Best 9 Best Buttermilk Pancakes Cooks Illustrated Recipes

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Buttermilk pancakes, a timeless classic for breakfast or brunch, hold a special place in the hearts of pancake enthusiasts everywhere. With their fluffy texture, golden-brown edges, and the subtle tanginess of buttermilk, these pancakes are a culinary delight that can elevate any morning meal. The key to achieving the perfect buttermilk pancake lies in understanding the science behind the ingredients and mastering the art of the cooking process. In this article, we will delve into the world of buttermilk pancakes, exploring the secrets to creating the best buttermilk pancakes that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

THE BEST BUTTERMILK PANCAKES



The Best Buttermilk Pancakes image

We're transporting you to the old-fashioned diner for a plate of fluffy buttermilk pancakes. Our recipe has both baking powder for an airy and light interior and baking soda for that even golden-brown exterior. We love the tang of buttermilk and the richness of butter for an even cakier stack. This recipe is easy enough for a fast breakfast with the kids or doubled for a weekend brunch with friends.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 25m

Yield about 12 pancakes

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for brushing
Butter and maple syrup, for serving

Steps:

  • Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla and melted butter in a medium bowl until incorporated. Whisk the egg mixture into the flour mixture until just combined (it's OK if there are a few lumps).
  • Heat a griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium heat; lightly brush with butter. Pour 1/2 cup batter onto the griddle for each pancake and cook until bubbles form on top and the bottom is lightly browned, about 3 minutes. (If the pancakes are browning too quickly, reduce the heat to medium-low.) Flip and continue cooking until golden on the other side, about 1 more minute. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining batter, brushing the pan with more butter as necessary. Serve with butter and syrup.

BEST BUTTERMILK PANCAKES



Best Buttermilk Pancakes image

These are my families all time favorite. I like the fact that they freeze well. The kids can take out the amount they will eat.

Provided by kfcook

Categories     Breakfast

Time 25m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons white sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup milk
3 eggs
1/3 cup butter, melted

Steps:

  • Directions:.
  • In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and baking soda; stir well.
  • In a separate bowl, beat together buttermilk, milk, eggs and melted butter. Keep the two mixtures separate until you are ready to cook. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. You can flick water across the surface and if it beads up and sizzles, it's ready!
  • Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture, using a wooden spoon or fork to blend. Stir until it's just blended together. Do not over stir!
  • Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/2 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.
  • Freeze the leftovers. From freezer, just reheat in microwave.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 441.1, Fat 15, SaturatedFat 8.5, Cholesterol 127.8, Sodium 955.3, Carbohydrate 61.5, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 12.4, Protein 14.4

THE BEST FLUFFIEST BUTTERMILK PANCAKES ON THE PLANET!



The Best Fluffiest Buttermilk Pancakes on the Planet! image

And when I say best I mean best! This recipe goes back years and the name of the recipe says it all! -- throw in some fresh blueberries -- yield is only estimated :)

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories     Breakfast

Time 10m

Yield 15 pancakes

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 -4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup sour cream
5 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Steps:

  • In a large bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar and salt.
  • In another bowl whisk together eggs, buttermilk, sour cream, melted butter and vanilla (if using) add to the flour mixture; whisk until smooth (the batter will be thick!).
  • Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes at room temperature.
  • After 5 minutes whisk or mix again.
  • Drop about 1/4-cup batter onto a medium-hot skillet; cook until lightly browned on the bottom, turn and cook until browned.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 140.4, Fat 6.4, SaturatedFat 3.7, Cholesterol 40.1, Sodium 367.1, Carbohydrate 17, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 4.2, Protein 3.7

BEST BUTTERMILK PANCAKES



Best Buttermilk Pancakes image

The key to light and fluffy buttermilk pancakes from scratch? Don't overmix the batter-it should have small to medium lumps.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Breakfast & Brunch Recipes     Pancake Recipes

Yield Makes nine 6-inch pancakes

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups buttermilk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus 1/2 teaspoon for griddle
1 cup fresh blueberries (optional)

Steps:

