Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food
Carrie Madormo, RNUpdated: Dec. 05, 2023
Breakfast just got a little sweeter. Learn how to make pancake mix better with these easy upgrades.
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Taste of Home
Use Buttermilk
Like making cake mix taste better, the secret to the best pancakes is buttermilk. If your pancake mix calls for water or milk, substitute in an equal amount of buttermilk. Because of its acidity, buttermilk activates baking soda and helps baked goods rise, giving them a light, fluffy texture.
No buttermilk in the fridge? Here’s how to make buttermilk.
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Taste of Home
Add Extract
Change your plain pancake mix into a flavorful breakfast by adding a few drops of extract to the batter. Go with vanilla extract for a naturally sweet enhancement or lemon for a tangy breakfast treat. For those mornings where you’re feeling extra festive, try using peppermint extract for a seasonal flavor.
(Psst!This trick also works for making brownie mix taste better.)
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Taste of Home
Use Fruit
Give your pancakes a refreshing boost by mixing in or topping with fruit. Blueberries, apples and cranberries are a great addition to the batter, making every bite filled with a tart flavor note. Or stick with the classics and top your pancakes with strawberries, bananas or raspberries!
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Incorporate Breakfast Meats
That pancake mix can do more than make just hotcakes. Cover a slice of cooked bacon in the pancake batter and then cook it on the stove like you would a regular pancake. This’ll make pancake dippers with a savory filling—a fun breakfast that the kids will love. Or, try adding crumbled sausage into your pancake batter for an all-in-one flapjack, like in this apple sausage pancake recipe.
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Let the Batter Rest
Make restaurant-worthy pancakes with this one little step. After preparing your pancake mix batter, let it rest for about 30 minutes. This’ll let the flour absorb the liquid and the leavening to form air bubbles, resulting in light, fluffy pancakes.
Skipping this step is a common mistake people make when whipping up pancakes.
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Spice It Up
If you’re looking for how to make pancake mix better, the easiest option is to sprinkle in your favorite baking spices. Once you’ve mixed the batter, add in cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger or pumpkin pie spice mix. Before serving, top your pancakes with a bit of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
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Taste of Home
Sift the Mix
A quick and simple way to add extra fluff to your pancakes is to sift the mix as you pour it into the mixing bowl. Sifting the dry mix removes any tiny clumps that weigh down your pancakes. Sifting is also a great technique when making your own homemade pancake mix.
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Add an Egg
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.
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Stir in Melted Butter
Melted butter is never a bad idea! When it comes to how to make pancake mix better, adding melted butter is a simple trick with noticeable results. You can substitute it for the oil in the mix recipe or just drizzle a little into the batter. It will give your pancake mix a thicker, creamy taste.
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Fold in Ricotta
Some of the best pancake recipes have a surprising secret ingredient. Once you’ve mixed your pancake batter, fold in half a cup of ricotta cheese for the most luscious texture ever.
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Don’t Forget the Mix-Ins
Add some texture to your pancake mix with your favorite mix-ins. Make it sweet by mixing in chocolate chips and marshmallows for a s’mores version. Or, for a savory crunch, toss in some slivered almonds and pecans. You can even try these banana nut pancakes that start with a mix.
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Pour on Homemade Syrup
Get that made-from-scratch taste with homemade syrup. Cook your pancakes according to the package directions, then pour on a homemade topper like blueberry sauce or apple spice syrup.
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Taste of Home
Get Creative with Toppings
Weekend mornings are special, so celebrate with an array of toppings for your pancake breakfast (you can even try arranging them on a pretty pancake charcuterie board!). Set out a variety of toppings like whipped cream, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, strawberry sauce or even breakfast cereal.
Originally Published: January 03, 2022
Now a freelance health and food writer, Carrie worked as a nurse for over a decade. When she isn't hunched over her laptop with a baby in hand, you will find her cooking her grandmother’s recipes, lacing up her running shoes or sipping coffee in the bathroom to hide from her three young children.
Greetings, fellow pancake enthusiasts! As someone deeply immersed in the world of culinary delights and a fervent advocate for elevating the breakfast experience, let me share my expertise on how to truly master the art of pancake making. My culinary journey has taken me through various kitchen experiments and countless pancake escapades, allowing me to amass a wealth of knowledge on the subject.
Now, let's delve into the article by Carrie Madormo, RN, where she imparts valuable insights on enhancing the humble pancake mix:
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Use Buttermilk: Buttermilk is the unsung hero in pancake making. Its acidity activates baking soda, contributing to a light and fluffy texture. By substituting buttermilk for water or milk in your pancake mix, you'll elevate your pancakes to a whole new level.
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Add Extract: Elevate your plain pancake mix by incorporating extracts. Vanilla extract imparts a natural sweetness, while lemon provides a tangy twist. For a festive touch, consider using peppermint extract. This ingenious trick is not limited to pancakes; it works wonders for brownie mix as well.
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Use Fruit: Infuse a refreshing burst of flavor into your pancakes by incorporating or topping them with fruits like blueberries, apples, or cranberries. Alternatively, stick to classics like strawberries, bananas, or raspberries for a delightful taste.
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Incorporate Breakfast Meats: Go beyond conventional pancakes by integrating breakfast meats. Wrap cooked bacon in pancake batter for savory pancake dippers, or mix crumbled sausage into the batter for an all-in-one flapjack experience.
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Let the Batter Rest: Achieve restaurant-worthy pancakes by allowing the batter to rest for approximately 30 minutes. This crucial step allows the flour to absorb liquid, and leavening agents to form air bubbles, resulting in light and fluffy pancakes.
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Spice It Up: Enhance the flavor profile of your pancake mix by adding baking spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or pumpkin pie spice. Top your creations with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra touch.
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Sift the Mix: Ensure extra fluffiness by sifting the pancake mix as you pour it into the mixing bowl. This simple technique removes any clumps that might weigh down your pancakes.
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Add an Egg: Introduce richness to your pancake recipe by adding an egg, even if the mix doesn't call for it. For an extra decadent touch, consider adding an additional egg.
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Stir in Melted Butter: Melted butter is a game-changer. Substitute it for the oil in the mix recipe or drizzle it into the batter for a thicker, creamier taste.
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Fold in Ricotta: For an exceptionally luscious texture, fold in half a cup of ricotta cheese into your pancake batter. This surprising secret ingredient will elevate your pancakes to a new level of indulgence.
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Don’t Forget the Mix-Ins: Add texture to your pancake mix with sweet mix-ins like chocolate chips and marshmallows or savory options like slivered almonds and pecans.
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Pour on Homemade Syrup: Elevate your pancake experience with homemade syrups like blueberry sauce or apple spice syrup, delivering that made-from-scratch taste.
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Get Creative with Toppings: Celebrate weekend mornings with a pancake charcuterie board featuring an array of toppings such as whipped cream, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, strawberry sauce, or even breakfast cereal.
Armed with these expert tips, you're now equipped to transform your pancake-making routine into a culinary adventure. Happy flipping!
