Pancakes with yeast are light and fluffy, low in sugar and easy to make. They are a perfect Sunday morning breakfast, served with a simple fruit compote (recipe below) or any other favourite toppings.
How to make pancakes with yeast
The first thing you need to do is get your milk warm to the correct temperature – not too hot or too cold. It is best to check this with a thermometer or by holding the cup in your hand. Once the milk is warm, add it to the dry ingredients along with a pinch of salt and yeast. It will need to be stirred in well until it is a smooth batter. Then leave it to prove for 30 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
Once it has risen, pour the batter on a nonstick griddle or skillet and cook until bubbles form on top and a few golden brown spots appear on the bottom. Flip and cook until the other side is also a golden brown.
If the pancakes are hard to turn over, they need more time to rise and cook through (reduce the heat a little and cook them longer). Then once they are cooked, remove them from the heat and allow them to cool slightly before transferring them to a plate.
When the pancakes are cool, flip them over and serve with a variety of toppings, such as yoghurt, jam, marmalade or peanut butter. You can even sprinkle them with a little sugar and cinnamon for extra oomph!
How to make Polish pancakes with yeast
This recipe is based on a traditional Polish dish. It is called ‘racuchy’, and it is easy to make – just mix all the ingredients together, leave to prove for one hour and then you are ready to go! They are much tastier than American style pancakes and will make an excellent start to the day.
You can use a wide range of flours to make these pancakes, including self-raising or plain. The main advantage of using self-raising flour is that it is easier to measure and keep on hand. However, the batter will be a little thicker so you may need to add a small amount of milk to get the right consistency.
How to make pancakes with a nonstick pan
You will need to grease a non-stick griddle or skillet with oil or butter before cooking these pancakes. If you don’t have a nonstick pan, you can use a medium-sized, well-seasoned cast iron skillet. Just ensure that you are not overcrowding the pan or the pancakes will burn before they are done.
To cook the pancakes, place a few tablespoons of oil in a frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat. The oil should cover the base of the pan. When the oil is hot, drop spoonfuls of the batter into the pan, spacing them well so that they don’t overcrowd. Fry for a few minutes on each side, until they are cooked through.