The Secret Ingredient for the World’s Best Pancakes & Waffles

This easy breakfast recipe for the world’s best pancakes comes with a family secret ingredient. Have delicious pancakes at every family gathering where a special breakfast recipe is needed.

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Hey, y’all, Tiffany here, and I’ve got the a recipe for the world’s best pancakes for you!

About six years ago, my paternal grandparents were called on their fourth mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  At the time, Phillip and I had just moved to Houston and our oldest was born.  I was in and out of the hospital a lot, and life was really, really difficult.

Guess where my grandma and grandpa were called to serve their mission?

That’s right, to Houston.

To the same mission that we were living in.

Is Heavenly Father amazing, or what?

We had some amazing times together with my grandparents with our new baby (their first great-grandchild!).  We played cards in the hospital (anyone else play Hand & Foot?), and they came to our house several times to check on us.

Even though they were extremely busy with their missionary responsibilities, they made time to come over and make us dinner: the world’s best pancakes.

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Family Tradition

Now, this is no ordinary pancake recipe. This is a secret family pancake recipe that my grandparents have been using since they met each other in college 60 years ago.

And you want to know what the secret ingredient is for the world’s best pancakes?

A 60-year-old griddle.

Yep, that’s right – my grandparents are still cooking pancakes on the same griddle they’ve been using for 60 years!

It’s still going strong, and it’s cooked probably hundreds of thousands of pancakes over the years.

Between family reunions (and my dad has 7 siblings), missionaries (they’ve served four missions!), and Fourth of July church breakfasts, that griddle has been put to work!

Meanwhile, Phillip and I are on our 3rd griddle in 10 years of marriage. They sure don’t make things the way they used to! Thankfully this Presto griddle here has held up for at least five of those years.

Another thing that makes these pancakes amazing is my grandmother’s copycat recipe for Magleby’s buttermilk syrup. You can also place them as waffles or pancakes to help make up an Easy Breakfast Charcuterie Board.

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Pancake Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you need to make the world’s best pancakes

• 1 cup flour
• 1Tbsp white sugar
• 1 t baking powder
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1/4 t salt
• 1 c buttermilk (or 1 c milk with 1 T white vinegar, let stand for 5 minutes)
• 1Tbps oil
• 1 egg

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Recipe for the world’s best pancakes

Okay, I know y’all don’t have a 60 year old griddle hanging out in your kitchen, but you can still have the world’s best pancakes with my grandparents’ secret recipe.

(And unlike the Bush’s Beans dog, I have permission to share this).

Bowl #1

• 1 cup flour
• 1Tbsp white sugar
• 1 t baking powder
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1/4 t salt

Sift together the above ingredients.

Bowl #2:

• 1 c buttermilk (or 1 c milk with 1 T white vinegar, let stand for 5 minutes)
• 1Tbps oil
• 1 egg

If you have leftover buttermilk, or you want to make more recipes with buttermilk, try out this buttermilk scones recipe.

If you want something a little sweeter instead, then this Sweet Cream Waffles recipe is a good choice.

Combine:

Pour the wet ingredients bowl into the dry ingredients bowl while you stir. You can use this for pancakes or waffles. 

Scoop onto a griddle.

Cook until you see bubbles start to form on the top – that’s how you know it’s ready to be flipped over!

I love topping the world’s best pancakes with this delicious maple syrup that my grandparents discovered on their second mission to Canada.

Pancakes for dinner at my grandparents’ house is a family tradition that I’ve carried on to my children – preserving it for four generations!

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Making Waffles

The best part about this recipe is that it works perfectly for waffles, too! Just put the batter in your favorite waffle pan instead of a griddle!

One last tip for the world’s best pancakes

One of my 6 tips for parents with chronic illness is to double dinners on the days you feel well and freeze them. 

This world’s best pancake recipe is perfect for that!!  I just put the contents of Bowl #1 into a ziploc bag.  On the outside, I use a Sharpie to write the 3 remaining ingredients.  It’s like having my own boxed pancake mix!

This tip is also great for babysitters to use as well. You can even provide this cute Pig & Pancakes Letter Recognition Activity for them to use along with the pancakes recipe!

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Delicious Ways to Top Your Pancakes

In need of some new ideas for toppings for this delicious pancake recipe? Here’s a few ideas to get your taste buds ready!

1. Maple Syrup:

A classic pancake topping, maple syrup offers a sweet and slightly earthy flavor that complements the fluffy texture of pancakes perfectly. Made from the sap of maple trees, it adds a natural sweetness and richness that enhances the overall taste of the dish. Or if it’s not your thing, you can try these substitutes for maple syrup.

Maple syrup also tastes amazing when poured over these German Pancakes.

2. Fresh Berries:

Bursting with vibrant colors and natural sweetness, fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries provide a refreshing contrast to the soft pancake texture. Fresh berries are a nutritious and delicious topping choice for a finished pancake.

