Pancakes and Syrup from Scratch

I don’t know why I haven’t shared my pancake and maple syrup recipes with you yet. I honestly make pancakes every other day for my girls. We love them! I have loved making my pancakes and syrup from scratch.

Remember I told you that a goal for 2012 was that I wanted to make more things from scratch? Well, pancakes and syrup are so easy, why not? Plus, they are sooooo much yummier when they’re homemade! I’ve tried and tested a lot of pancake recipes from scratch and finally came across one and then tweeked a few things to make it how I love it. So without further adieu…

Best Ever Homemade Pancakes

(I use this same recipe to make waffles too!)

1.5 C. Flour

3 T. Sugar

3 t. Baking Powder

Dash of salt

4 T. butter

1.5 C. milk

2 Eggs

1.5 t. vanilla

Wisk the eggs, milk, and vanilla together then set aside. In a separate bowl, mix all dry ingredients. Slowly add the egg mixture into the dry mixture. DON’T OVERMIX, or you’ll get flat pancakes!

In a separate bowl, melt butter. Fold it into your pancake mixture then let sit for 5 minutes before putting on the griddle. And make sure you dip your finger in and have a taste of the batter ’cause it is sooooo good!

A little twist: Sometimes I like to add some ‘hidden health’. If I feel like doing that then I add 1/2 C. rolled oats and 2 smashed bananas. MMMM! Enjoy!
**Also, I always have a bunch left over since I usually just make them for the girls and me so I put them in a freezer zip-lock and we have them for the rest of the week. Easy breakfast!

Check out my recipe for Pumpkin Protein Pancakes HERE.

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Here is my recipe for yummy Maple Syrup

Best Ever Homemade Maple Syrup

4 C. Sugar

2 C. Water

1 T. Karo Syrup

1/2 C. Brown Sugar

1 t. Maple Extract

1/2 t. Vanilla

Put sugar, water, karo syrup, and brown sugar in a pan and bring to a rolling boil while stirring. Let simmer for 5 minutes. Add the maple extract and vanilla extract.

Every time I am going to make pancakes my girls ask if they can help me. They love being in the kitchen. I used to just tell them I would make them really quick but then I started to realize what a fun thing it is to have my girls want to learn to do what I do. I have taken this as an opportunity to teach then a skill and to create memories with them. Instead of stressing about messes and putting in wrong ingredients I have found that if I let them have their own bowl and utinsels, I worry less.

So here are a few tips if you have little helpers in the kitchen with you:
1. Get them their own aprons. I just let them wear mine and they love it. It makes them feel more legit.
2. Give them their own little bowl and wooden spoon.
3. Let them get their ingredients. Instead of letting them put in large amounts of ingredients, I just let them use a small spoonful or even tablespoons/teaspoons.
4. Let them stir! They love this. However, I don’t ever let them use eggs in theirs because they always end up wanting to taste test!
5. Just throw their mixture away since they obviously aren’t really making anything and there is only a small amount you will be wasting. There may be extra dishes to do, but don’t worry about it – you just made a memory!

I love that my girls love being in the kitchen with me and hope that it is something they will remember forever. Plus, this is a skill they will have when they get married and make breakfast for their families!