Fluffy Diner Pancakes
These thick and fluffy pancakes are a copycat of the viral ones from Middle Child in Philly, featuring a secret ingredient—yeast—that gives them their perfectly airy texture. Skip the long lines and enjoy golden, melt-in-your-mouth pancakes at home, with a drizzle of honey butter maple sauce that takes them over the top!
Ingredients
- For the Batter - Proof:
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 1 ¼ cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- For the Batter - Dry:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- For the Batter - Wet:
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- For the Honey Butter Maple Sauce:
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- Pinch of salt
- Other:
- Cubes of butter to add on top
Instructions
- Proof the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the whole milk, buttermilk, flour, instant yeast, and sugar. Let it bloom in a warm place for 1 hour until bubbly and airy.
- Make the Honey Butter Maple Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Stir in the honey, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt until smooth and glossy. Set aside.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Wet and Proofed Ingredients: Once the batter has bloomed, add the whisked wet ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and salt). Gradually add the dry ingredients to the batter and whisk gently until no dry bits remain. Do not overmix—the batter should be thick and slightly lumpy.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place your skillet inside and let it preheat for 5 minutes.
- Cook the Pancakes: Carefully remove the hot skillet, grease it with a bit of oil, and pour in 1¼ to 1½ cups of batter. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the pancake is puffed up and golden on top.
- Serve: Flip the pancake onto a plate, add a slice of butter, and drizzle generously with the warm honey butter maple sauce. Serve warm and enjoy!