Pancakes are not just a quick breakfast pastry. They are a nostalgia for childhood, when grandma would put a plate with a mountain of plump, fragrant circles on the table.
But why are your pancakes flat like flatbreads? We'll reveal the military secrets of perfect fluffiness, and you'll never go back to old recipes!
The main enemy of airy pancakes
Don't extinguish the soda with vinegar! Instead, mix 300 ml of kefir, 1 egg, 2 tbsp. of sugar, a pinch of salt.
Separately sift 250 g of flour with 1 tsp of soda and gradually pour into the liquid mixture. The soda will react with the sour kefir - the dough will start to bubble.
Leave it for 10 minutes - during this time even more bubbles will appear. If you don't have kefir, use sour milk or ryazhenka.
Dough in a frying pan
You need to fry in a well-heated frying pan with a thick bottom.
Pour the oil in a layer of 3–4 mm – this way the pancakes will rise evenly and won’t burn.
Spoon the dough into the pan without spreading it.
As soon as the surface is covered with holes, turn them over. But do not press on them with a spatula! Otherwise, they will settle as if mown down.
What about the oil?
Another secret: add 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the dough. This will make the crust crispy and the crumb moist.
And if you want mega-fluffy pancakes, separate the whites from the yolks. Mix the yolks with the dough, and beat the whites into a stiff foam and carefully mix into the mixture before frying.
For variety, mix apples, pumpkin or cheese with garlic into the dough. Serve with condensed milk, honey or caviar - depending on your mood.
And remember: pancakes are best eaten right away, while they're hot! But if there are any left, no problem. Reheat them in a dry frying pan or toaster.
And if the dough is too thick
Add a couple of spoons of milk or water. If it is runny, add some flour, but do not overdo it, otherwise the pancakes will become “heavy”.
And never stir the dough too vigorously - the air bubbles will collapse and you won't see any fluffiness.
Want to surprise the kids?
Make pancake figures! Put the dough in the shape of hearts, stars or animals. Use a pastry syringe or just a spoon.
And also try chocolate pancakes: add 2 tbsp. cocoa and chocolate pieces to the dough. Serve with ice cream - and you will become an idol of all the kids!
