Author Notes
This recipe's list of ingredients has been in our family since I can remember, but it was my sister's adept handling of the mixtures that brought these babies, quite literally, to new heights. Every time she made the batter, the pancakes came out so tall they would not have looked out of place at an NBA draft. Every time I tried, things didn't go so well, and pancake festivals ended up looking more like pancrêpe festivals. I was forced to admit that not all pan-fried carbohydrates are created equal, I handed over my spatula.
However, once we siblings scattered across the globe, my cravings for perfectly thick and fluffy pancakes did not wane. So when my sister decided to come visit me here in Paris, I told her she could stay with me so long as she arrived with baking powder and maple syrup in tow. I wanted to do a thorough step by step analysis of the pancake-making process. A few bags of flour and jugs of lait ribot later, here are the very, but not overly, detailed secrets of her genius. —charticus
Test Kitchen Notes
I was really excited to test this recipe because I've been looking for a way to make pancakes that are a little fluffier than my standby's. So I tested them with my multigrain mixture (white whole wheat flour, wheat germ, ground up oats and corn meal), and I'm happy to say that it worked like a dream. This is the perfect Breakfast for Dinner recipe. You start everything when you get home from work, and let the batter rest while you put on comfy clothes. charticus gives three tips that she calls "genius," and this really is a genius recipe--brilliant, easy, great results. —drbabs
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Ingredients
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2 1/4 cups
flour (all-purpose in North America, type 65 in France)
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1 1/2 teaspoons
baking powder
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1/2 teaspoon
baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon
salt
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1 1/2 tablespoons
sugar
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2 tablespoons
melted butter (at room temperature)
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2
large eggs
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2 1/2 cups
buttermilk (or lait ribot in France, or your own homemade version using vinegar)
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4 cups
very hot coffee
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lots
of good maple syrup
Directions
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Melt your butter in the microwave and put it on the counter. Take your buttermilk out of the fridge, measure it, and leave it on the counter. Proceed to wait agonizingly as they both come to room temperature. If you are still wearing party clothes from the night before, now is a good time to change.
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In a large bowl, mix your dry ingredients using a fork until they are well incorporated, about 30 seconds. GENIUS TIP #1: shape the dry ingredients into a well, like you would if you were making pasta, or a sandcastle. Dig a hole in the ingredients and shape some walls around it. Put the water on for coffee.
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In a smaller bowl, whisk the melted butter, eggs, and buttermilk together until well combined, then pour the mixture into your dry ingredient well. GENIUS TIP #2: use a wooden spoon to gently combine the wet and dry ingredients until there are just a few little pockets of flour left. Do not overmix. You should hear some very quiet sizzling—this is a magic recipe after all. Drink some coffee.
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GENIUS TIP #3: Cover the bowl and let it rest for at least a half hour. I've found that maximum fluffiness requires a good hour of waiting. Patience is key, so distract yourself. I find the FT Weekend edition to be particularly useful here.
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When ready to indulge, heat the pan over medium-low heat. When a drop of water sizzles off with attitude, swirl a teaspoon or so of butter around the pan until it is lightly coated, and pour pancake mixture in until you have reached your desired pancake size. Wait until bubbles break through the surface of the pancake in the middle and the edges have become slightly dry, about 7 minutes depending on your pan temperature. Flip with gusto and wait another couple of minutes until the pancake has reached a deliciously bronzed hue. Serve with maple syrup, and more coffee.
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