Recipe: Fluffy American Pancakes

Every February or March we celebrate Pancake Day – a delicious time of year where it’s not only acceptable (but practically obligatory) to indulge until you’re ready for a well-earned food coma and an afternoon nap.

Whether you’re flipping pancakes for the family or treating yourself, this fluffy American pancake recipe is a firm favourite.

American Pancake Ingredients

• 4 cups sifted flour

• 4 tablespoons baking powder

• 4 cups warm milk

• ¾ cup butter, melted

• 3 egg yolks

• 4 egg whites

The Method

Step 1: Mix together the flour (sieving it into the bowl) and baking powder in a bowl.

Step 2: In a different bowl, combine the butter, milk and egg yolks.

Step 3: In a third bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form – it’s advisable to use a a hand or stand mixer at this point to get the right consistency. Using a normal whisk will take quite some time and will leave you with a very tired wrist.

Step 4: Combine the bowl of flour and the butter/milk mixture. Stir well until fully combined and smooth. Then slowly fold in the egg whites.

Step 5: Pour a large scoop of your pancake batter into a nonstick pan on a low heat and put the lid on top, leaving to cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 6: Serve your American-style pancakes with maple syrup and a selection of berries.

Step 7: Put your feet up and enjoy that nap 😴

A Brief History of Pancake Day

Have you ever wondered where Pancake Day comes from?

Pancake Day is traditionally known as Shrove Tuesday, the final day of feasting before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Lent marks the 40 days leading up to Easter and was historically a period of fasting and restraint.

Shrove Tuesday offered a final opportunity to use up rich ingredients such as eggs, milk and fats before the fast began – making pancakes the perfect solution.

In fact, pancakes themselves can be traced back hundreds of years, with recipes appearing in cookbooks as early as 1439.