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9 Easy Ways to Make Pancakes More Delicious

Updated Jan. 10, 2024

We've kept these decadent pancake recipe ideas to three steps max, because you shouldn't have to think too hard before breakfast.

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Start with Basic Pancakes:

Combine 1 cup flour, 2 tbs. sugar, 2 tsp. baking powder, and ½ tsp. salt. Stir together 1 cup milk, 2 tbs. melted butter, and 1 egg; add to dry ingredients. Oil a large skillet, and cook pancakes over medium heat until tops and sides have bubbled; flip and cook until golden brown on both sides. All set? Next, get recipe ideas for Rainbow Pancakes, Red Velvet Pancakes, and more.
—Source: Everyday Food

Editor’s Tip: Imagine thick, fluffy, delicious pancakes that you don’t even have to flip. Here’s how this popular TikTok pancake hack worked out in real life.

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Rainbow Pancakes

Make basic recipe. Divide batter among several bowls, one for each desired color. Add food coloring to each; prepare as instructed.
—Inspired by artist Henry Hargreaves

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Lacy Pancakes

Pour basic batter into squeeze bottle (like an old, clean ketchup container); draw designs directly on hot griddle.

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Red Velvet Pancakes

Mix basic batter. Add 1 tbs. cocoa powder and red paste food coloring. Top with cream cheese frosting (4 oz. cream cheese, 2 tbs. butter, 3 tbs. milk, 2 cups powdered sugar).
—Source: bettycrocker.com

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Cake Batter Pancakes

Make basic batter, but substitute yellow cake mix for half the flour;
fold in colorful sprinkles. Top with frosting.
—Source: tablespoon.com

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S’mores Pancakes

Make basic batter with chocolate chips; top with marshmallow crème and graham cracker crumbs.

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Double Chocolate Pancakes

Make basic batter. Add 2 tbs. cocoa powder; fold in chocolate chips.

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Caramelized Bananas Pancakes

Make basic batter and cook pancakes. Sauté sliced bananas in canola oil; add a few spoonfuls of brown sugar and a pinch of salt. Serve over pancakes.

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Cinnamon Streusel

Make basic batter and cook pancakes. Combine ½ cup flour, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp. cinnamon, and 6 tbs. cubed butter until crumb mixture forms. Sprinkle over warm pancakes. Make your favorite pancakes extra delicious with these fun, unexpected mix-ins.

Source: twopeasandtheirpod.com

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Corn Cakes

Make basic batter. Add ½ cup cornmeal and 1 cup frozen (thawed) corn kernels. Serve with honey—or salsa and sour cream!

Reader's Digest
Originally Published in Reader's Digest