American Style Pancakes

I love Sundays. I realise this isn't a statement that makes me unique, but I do. And this is why.

My son is a Daddy's boy. Through and through, probably because they are the same mental age, but it means I'm generally not involved in games concerning cars, superheros, fire trucks... I just don't have the imagination for it and the child knows it.  I'm about finding fun, my husband creates it.  But even the car I made from a box, Daddy got the credit for (and the a-hole took it!)

However, Sunday morning is our time - one of the first things out of his mouth is 'Can we make pancakes, mummy'.  I love it.  Every week, my baby boy and I make delicious pancakes for the family - he cracks the egg, pours in the milk, gives a little stir before he gets bored.  Super easy, super fluffy, super quick and even better, child friendly, both in the making and the eating.  They are resolutely family friendly too - no baddies in the salt and sugar world in these babies means they are the perfect Baby Led Weaning food.

But like the three bears, we all have our own ways to guzzle these:

• The baby - plain with a side of banana 


• The Child - SMOTHERED with Nutella (It's the weekend after all)


• The Man - sandwiched with pancake crack (also known as Pancake Syrup from Tate and Lyle) and bananas, sometimes topped with a few blueberries


• Me - Stacked with maple syrup and fresh fruit (main picture) with a Nutella pancake chaser because I just can't resist.

One mix of this bad boy makes enough for a greedy Sunday breakfast for me and The Man, three for The Child, one for The Baby and one or two for the dog (not surprisingly, he has his plain).  There are around 20 pancakes about 7cm in diameter using a pancake pan but if using a frying pan you can choose your own size - but any bigger than 10cm or so won't cook inside before the outside is done.

When The Baby has a bigger appetite, I'll simply make double and keep the rest in the fridge until needed (a blast in the microwave will bring them back to life) or freeze until you have visitors, or more likely, need a snack-like bribe for the kids.

Finally, if you eat these every week, do invest in a pancake pan - they somehow make better pancakes and satisfy my need for uniformity in an otherwise crazy life.  Mine is from Amazon, here, but you can also get one with smiley faces here!  I've got a Christmas one too.... Sad.

American Style Pancakes (makes 20-24 small pancakes).

• 200g self-raising flour


• 1tsp baking powder


• 300ml milk (semi-skimmed works best but if making for a baby, try to use whole if you are concerned)


• 1 egg


• 1/2 tsp flavourless oil (we use sunflower)

1. Simply place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and whisk until the consistency of double cream and no lumps remain.


2. Brush a non-stick pan with a the oil - there only needs be a super light coating.  Best to use a frying pan or, even better, a pancake pan like in the pictures.


3. Heat on a medium heat until hot then pour a tbsp of batter into each pancake hole or into the pan until all holes or full, or you've no more room in your pan without them touching each other.


4. Fry over a medium heat until little bubbles show on the uncooked surface then turn and cook on the other side.  If you are unsure, lift the edge of a pancake to see if they are a light golden brown and ready to turn.


5. Cook on the other side, checking after a couple of minutes to see if they are done.


6. Slide onto a serving plate and keep warm until the rest are cooked.


7. Repeat until all batter is used.


8. Serve topped with your favourite sweet topping

There's no need to serve them sweet - with no sugar in the batter a topping of cream cheese and ham might be nice?  Give it a try and let me know.