Friday, March 19, 2010

Buttermilk Pancakes

I have never used buttermilk in baking. This is probably surprising to many bakers, but honestly the only stuff I ever saw in the stores had artificial ingredients, which I try to stay away from. Well, the other day I saw on the shelf some buttermilk from Butterworks Farm in Vermont, the same company which sells the heavy cream I use exclusively. The ingredients in this buttermilk are pasteurized nonfat milk and active cultures. Period.

Here is my first recipe using this buttermilk, and it won't be the last! These pancakes are the best we've ever, ever tasted. I'm thinking I might make them once a week.

Buttermilk Pancakes

Mix together:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 Tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
scant 1/2 teaspoon salt

Melt 2 1/2 Tablespoons butter

Beat together:
1 egg
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup milk
the melted butter

Keep the two mixtures separate until you are ready to cook.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan (I used my new griddle) to medium high heat.

Pour milk mixture into dry mixture, using a wooden spoon or fork to blend.
Stir until it is just blended together.
Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using about 1/3 cup for each pancake.
Brown on both sides and serve.

From batter


To griddle


To table, served with butter and real maple syrup


The recipe made ten pancakes; four for Tom, three for me, and three for Ben and Sadie!


24 comments:

  1. Those pancakes look yummy! Love your dogs!!

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  2. Hi Nan: You will love baking with buttermilk, it is a staple in my kitchen. These pancakes look good enough to eat, I think we shall try them very soon.

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  3. Sherri, the dogs love pancakes!

    Hip Chick, they are great!

    Donna, I'm looking forward to it. Hope you do try this recipe. It was very easy, and just delicious!

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  4. We love buttermilk pancakes at our house but the group is divided between those who like little dollar sized ones and those who prefer the extra-large size. All are good!

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  5. They sound lovely Nan, My Great Aunt lived on a small farm and made her own butter she had a recipe for buttermilk fruit cake that we loved and my sister wrote down the recipe..if you think it might appeal I'd look it out for you. It's not a rich fruit cake and it's rather yummy. See what you think.

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  6. Lovely! And your posting the pictures of the process of pancake-making along with your dogs enjoying the result reminded me of my "Pizza for Dummies" blog entry :-)
    I will, by the way, be making pizza tomorrow for my pre-birthday-party-guests. Cat will of course have her share of the ham!

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  7. The photos of the pups eating made me laugh..the one looks like it was sheer bliss!!!!

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  8. Now I know what we are having for breakfast this morning. These sound and look yummy; thanks

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  9. Blackbird, the taste is so different from anything else. I just love it.

    Val, I like fruit desserts, and I like cake, but not fruitcake. :<) Though you are so very sweet to offer.

    That's it, Erin!

    Librarian, I loved that post on your pizza making! So you have a birthday coming up? An Aries girl?!

    Staci, that was Sadie with her eyes closed. They just love those pancakes. And dogs, despite common opinion, do not like just anything. Ben won't eat peanuts, and Sadie won't eat pizza crust.

    Diane, I hope they turn out well for you!!

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  10. Nan, you are right, it is my birthday on Monday - but Mondays are bad for birthdays (at least with my working schedule!), and so I have decided to have my birthday "do" a day early :-)
    There will be my Pizza and Tiramisu, and my friend will make Lasagne, my mum is bringing a huge bowl of salad plus a chocolate cake - that should be plenty for everyone!

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  11. Librarian, it sounds like a lovely time. wish I could be there!!

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  12. Yumm-o! These are almost exactly the same as Rod's. I read somewhere that it's a good idea to let the batter sit for 5 minutes after mixing. Something to do with the buttermilk doing its work with the dried ingredients. Gets it light and airy, I think.

    Annie likes pancakes, too. With or without oatmeal. :)

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  13. Les, they were definitely light and airy. I've bought two more bottles of buttermilk, in the expectation of making these once a week. Perfect.

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  14. I think you're going to enjoy cooking with buttermilk. I use it not only for pancakes--yours look wonderful!--but also for biscuits and cornbread. I know you're a fiend for cornbread, so I suggest you use buttermilk in your next one.

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  15. Oh my, these look wonderful.
    Maybe I could half. Or make the full recipe when my little girls visit. I have discovered an organic farm and dairy not far from my home. I will be making a visit.

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  16. Mary Lois, I love it- 'a fiend for cornbread'
    I have some darkening bananas so may look for a buttermilk/banana recipe today.

    Ernestine, first of all I love your new little picture! And how exciting to have found the dairy. This will add a whole new dimension to your new country life. Exciting! I'll bet the girls will love the pancakes - you could add some fruit or top with whipped cream!

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  17. Banana bread (or muffins)is great made with buttermilk.

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  18. Oh those pannycakes sure look good! I am a sucker for anything buttermilk - that slight tangy taste. Oh boy. I'm getting a hankering right now. :)

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  19. Colleen, hope you try them! Perfection!

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  20. Yummy looking pancakes and lucky dogs to enjoy them - literally and figuratively. I'm looking forward to Saturday morning - my day for breakfast!
    I've got a delicious recipe for currant scones made w/ buttermilk. I'll send it if you like.

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  21. Yes, please, Candy!! I don't have currants, though. What could I substitute??

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