Buttermilk Pancakes

Buttermilk pancakes are a classic breakfast favorite. These pancakes can be prepared easily and different ingredients can be thrown in to add flavor, such as fruit. Buttermilk pancakes taste great with melted butter or a drizzle of syrup, or you can get creative and try new toppings.

The buttermilk in these pancakes adds a rich, delicious heartiness that gives the pancakes their unique taste. Although the name would lead you to think that buttermilk is a buttery liquid, it isn't exactly—it is actually acidic and has fewer calories than most milk varieties. It is used in a great many kinds of recipes.

In general, buttermilk pancakes are not very difficult to make and can be cooked up rather quickly. With a few ingredients that you are likely to have in your kitchen already, you can be ready to cook up a batch any time. Try this recipe next time you're craving warm, fluffy pancakes:

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Procedure:

1. Mix. Start by beating the eggs in a bowl until they are frothy. You can choose to use an electric mixer or mix by hand. Add the buttermilk, butter (melted), and vanilla, and combine together well. Next, add the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Mix these together until most of the lumpiness is gone.
2. Cook. Heat a griddle with some oil or cooking spray to medium heat. Pour parts of the mixture onto the griddle and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, making sure to turn the pancake when it starts to bubble on the uncooked side. Continue this process until all the batter has been cooked into pancakes.
3. Serve. Top your buttermilk pancakes with butter, syrup or whatever you like, and enjoy!

There are ways you can make this basic recipe more interesting. For instance, you might want to try cooking some fruit into the pancakes. Try small pieces of strawberry, raspberry, banana, or peach to add a fruity sweetness to the pancakes. Simply cut the fruit up and add to the batter right before you are ready to cook it into pancakes. For a chocolate taste, toss some chocolate chips into the batter and enjoy sweet chocolate chip pancakes. There are many ways to get creative with these pancakes, so have fun with them.