That’s what I did…these are very easy and so yummy! My picky son loves them, so that’s a winner for me! Thanks!
[…] https://thenaptimechef.com/2010/04/homemade-pancake-mix-and-awesome/ […]
[…] mix that I buy from Trader Joes but feel free to use whatever you fancy. If you like to make homemade pancake mix that works great or store bought works great as […]