You can also cook the pancakes with the berries inside, like with these Blueberry Lemon Pancakes.

3. Sliced Bananas:

Sliced bananas add a creamy texture and mild sweetness to pancakes, creating a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Rich in potassium and fiber, bananas also provide a nutritional boost to your pancake.

You can also put bananas into your recipe, like in these banana oat pancakes.

4. Chocolate Chips:

Chocolate chips add indulgent richness and decadence to pancakes, melting slightly when cooked to create pockets of gooey chocolate goodness. Whether you add milk, chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate, they offer a deliciously satisfying flavor that kids will love.

If you really want to go all-out, give these S’mores Pancakes a try!

5. Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting:

Light and airy whipped cream cheese frosting adds a touch of sweetness and a creamy texture to pancakes, elevating them to dessert-like status. Whether homemade or store-bought, whipped cream provides a delightful heavenly experience.

6. Nutella or Chocolate Hazelnut Spread:

Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread offers a luscious combination of chocolate and hazelnut flavors that pair beautifully with pancakes. Creamy and rich, it melts slightly when warmed, creating a luxurious topping that satisfies sweet cravings.

7. Honey:

Honey provides a natural sweetness and floral aroma that enhances the flavor of pancakes without overpowering them. Honey offers a unique and delicate flavor that complements the soft pancake texture.

8. Chopped Nuts:

Chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, and almonds add crunch, texture, and nutty flavor to pancakes, creating a satisfying contrast to the soft pancake texture. Whether toasted or raw, nuts provide a nutritious boost of protein, healthy fats, and vitamins.

9. Greek Yogurt:

Creamy Greek yogurt offers a tangy and slightly tart flavor that adds a refreshing contrast to the sweetness of pancakes. Greek yogurt provides a creamy texture and a satisfying pancake topping option.

10. Fruit Compote:

Fruit compote made from cooked fruits like apple, peach, or mixed berries offers a burst of fruity flavor and natural sweetness to pancakes. Whether served warm or chilled over mixed top, fruit compote provides a delightful, delicious breakfast or brunch dish.

11. Peanut Butter:

Creamy or crunchy peanut butter adds a rich and nutty flavor to pancakes, creating a deliciously satisfying combination of sweet and savory tastes. Packed with protein and healthy fats, peanut butter provides a wholesome and filling breakfast option.

12. Coconut Flakes:

Toasted coconut flakes add a tropical flair and a crunchy texture to pancakes, enhancing their flavor and visual appeal.

13. Cinnamon Sugar:

A simple yet delicious topping, cinnamon sugar adds warmth and sweetness to pancakes, infusing them with cozy, comforting flavors. Made from a mixture of ground cinnamon and granulated sugar, it provides a delightful balance of spice and sweetness that enhances the overall taste of pancakes.

14. Lemon Curd:

Tangy and citrusy lemon curd offers a burst of bright flavor that complements the sweetness of pancakes perfectly. Made from lemon juice, sugar, egg milk, and butter, lemon curd creates a deliciously satisfying breakfast or brunch dish.

15. Fruit Jam or Jelly:

Fruit jam or jelly adds a burst of fruity flavor and natural sweetness to pancakes, creating a delightful contrast to the soft pancake texture. Whether made from raspberries, apricots, or oranges, fruit jam or jelly provides a delicious topping option. We personally love our Homemade Freezer Strawberry Jam Recipe.

16. Vanilla Ice Cream:

Creamy and indulgent vanilla ice cream adds a touch of luxury and decadence to pancakes, transforming them into a delectable dessert-like treat. Served on top or alongside pancakes, vanilla ice cream provides a rich flavor that satisfies sweet cravings.

17. Sprinkles or Candy Toppings:

Colorful sprinkles or candy toppings add whimsy and fun to pancakes, creating a visually appealing and festive breakfast or brunch dish. Rainbow sprinkles, chocolate chips, or gummy bears, provide a delightful burst of sweetness and a playful touch to pancakes.

18. Caramel Sauce:

Rich and buttery caramel sauce adds indulgent sweetness and a hint of saltiness to pancakes, creating a decadent flavor profile that appeals to caramel lovers. Drizzled on top of fluffy pancakes or swirled into the pancake batter, enrich the pancake-eating experience.

19. Melted Butter:

Simple yet delicious, melted butter adds a rich and creamy flavor to pancakes, enhancing their overall taste and texture. Brushed on top or served alongside pancakes, melted butter completes the pancakes.

20. Bacon Crumbles:

Crispy bacon crumbles add smoky, savory flavor and a satisfying crunch to pancakes and create a deliciously indulgent topping option that appeals to savory breakfast lovers.

Pin It!

If you like these pancakes, then please share this pin for the world’s best pancakes on Pinterest!