Pancakes are fluffy, golden griddle cakes made from a simple batter of flour, eggs, milk, and baking powder. Served warm with syrup, butter, or fruit, they’re a classic, comforting breakfast favorite.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • pinch freshly grated nutmeg, optional
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cups milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, (1/2 stick), melted, plus more for serving
  • vegetables oil, such as canola, for cooking pancakes
  • maple syrup, for serving, optional
  • cooked bacon and fresh fruit, for serving, optional

Directions

  1. 1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
  2. 2. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg, if using, in a large bowl. Beat eggs in a medium bowl. Whisk in about half of milk and vanilla.
  3. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter with the remaining milk, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Whisk into the egg mixture.
  4. 3. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir, using a whisk, just until a thick, slightly lumpy batter forms; set aside to sit for 10 minutes.
  5. 4. Heat a cast-iron, or nonstick skillet, or a griddle over medium to medium-low heat. Brush with canola oil. Pour batter (1/4 cup for small or 1/3 cup for large pancakes) into pan, about 2 to 3 pancakes per batch depending on pan size. Cook until bubbles break on surface of pancakes and undersides are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook about 1 minute more. Repeat with remaining batter.
  6. 5. Serve immediately topped with butter and maple syrup. Serve with bacon and fresh fruit. If desired, transfer pancakes to a platter and keep warm in oven.