Buttermilk Pancakes

by alice on January 10, 2012 · 34 comments


Three words. Homemade buttermilk pancakes. As a recovering boxed pancake mix addict, I’ll be quite honest. I think boxed pancake mixes have a more consistent flavor and texture than many homemade pancake recipes I’ve tried and tested from magazines, cookbooks, and the internet. Time and time again I would experience such disappointment with these recipes that I preferred to use packaged mixes because I wanted certain results.

I’m not sure why I’ve never shared this recipe with you for perfect and fluffy pancakes because I’ve been making these for years. None the less, I’m sharing them with you now. Better late than never.

The recipe calls for mixing the batter using a blender. I have found through experience that smooth batter makes the best batter contrary to what others believe. I’m not here to debate someone regarding the merits of whisking by hand or using a blender. I’m just telling you that I have made pancakes at least a hundred times in the last couple years and using a blender gives me superior results.

If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute half milk and half sour cream -slightly different texture but super good. Enjoy!

Blend the wet ingredients first before adding the dry ingredients.

You want your batter to be completely lump free and absolutely smooth.


The batter should be as thick as honey.  Non-stick surfaces with the help of cooking spray work the best for cooking pancakes on the stove.  You want to make sure the pancake is slightly bubbly on top before flipping the pancake over to a perfectly golden brown surface.


Don’t forget the butter, glorious butter.

Buttermilk Pancakes
4.8 from 4 reviews
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Author: Savory Sweet LIfe
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 10 mins
Total time: 20 mins
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • 1 3/4 cup low fat buttermilk
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups flour
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons milk
Instructions
  1. Blend the buttermilk, eggs, butter, and vanilla in a blender at a medium – low speed until well combined.
  2. Slowly add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Continue to blend until the batter is thick and smooth.
  4. Add the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the batter is as thick as honey or cake mix batter
  5. Heat a non-stick frying pan on medium heat and coat it with non-stick spray.
  6. Pour 1/3 cup of the pancake batter onto the pan. Watch for the pancake to form bubbles on the surface and the griddle side of the pancake golden.
  7. Gently but quickly flip the pancake over and cook for 30 seconds or until golden.
  8. Spray non-stick spray between cooking new pancakes.
  9. Serve immediately with butter and maple syrup.
  10. If you don’t have a blender, all the ingredients can be whisked in a bowl until the batter is smooth.
 
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{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }

1
Lori @ RecipeGirl January 10, 2012 at 2:48 pm

Interesting w/ the blender method. All of my recipes call for a lumpy batter. Wonder why that makes a difference?

I’m hungry for pancakes now. They look beautiful!

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2
alice January 12, 2012 at 12:11 am

Hey Lori! :)

I’ve never understood pancake recipes calling for lumpy batter. When I used to follow this method, all I got were clumps and lumps of flour balls – no good. I think using a blender helps for distribution of everything. Once I started using the blender, I never went back to whisking by hand.

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3
Daniel Lee February 3, 2012 at 5:55 pm

The reason for a lumpy batter is not to over mix the pancake batter. When you over-mix it, it will make gluten which will eventually becomes rubbery pancakes. And also you will want to leave the air bubbles inside the batter for airy pancakes.

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4
modernworkinggirl January 10, 2012 at 3:06 pm

Yum. With blueberries and bananas please!

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5
Betsey January 10, 2012 at 3:33 pm

One of my favorite breakfast foods. We make a BIG batch and freeze them for lunches and dinners on the fly. I can’t wait to try this recipe!

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6
Susan January 10, 2012 at 3:48 pm

I can’t wait to try them. They look so delicious

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7
Chitra January 10, 2012 at 4:47 pm

These look yummy. Can you tell me if we can replace the sour cream with yogurt and still get the same results (incase you don’t have buttermilk). Thanks.

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8
alice January 12, 2012 at 12:09 am

Hi Chitra,
Yes, yogurt will work. Just make sure to cut it with milk.

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9
Joan January 10, 2012 at 4:50 pm

I am a pancake freak and am so excited to make these.

I am wondering what boxed pancake mixes you like because I have not found any that taste good enough to make again.

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10
alice January 12, 2012 at 12:09 am

Hi Joan,
I like Krusteaz, but once you go with a really good homemade mix, you don’t go back. Unless you’re camping. :)

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11
Ann P. January 10, 2012 at 6:45 pm

MERCY!!! my weakness is breakfast food <3 <3 these look like heaven!

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12
leslie January 10, 2012 at 9:54 pm

Buttermilk pancakes are the best. My go to recipe is from Joy of Cooking. I will have to give this one a try!

