what do americans put on their pancakes?

[scm1001]

Being Pancake tuesday, I thought that this would be a good time to ask. Here in the UK the most common filling is lemon juice and sugar - apparently 60% are done like that. But when I went into a Pancake Parlour in LA and asked for lemon juice and sugar they looked at me as if I as crazy. Eventually they managed to gather up a little bit of lemon after a bit of effort. Is that combination not done over there?

[Fern Forest]

I prefer really good jam with lots of chunky fruit. Strawberry is good. Guava's my favorite though. It's a minority opinion though I believe.

I've never heard of lemon juice in my entire life, of course you 15 hours away, very few Brits make it this far.

[Washte]

I've never celebrated Pancake Day until I moved to the UK. Pancakes are eaten as/when one desires in the US, not just one special day.

As for what gets put on them, this varies by region, but for the most part, pancakes are eaten sweet - butter/spread and any of the following: maple syrup, corn syrup, honey, fruit flavoured syrups, or whipped cream and fruit (compote/coulis).

I'm sure there are areas in the US that eat them savoury - probably the South - with white gravy perhaps? I'm not positive on this one.

Lemon and sugar are nice, but fresh squeezed orange juice and sugar are even better.

YAY for Shrove Tuesday aka Pancake Day :D

[ShibbOleth]

So, as I understand it, you only eat pancakes in the UK once a year?

and Washte, I grew up in Atlanta and Florida, but never heard of savory pancakes there. Just syrup or fruit, like everyone else. Had some nice chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream this weekend, but I'm sure that's a modern affectation. Oh, and now I remember there being a thread a while back about making pancakes with ham or crumbled bacon in them. It was from a place in NY state, IIRC, and they said it's "just the way Cowboys eat them".

[scm1001]

no, pancakes is anytime in the UK, but they are traditional today. A bit like turkey is not just for thanksgiving or christmas

[wolfman]

Here in the UK the most common filling is lemon juice and sugar

Hmm I guess I need a little ignorance irradication here. When you say filling, do you mean that your pancakes are filled with something, or is it just another way of saying topping.

[ShibbOleth]

You should know that you are now responsible for us eating pancakes for breakfast this a.m., scm1001. With syrupy goodness. Or if you post a recipe for this lemon juice and sugar thing, maybe that way. Will lime juice work as a substitute?

[scm1001]

lime hmmm never tried it, might be worth a try. recipe well, take one hot pancake, sprinkle sugar (1-2 tspoons) evenly over. Squeeze lemon juice evenly over until sugar is damp but not flowing wet. Roll and enjoy while still warm

[Kal]

Traditional British pancakes are like crepes. We have the thicker American style ones too, but when a Briton talks about pancakes he's referring

You squirt lemon juice on it, sprinkle on some suger, then roll it up and maybe add a little more.

Here's a link with a recipe for British style pancakes:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/smil/pancakes/pancake.shtml

[Kal]

:smack:

That was meant to read:

...when a Briton talks about pancakes he's referring to something that looks like this. (http://www.deliaonline.com/picturelibrary/jpeg230/cc/cc296-basic-pancakes-2.jpg)

I've also found a load of pancake recipes here. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/apps/ifl/food/queryengine?templatestyle=text&config=db&attrib_1=ingredient_id&oper_1=eq&page=1&pagesize=15&val_1_1=12)

[ShibbOleth]

Should one then assume that you refer to powdered and not granulated sugar?

My batter is already made the American way, with the whites beaten separately from the yolks, then folded in. Makes very fluffy, light pancakes but not so good for rolling, so I'll have to try that the next time. I don't know that the thicker ones would taste good with citrus.

[Neurotik]

Yep. I've never heard of lemon and sugar on pancakes. The American tradition is generally butter with hot maple syrup. Sometimes preserves or a fruit spread is used, but I would guess just butter and maple syrup is the majority topping by far.

[Kal]

ShibbOleth: We use granulated or caster suger (which is finer).

[RealityChuck]

Maple syrup on American-style pancakes.

[Athena]

My great-grandfather, who was a lumberjack, put bacon grease and sugar on his pancakes. Guess you can do that when you work your ass off all day, everyday.

I prefer butter and maple syrup. Blueberry pancakes, please.

[II Gyan II]

And there are Indian (rice) pancakes (Dosa in the vernacular). These can be had anytime (AM, Lunch, Snack, Dinner...etc).

Read about them here (http://www.interlog.com/~john13/recipes/indian8.htm), here (http://www.bawarchi.com/contribution/dosas.html) and here (http://www.recipesource.com/ethnic/asia/indian/01/rec0172.html).