  • Heat griddle to 375 degrees. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a medium bowl. Add eggs, buttermilk, and 4 tablespoons butter; whisk to combine. Batter should have small to medium lumps.
  • Heat oven to 175 degrees. Test griddle by sprinkling a few drops of water on it. If water bounces and spatters off griddle, it is hot enough. Using a pastry brush, brush remaining 1/2 teaspoon of butter or reserved bacon fat onto griddle. Wipe off excess.
  • Using a 4-ounce ladle, about 1/2 cup, pour pancake batter, in pools 2 inches away from one other. Scatter with berries, if using. When pancakes have bubbles on top and are slightly dry around edges, about 2 1/2 minutes, flip over. Cook until golden on bottom, about 1 minute.
  • Repeat with remaining batter, keeping finished pancakes on a heatproof plate in oven. Serve with Cranberry Syrup.

PERFECT BUTTERMILK PANCAKES



Perfect Buttermilk Pancakes image

Pancakes are the hero of the breakfast table, and their very taste can even be described as "deeply breakfasty": eggy, salty, just this side of sweet. A little indulgent and yet still somehow appropriate first thing in the morning, those fluffy stacks with crisped edges, dripping with maple syrup, are everything you want, exactly when you want them. Here is how to get to them right every time, whether it's a lazy Sunday morning or a hurried weekday.

Provided by Alison Roman

Categories     breakfast, brunch, pancakes, main course

Time 10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
2 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Vegetable, canola or coconut oil for the pan

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and kosher salt together in a bowl. Using the whisk, make a well in the center. Pour the buttermilk into the well and crack eggs into buttermilk. Pour the melted butter into the mixture. Starting in the center, whisk everything together, moving towards the outside of the bowl, until all ingredients are incorporated. Do not overbeat (lumps are fine). The batter can be refrigerated for up to one hour.
  • Heat a large nonstick griddle or skillet, preferably cast-iron, over low heat for about 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet. Turn heat up to medium-low and using a measuring cup, ladle 1/3 cup batter into the skillet. If you are using a large skillet or a griddle, repeat once or twice, taking care not to crowd the cooking surface.
  • Flip pancakes after bubbles rise to surface and bottoms brown, about 2 to 4 minutes. Cook until the other sides are lightly browned. Remove pancakes to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet, and keep in heated oven until all the batter is cooked and you are ready to serve.

BEST FLUFFY BUTTERMILK PANCAKES (AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN)



Best Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes (America's Test Kitchen) image

From Cook's Illustrated (July, 2009). The pancakes can be cooked on an electric griddle. Set the griddle temperature to 350 F and cook as directed. The test kitchen prefers a lower-protein all-purpose flour like Gold Medal or Pillsbury. If you use an all-purpose flour with a higher protein content, like King Arthur, you will need to add an extra tablespoon or two of buttermilk.

Provided by blucoat

Categories     Breakfast

Time 30m

Yield 16 4-inch pancakes

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (10 ounces)
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 -2 teaspoon vegetable oil

Steps:

  • Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 200 degrees. Spray wire rack set inside baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray; place in oven. Whisk flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together in medium bowl. In second medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, sour cream, eggs, and melted butter. Make well in center of dry ingredients and pour in wet ingredients; gently stir until just combined (batter should remain lumpy with few streaks of flour). Do not overmix. Allow batter to sit 10 minutes before cooking.
  • Heat 1 teaspoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Using paper towels, carefully wipe out oil, leaving thin film of oil on bottom and sides of pan. Using ¼ cup measure, portion batter into pan in 4 places. Cook until edges are set, first side is golden brown, and bubbles on surface are just beginning to break, 2 to 3 minutes. Using thin, wide spatula, flip pancakes and continue to cook until second side is golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Serve pancakes immediately, or transfer to wire rack in preheated oven. Repeat with remaining batter, using remaining oil as necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 112.8, Fat 4.2, SaturatedFat 2.2, Cholesterol 32.1, Sodium 179.2, Carbohydrate 15.2, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 3.2, Protein 3.5

BUTTERMILK PANCAKES



Buttermilk Pancakes image

Categories     Dairy     Breakfast     Brunch     Fry     Bon Appétit     Kidney Friendly     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes about 22 pancakes

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups all purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups buttermilk
3 large eggs, separated
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Butter
Pure maple syrup

Steps:

  • Whisk flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl to blend. Add buttermilk, egg yolks and vanilla and whisk until smooth (batter will be very thick). Using electric mixer, beat whites in medium bowl to soft peaks. Add remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and beat until stiff but not dry; fold into batter.
  • Melt butter on griddle or in heavy large skillet over medium-low heat. Working in batches, pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto griddle. Cook until pancakes are golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to plates. Serve with syrup.

