Pancakes around our house are always considered a “special occasion” breakfast, maybe because it’s something that involves actual cooking as opposed to sticking something in the toaster or pouring milk over cereal. The girls always get excited for pancakes. The thing about pancakes for me, however, is that they can be a little heavy and dense. If you have the time to prep the batter for breakfast the night before, you can try this pancake batter recipe which rises overnight in the refrigerator. They end up lighter and fluffier than regular pancakes and they have a light yeasty flavor.
Yeast-Raised Pancakes (makes about 10 medium pancakes)
1-1/2 cups warm milk
2-1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
Mix the milk, yeast, oil and egg together in a large bowl until the yeast is fully dissolved. Add the remaining ingredients and stir only until everything is incorporated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator overnight.
In the morning, heat a griddle or heavy frying pan over medium heat (we always use a cast iron pan). Add a little oil to the pan. Spoon in pancake batter to make pancakes of your desired size. Cook for just about 1-2 minutes per side until golden on both sides and cooked completely through. Serve immediately.
A friend of mine, when she has old forgotten black bananas, replaces some of the flour with them (mixed)… and it’s delicious!!
Oh, I wish I had time for a breakfast like this every morning! I always notice that on tv– the mom has time to make pancakes for breakfast, and the kid runs out the door with just an apple, saying they don’t have time… Who are these kids that don’t just worship the ground you walk on for making pancakes???
Glad to see yours do appreciate it.
If you want light, fluffy pancakes that will leave everyone feeling great after, buy a gluten-free mix. They are all pretty much equal these days. I like Pam’s because it also contains almond flour. Mmmm… My non GF family members have totally converted and can’t tell the difference!
This sounds good. I love pancakes and I’d like to try this. Thank you for posting! 🙂
In honor of last week’s National Pancake Day, I tried the whole wheat pancake recipe in Mark Bittman’s FOOD MATTERS and fell head-over-heels. Though the extra step of folding in beaten egg whites can be too much for weekday mornings, the result is so worth it– whole grain yet light as air!
Thanks, I’m going to have to try this recipe! We love pancakes here at my house, especially at dinner time to mix things up a little bit.
Looks delicious Jenna! Will definitely make this recipe tomorrow morning for my son he loves pancakes a must in the menu at home. Thank you
Of course I’ll have time to prep the batter the night before! It means I don’t have to do anything in the morning!
(Oh, and I loved those candied kumquats so much I almost made myself sick. I’m the only one in the house who likes marmalade, and I’ll eat candied peel straight out of the container, so the the kumquats were absolutely irresistible!)
i use club soda instead of water and they always come out lighter and fluffier even the whole wheat ones 🙂 but i’ll try this too now 😀
Wowow! I will definitely try this recipe ! I love pancakes although I’m italian.. I will spend all May in NY, Brooklyn, can you suggest me a good place to eat pancakes? I could return the favour cooking an original italian dinner! 😀
Wonderful!
Hi Jenna,
Big fan of your blog. In the few pics I’ve seen I think you have a great personal style. Do you think you could feature more of your clothing purchases on the blog?
oh man, if these are anything like yeast-raised waffles, i am so sold. the best pancakes i’ve ever eaten were a sourdough pancake, but i have no patience for parenting a fourth child. i love overnight anything — saves me time in the morning. looking forward to giving these a go.
thank you I will have to try this.
Amazing blog! Just drool-worthy! Nice to find you 🙂