Pancake mix? We don't need no stinking pancake mix!

I thought it'd be really cool to learn how to make pancakes from scratch. I'd be some sort of super-dad who spent the pre-dawn hours working hard in the kitchen so that my son could have tasty homemade pancakes, cooked with paternal love. It was with a mix of horror and chagrin that I discovered just how unbelievably fucking simple it is to make without the mix. In fact, I would just like to point out that every dollar you have ever spent on instant pancake mix has been completely wasted. The premixed crap is neither easier nor faster to use. It is quite likely that you have all of the ingredients already in your pantry right now. If you don't, then whatever you're lacking will be far cheaper than the next box of Bisquick, and just as easy to make.

Here's all you need;

1 cup all purpose flour

1 Tbsp baking powder* (this and the flour are probably the only things that you may not have on hand)

2 Tbsp sugar

pinch of salt

1 large egg

Milk (enough to bring the volume of egg and milk together to 1 & 1/4 cup)

1 pat of butter, melted

(*that's baking powder, not baking soda. Big difference there)

Directions; Mix it all up and there's your batter, just like the fancy stuff that comes in a box. I like to add some cinnamon and vanilla (about a teaspoon of each) into the batter. It makes for a very tasty pancake.

Just pour the batter onto the hot greased griddle and flip them when they start to bubble on top. Cook'em on the other side until done and serve 'em to your kids. Tell them you made them from scratch and they'll think you're the king of the kitchen.

Discovering just how laughably easy it is to make pancakes from scratch actually opened up my eyes to how easy cooking really is. It was the "gateway dish" if you will. I am now completely unafraid to attempt anything in the kitchen. I hope this does the same for you if you've ever been intimidated by the stove.