[Left Hand of Dorkness]

Southerners definitely don't eat savory pancakes unless we're in a Vietnamese or Ethiopian restaurant. Pancakes and gravy? Blech!

Butter and maple syrup is the classic. Most restaurants make their pancakes from nasty mixes, so the pancakes come out thick and pasty and terrible; the pancakes I make at home are thinner, toastier in flavor. I've got wild blueberries in the freezer that I picked over the summer, and on the rare occasions when I make pancakes, I always add a handful of those berries to the batter.

Daniel

[CalMeacham]

Most Americans, I'm sure, eat pancakes with "pancahe syrup". Pancake Syrup is generally sugar syrup (or even corn syrup) with maple flavoring and maybe a little maple syrup added. A lot of big brands -- Log Cabin, Mrs. Butterworth's -- are such pancake syrups, not maple syrup. I was startled several years ago when my girlfriend offered to " make" pancake syrup for me -- she warmed sugar syrup and added maple flavoring. It was the only time I'd ever seen it done at hme.

At the CalMeacham house we eat only pure maple syrup. It's more expensive, but worth it.

At the International House of Pancakes they used to (still do?) have a "bar" of different syrup containers at each table. There were different flavors and several different fruit toppings.


You can buy crepes in the US, of course, and many people make their own, but it seems to me that comparing crepe toppings with pancake toppings is like comparing lemons and maples -- they're two differrent things.

[TwistofFate]

tonight I shall be having Pancakes wrapped around Sausages and bacon.

then I shall go and play football for an hour to work off the damage to my heart the pancakes will do.

[Ruby]

Mr. Ruby prefers peanut butter and jelly on his american-style pancakes. I'm a syrup kind of gal.

[ShibbOleth]

Originally posted by CalMeacham
Most Americans, I'm sure, eat pancakes with "pancahe".

What an interesting misspelling. I almost thought that you were going to say that most Americans eat their pancakes with panache. But sadly not.

[Washte]

Okay, I stand corrected on savoury pancakes in the South. My apologies.

Pancakes made with bits of bacon in are tasty. Or try cooking the pancakes with a drop of bacon grease... mmmm.... the edges are nice and crispy and a slight taste of bacon. Yum.

One thing we used to do as kids was make Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes - not hard to do 3 dallops into a shape... Then when turned over use chocolate chips or bacon pieces for the eyes and a smile.

In a pinch I've used PB&J on pancakes as well.

Never used lime juice ShibbOleth, but if you prefer lime to lemon... why not.

The thing is though in order to have pancakes the UK way, they need to be thin, crepe style ones. Big thick, cakey pancakes wouldn't work at all cos you can't roll them.

UK pancakes are sprinkled with caster sugar (fine granulated) and drizzled with the juice. Very tasty.

Now I've got the hankerin' for some...

[Fugazi]

Originally posted by scm1001
A bit like turkey is not just for thanksgiving or christmas

You can eat turkey any time of the year? Who da thunk it?

:D

I don't think I've ever had turkey except at Thanksgiving or Christmas (not counting lunch meat).

[Mullinator]

I fall squarely into the maple syrup/butter combo in all instances except for one.

Based on my eating experiences in Hawaii, the combination of pineapple pancakes and powdered sugar is not to be missed.

[Indygrrl]

PANCAKE POEM

Who wants a pancake,
Sweet and piping hot?
Good little Grace looks up and says,
"I'll take the one on top."
Who else wants a pancake,
Fresh off the griddle?
Terrible Teresa smiles and says,
"I'll take the one in the middle."

~Shel Siverstien~

[Typo Negative]

There are many styles of pancakes.

Swedish pancakes are topped with jam and powdered sugar.

There are corn meal pancakes (sometimes called johnny cakes or southern pancakes) which need nothing but butter. However, some people still put syrup on them. They're better without it, though.

There are potato pancakes, which syrup would absoluely ruin. Salt, only. Perhaps ketchup.

There are german pancakes, which I have yet to order.

Then there's the traditional american pancakes, sometimes call flapjacks by disturbed individuals. Topped with syrup or fruit topping, or better yet, powdered sugar.

And of course, pigs in blankets (sausage wrapped in pancakes). Best with powdered sugar, but syrup is OK.

[SmackFu]

In our family, we do put powdered sugar on crepes, as well as jams and such. Defnitely no syrup on crepes, that would be gross.

But actual pancakes get maple syrup and real butter.

[irkenDoom]

I can only use syrup if my stomach and head have the strong constitution to do so, or if it's all we have. All that sweetness gives me a headache. PB&J is pretty good, or just jam, and I like applesauce as well.

[Ca3799]

Well, I'm in the south and I like pancakes with (white) gravy and pecans. I am the only person I know that likes them that way, though. It's no problem to order them in resteraunts at all- just ask for a bowl of gravy on the side. I just don't like sweet stuff for breakfast.