BEST EVER BUTTERMILK PANCAKES



Best Ever Buttermilk Pancakes image

I found this recipe years ago in "The pleasures of your Processor" by Norene Gilletz. It makes the best pancakes everytime. A sure winner with kids and adults alike.

Provided by T.L. Sim

Categories     Breakfast

Time 10m

Yield 14 4inch pancakes

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 1/4 cups flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 egg
2 tablespoons oil (canola or veg.)

Steps:

  • Using a food processor, mix together all dry ingredients and pulse 4-5 times to blend.
  • Add remaining ingredients and process until smooth.
  • About 10 seconds.
  • Do not overprocess.
  • Pour onto a hot slightly greased griddle and cook until bubbles appear on the top side.
  • Flip over and brown.

COOK'S ILLUSTRATED LIGHT & FLUFFY PANCAKES



Cook's Illustrated Light & Fluffy Pancakes image

This batter serves four perfectly for a light weekday breakfast. You may want to double the recipe for weekend pancake making, when appetites are larger. If you happen to be using salted butter or buttermilk, you may want to cut back a bit on the salt. If you don't have any buttermilk, mix three-quarters cup of room temperature milk with one tablespoon of lemon juice and let it stand for five minutes. Substitute this "clabbered milk" for the three-quarters cup of buttermilk and one-quarter cup of milk in this recipe. Since this milk mixture is not as thick as buttermilk, the batter and resulting pancakes will not be as thick.

Provided by Gillian Spence

Categories     Breakfast

Time 15m

Yield 8 3 inch pancakes, 3-4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup milk (plus an extra tablespoon or so if batter is too thick)
1 large egg, separated
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vegetable oil (for brushing griddle)

Steps:

  • Mix dry ingredients in medium bowl.
  • Pour buttermilk and milk into 2-cup Pyrex measuring cup. Whisk in egg white; mix yolk with melted butter, then stir into milk mixture.
  • Dump wet ingredients into dry ingredients all at once; whisk until just mixed.
  • Meanwhile, heat griddle or large skillet over strong medium-high heat. Brush griddle generously with oil.
  • When water splashed on surface confidently sizzles, pour batter, about 1/4 cup at a time, onto griddle, making sure not to overcrowd. When pancake bottoms are brown and top surface starts to bubble, 2 to 3 minutes, flip cakes and cook until remaining side has browned, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Re-oil the skillet and repeat for the next batch of pancakes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 305.4, Fat 12.4, SaturatedFat 6.4, Cholesterol 87.7, Sodium 652.8, Carbohydrate 38.8, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 5.9, Protein 9.2

Tips:

  • Use fresh buttermilk. Fresh buttermilk will give your pancakes a light and fluffy texture. If you don't have fresh buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing the batter will make your pancakes tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Let the batter rest for 5 minutes before cooking. This will allow the gluten in the flour to relax, which will make your pancakes more tender.
  • Cook the pancakes over medium heat. If the heat is too high, the pancakes will burn on the outside before they're cooked through. If the heat is too low, the pancakes will be dry and tough.
  • Flip the pancakes once. Flipping the pancakes too often will make them tough. Flip them once, when the edges are dry and bubbles start to form on the surface.
  • Serve the pancakes immediately. Pancakes are best served hot off the griddle. If you need to keep them warm, place them in a warm oven or on a warming tray.

Conclusion:

Buttermilk pancakes are a classic breakfast food that is easy to make and loved by people of all ages. By following these tips, you can make the best buttermilk pancakes that are light, fluffy, and delicious. So next time you're in the mood for a hearty and satisfying breakfast, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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