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13
monica January 27, 2012 at 1:19 am

For 20 years now my go-to pancake recipe is from Joy of Cooking. The whole family and all our overnight guests love it too. it. Can’t wait to try try this recipe, though. Maybe tomorrow as there is no school and I have buttermilk in the fridge. I bet everyone will love the addition of vanilla. I usually make a double or triple batch of pancakes on the weekend then save the leftover batter for an easy school morning breakfast before early morning swim practice.

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14
Ramya January 10, 2012 at 11:31 pm

Wow, loved them. They look yummy!! Shall try them soon..

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15
Wendi @ Bon Appetit Hon January 11, 2012 at 8:25 am

I can testify that this recipe makes divine pancakes. It pushes the limit of my ancient blender but it’s worth it.

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16
alice January 12, 2012 at 12:07 am

Wendi – Hahahahaha.

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17
Corinna January 11, 2012 at 12:08 pm

One of our household weaknesses..pancakes. Can’t wait to try your recipe. Quick question. What kind of cookware do you use or suggest owning / buying? My stainless steel set from my MIL just doesn’t do the trick.

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18
alice January 12, 2012 at 12:07 am

Hi Corinna,
For pancakes it’s best to use a non-stick pan. Buy the best one you can within your budget. I have a Le Cresuset non-stick pan I absolutely love.

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19
Michael Smith January 11, 2012 at 12:37 pm

You always take the best pictures of your food! I too have always been told that “lumpy” is best…looking forward to trying this one.
Best homemade recipe I have used is the one from Joy of Cooking…my Aunts swear by it and I now do too.

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20
Jaime {sophistimom} January 11, 2012 at 2:27 pm

These look so golden and delicious, Alice. So perfect.

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21
Rocky Mountain Woman January 11, 2012 at 4:47 pm

I could eat that whole stack right now! And I just had lunch!!!!

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22
Living The Sweet Life January 11, 2012 at 10:57 pm

Pancakes make me the happiest girl, in the world!! I love how you blended the batter, pretty cool – - I’ll have to give that a try. I’ve only ever whisked my batter and left a couple lumps. Did you find the texture different?

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23
Living The Sweet Life January 11, 2012 at 10:57 pm

Pancakes make me the happiest girl, in the world!! I love how you blended the batter, pretty cool – – I’ll have to give that a try. I’ve only ever whisked my batter and left a couple lumps. Did you find the texture different?

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24
Tj's Mom January 11, 2012 at 11:23 pm

Care to share your favorite boxed mix??? We’ve been through a few ourselves!

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25
alice January 12, 2012 at 12:04 am

Hi Tj’s Mom: I love the consistency and flavor of Krusteaz. :)

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26
Abby January 15, 2012 at 10:08 am

Beautiful photos! I’m so glad I stumbled upon your website. Can’t wait to see more :)

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27
Melanie January 19, 2012 at 5:48 am

I made these yesterday, they were an absolute hit!! Loved them, so light and fluffy and scrumptious and divine! With lots of butter and maple syrup…. Yum! Thank you for this great recipe!!

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28
Pennie Azran January 21, 2012 at 1:38 pm

Being a reformed bisquick mix pancake maker myself, I’ve recently been toying with many versions of the buttermilk variety. Yours will be next on my playlist! These look delish and love the addition of vanilla…also, thanks for the buttermilk substitution suggestion!

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29
Sonia January 26, 2012 at 9:41 pm

I make pancakes from scratch on the weekends and have tried various recipes with mixed results too. For school mornings I use a mix and it isn’t bad – but I have been pondering per-mixing my own minus wet ingredients for super busy mornings that would be a little better than the mixes. I am not sure this would help though as it seems the wet ingredients are what take pancakes to the next level, the honey or buttermilk or sour cream.

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30
Amanda January 29, 2012 at 3:52 pm

Made these this morning and they were fabulous! Nice and fluffy, just the way I like pancakes. I did have to add a little more milk to get my blender to incorporate everything, it it turned out fine.

Also, I added some vanilla powder to the dry ingredients and it just made them sweet enough that I barely needed syrup. Topped them with the tiniest bit of caramel syrup instead. So delicious.

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31
alice February 2, 2012 at 2:54 am

Amanda,
Caramel syrup sounds great! I’ve never used vanilla powder – now you have me curious!

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32
Cookin' Canuck January 30, 2012 at 1:42 pm

I suddenly have an overwhelming hankering for pancakes. These look so fluffy and tender, Alice. I have never used a blender for my pancake batter and now am wondering why!

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33
Jeff @ Cheese-Burger.net February 1, 2012 at 12:35 am

I have to agree with you. Using a blender to mix batter produces better results.

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34
Maria Karolemeas February 6, 2012 at 1:48 pm

Hi Alice,I really admire you !THANKS FOR THE GREAT RECIPES!Can you help me out with the buttermilk because they dont sell it here in Greece,what else can I use ?

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