Simple, Fluffy, Tasty Pancakes

Pancakes are a classic breakfast food, so get cooking first thing in the morning!

You'll surely find a lot less mess if you mix your batter in a large measuring pitcher. That way, even the little ones will have a handle and pouring spout when it comes time to make the cakes. Remember when pouring: smaller pancakes are easier to turn.

Here's a simple batter recipe:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup milk (do not use skim milk)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup melted butter or vegetable oil
• 1/2–1 tablespoon sugar (to taste)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• pinch of salt

In one bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Measure your milk into another bowl. (Don't use skim milk, as it will make the batter too thin to make fluffy pancakes.) Add the egg to the milk and whisk the two together. Mix in the oil or butter with the milk and egg. Finally, gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, whisking after adding every few tablespoons. When all the dry mixture is added, whisk until you have a smooth batter.

Cook your pancakes on a hot griddle that has been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray. They're ready to flip when the edges are firm and the tops are bubbly.

You can easily spice up this recipe with 1/4–1/2 cup of your favorite fruits (chopped or grated apples, berries, sliced peaches or apricots, etc.), nuts, cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate chips, and more. Mix and match to see what different combinations you like best.

Pancakes flat? Make them lighter than air by substituting club soda for half the milk (or other wet ingredients, if you're using a different recipe). The gas in the club soda will make the pancakes light and fluffy.

If you want to try something super simple and totally different for pancakes, just prepare a cake mix as it says on the package, but cook the batter in circles on a griddle.

Tired of griddlecakes? Looking for an unusual breakfast treat? Next time you're thinking pancakes, mix your batter as usual. Then drop spoonfuls of batter in hot, clean frying oil. Test one when they are golden by cutting it in half and checking to see that the batter is cooked in the middle. Drain the fried pancakes on some paper towels, and serve them sprinkled with powdered sugar. What a fun breakfast surprise!