Easy Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to pancake mix to make it better? ›

Using Baking Soda vs.

If your boxed mix doesn't already call for it, you can also add in a few eggs. The addition of the egg in your mix will give your batter a better texture, as well as more flavor. These pancakes will taste like you just ordered them from your favorite breakfast spot, but right at home!

Pancakes and waffles typically both contain baking soda, which causes them to rise. As soon as the baking soda is combined with the wet ingredients (which contain an acidic ingredient, like often buttermilk), it starts producing carbon dioxide gas bubbles that cause the batter to rise.

Can you use milk instead of water for pancakes? You sure can! Instead of water, you can use any kind of milk, including almond milk and coconut milk, to mix up the pancake batter.

Even if your pancake mix doesn't call for an egg, mix one into the batter. The egg will add richness to the recipe and make the end result taste like homemade pancakes. If your pancake mix already calls for an egg, try adding an extra one.

Over-Mixing the Batter

A slightly lumpy pancake batter is actually a good thing. Sure, our natural instinct when mixing a batter is to make sure everything is nice and smooth—but resist it. Over-mixing develops gluten in the batter, which means heavier, chewier pancakes, rather than light and fluffy hotcakes.

Eggs are a crucial ingredient. They provide the cakes with the structure to hold light bubbles. Eggs also give the batter additional, richer flavor from the yolk fat. If you add too many eggs, you'll have “pancakes” that look more like custard or crepes.

Top tips for fluffy pancakes

Don't be tempted to add more than the recipe suggests, as too much baking powder will make pancakes taste soapy. Alternatively, you could use self-raising flour, which will add to the amount of raising agent in the recipe and potentially make your pancakes fluffier.

Milk helps make pancakes fluffier than water. Since milk is thicker than water, it creates a thicker batter. Further, if you use whole milk or low fat milk, the fat content helps yield tender, fluffy results.

coffee creamer! That's right — swap out 1/4 cup of milk with vanilla coffee creamer. I use this one from Whole Foods. It's so yummy and delicious and it gives your pancakes a delicious buttery vanilla flavor.

If the batter seems too thick, add a bit more milk. If it's too thin, add a bit more flour. Make sure you sieve it in to avoid creating lumps and whisk to ensure the mixture is combined. If you've left your batter in the fridge overnight, you may need to add a bit of milk in the morning when you come to use it.

Can I add baking powder to pancake mix? ›

Pancake Ingredients

If not, here's what to add to your grocery list: Flour: This homemade pancake recipe starts with all-purpose flour. Baking powder: Baking powder, a leavener, is the secret to fluffy pancakes. Sugar: Just a tablespoon of white sugar is all you'll need for subtly sweet pancakes.

Baking powder is made of baking soda plus cream of tartar and cornstarch. Baking powder can be substituted for baking soda by tripling the amount of baking powder. Baking soda can be substituted for baking powder by dividing the amount of baking powder needed by 4 and adding twice that amount of cream of tartar.

If there isn't enough egg, your batter or dough may not be able to hold its structure or could end up overly dry or dense. On the other hand, if there is too much egg, your baked goods could lose their shape due to excess liquid, or have a rubbery (or even overly cakey) texture depending on the recipe.

Gordon Ramsay's recipe

You will need 2 eggs, separated, 2 tbsp sugar, ½ tsp salt, 2 tsp baking powder, 60g vegetable oil, 300g buttermilk, 160g plain flour, and 1 tsp vanilla essence. Whisk the egg whites “*ntil foamy”. MiX all the other ingredients in a second bowl, then fold in the egg whites.

Can I Use Water Instead of Milk in Pancakes? Milk adds both flavor and texture to pancake batter, so if you are looking to make pancakes without milk, a simple swap to water doesn't always do the trick. For pancakes made without milk, you'll want to add some flavor through melted butter and vanilla extract.

Most boxed mixes call for water, but substituting milk for water will add richness. Milk will yield a thicker batter, so the amount may need to be adjusted to get the desired consistency. Or try half water, half milk.

If you're loath to waste the yolk, you can certainly add it to your pancake batter along with the water. This will give your pancakes a slightly richer flavor, but it will also hinder the rise and give your pancakes a denser texture.