Pancakes are one of those universal dishes that almost everyone knows and likes. Whether for breakfast, snack or dinner - these delicious, thin pancakes are always welcome. However, creating a perfect, thin and elastic pancake is quite a challenge. Too thick or dry pancakes may discourage even the greatest gourmets. How to make pancakes? Fortunately, after years of experience, we can share a proven recipe for the best pancakes that will satisfy even the most demanding palates.
Pancake recipe - step by step
Ingredients for pancake dough
To prepare perfect pancakes, we need just a few basic ingredients:
- 2 cups of milk,
- 1 cup of water,
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil,
- pinch of salt,
The proportions of these ingredients are key to obtain delicious, elastic pancakes. Remember to use ingredients at room temperature, as this affects the consistency of the dough.
Preparation of dough
- Mix all ingredients - milk, water, eggs, flour, oil and salt - thoroughly until a smooth, creamy consistency is obtained. You can use a flour sifter to avoid lumps.
- Set the dough aside for about 30 minutes to "ripen". During this time, it will have a perfect, thick consistency resembling cream.
Frying pancakes
- Heat a frying pan (preferably one intended for frying pancakes) and lightly grease it with a little oil or melted bacon.
- Add a thin layer of dough to the pan, moving it around to spread it evenly.
- Fry the pancake for about 40-50 seconds until the bottom is lightly browned.
- Gently turn the pancake over to the other side and fry for another 20-30 seconds.
- Place the finished pancake on a plate and fry another one.
Why don't pancakes come out?
There are several reasons why pancakes may fail:
- Unripe dough - If the dough is not rested long enough, it will have a poor consistency and will be difficult to spread evenly in the pan.
- Incorrect pan temperature - too low a temperature will make the pancakes thick and rubbery, and too high a temperature will make the pancakes thin and holey.
- Improper proportions of ingredients - too much flour or eggs may make the dough too thick and the pancakes inelastic.
How to get fluffy?
Do you want your pancakes to be light and fluffy? Here's a simple trick:
Instead of water, add carbonated water to the dough. The bubbles contained in it loosen the dough, giving the pancakes a unique lightness.
You can use beer for savory pancakes and orangeade for sweet ones. Both of these treatments will not only improve the consistency, but also add an interesting flavor.
The best fillings for pancakes
Pancakes are a great base for many delicious fillings. Here are our favorite suggestions:
Sweet fillings
- jam or fruit preserves,
- nutella or chocolate
- mascarpone cheese with fruit,
- sweet cottage cheese,
- ice cream and fruit.
Savory fillings
- ham and cheese,
- Minced Meat With Vegetables,
- mushrooms and onion,
- spinach and ricotta,
- salmon and cheese cream.
Regardless of what filling you choose, remember to stuff the pancakes only after frying them. Thanks to this, they will maintain a perfect, thin structure.
Dietary pancakes
For people on a diet or who care about their health, we also offer light, dietary pancakes:
- Instead of wheat flour, use coconut or almond flour. This will make the cake gluten-free.
- Instead of eggs, you can use egg whites or a tofu-based egg replacer.
- Instead of oil, fry in melted, cooled clarified butter or coconut oil.
- As a filling, choose e.g. cottage cheese with fruit, Greek yogurt with fruit or peanut butter.
Such pancakes will not only be delicious, but also healthier and lighter.
Summary
Pancakes are a true classic of Polish cuisine that never gets boring. Thanks to the variety of possible fillings, they can be served for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even as a snack at a party.
The key to perfect pancakes is to properly prepare the dough and properly dose and spread it on the pan. With these basics in mind, you can confidently experiment with new, original flavor combinations. Put on your favorite apron and enjoy delicious pancakes!
Regardless of the occasion or diet, pancakes will always be a great choice. All you need is a bit of creativity to create a real culinary work of art!