[Skelji]

I like pancakes with butter and real Maple syrup. Sometimes I'll toss Tollhouse morsels into the pancake batter (those pancakes just get butter).

[Beadalin]

There are potato pancakes, which syrup would absoluely ruin. Salt, only. Perhaps ketchup.
Salt and ketchup? My friend, how sadly misguided you are. Potato pancakes are meant to be eated with sour cream and/or applesauce.

My mom makes some wicked good pancakes with mashed banana and pecans in the batter. They're fabulous (eat them with butter only). Otherwise is butter and maple syrup for me.

Other possibilities: peanut butter and syrup (tastes like caramel-- way tasty), molassas, honey or powdered sugar with fruit.

[Wintermute]

I like to put sour cream, applesauce and brown sugar, but I'm the only one I know who does it that way. Oh, and American pancakes, please.

I don't really like pancake syrup, but will use it. I adore the berry syrups that they have at places like IHOP. As to real maple syrup, since the fake stuff was all that was around when I was kid on the west coast, it ruined me for the real stuff, which I now find watery and bland by comparison.

[cantara]

When I make the thin crepes, we'll usually have sweetened cottage cheese rolled in the middle and drizzle the outside with butter and/or Maple syrup.

Thick pancakes (http://www.fast-rewind.com/unclebuck.htm) are great with butter and real Maple syrup, or butter and homemade strawberry jam, or butter and cinnamon sugar*.

Okay, so butter is a prerequisite for pancakes of any sort...

*I couldn't believe my eyes the day I saw Cinnamon Sugar in the spices section at the grocery store. Do people not know how to make it? $2 for the bottle or $0.12 for cinnamon at the bulk food store and make it yourself...

***Wintermute - good combo, you can make a delicious fruit dip by adding brown sugar and a drop of vanilla to sour cream...I don't have a recipe since I make it by taste each time...

[irkenDoom]

I forgot to mention, the pancake syrups make me sick. Real maple syrup, on the other hand is brilliant, provided that I could actually afford it (I guess I prefer bland, then). I also like fruit syrups, if they aren't mind-numbingly sweet.

But then, sometimes, a light layer of butter is good enough for me if the texture is right (nice n' crispy on the edges).

Wintermute, your combination sounds interesting. I'll have to try that sometime.

[Intaglio]

I like Butter and Maple Syrup, when I have American Pancakes - I like Blueberry, Pecan or Chocolate Chip and Pecan. Yummy.

Have eaten and enjoy Crepes, Strawberries and Whipped Cream.

I do like Potatoe Pancakes, also.

Never heard of German Pancakes.

[dangermom]

Lemon and sugar sounds good, I'll have to try that.

I like homemade applesauce on thinner pancakes (that is, American pancakes, but the batter is thinned with more milk) with blueberries in.

[Tabithina]

Usually I top the thick pancakes with real maple syrup, but when I have the time, I like to make fried apples (http://www.nyapplecountry.com/friedapples.htm) as a topping instead. My kids love them, and it makes the kitchen smell wonderful. :)

I've never tried thin pancakes with lemon and sugar, but they sound delightful. I'll try my hand at them soon.

[pravnik]

If you ever eat them here in the U.S., though, don't ask for "pancakes"; they'll either peg you a tourist or in some places here in the South won't even know what you're talking about. The preferred term is "cow patties."

[consolid8]

Awhile back some 9-yr old on a sleepover taught my girls to put peanut butter on pancakes and now that's the only way my girls will eat them. I like butter and maple syrup (real if possible, not maple-flavored *stuff*) or home made strawberry jam.

Potato pancakes, as was said before, deserve applesauce. Even better, apple butter.

(I've had turkey on non-holidays, but I don't know if I've ever had pancakes on Thanksgiving.)

[Flutterby]

I'm in Canada but I'll check in here anyway.

When I eat pancakes I'll eat them with several different toppings. It depends on what is available really.

Generally I'll stick with regular syrup or jam/jelly. If we have it I prefer Maple or Saskatoon Syrup. Even better is having berries (saskatoons, blueberries or strawberries) by itself or with whipped cream.

The best crepes I ever had were at the MacDonald Hotel here in the city. They have a brunch every Sunday. The crepes I had there had berries (heated with liquor if you were of legal age and wanted), chocolate banana sauce, whipped topping and such. I really gotta go back sometime. It's been forever since I was there last (almost 10 years) and I still drool thinking on them. Unless they changed the buffet since then.

I probably won't be having pancakes today but I remember in elementary school we had a pancake 'breakfast' (more of a lunch) on Shrove Tuesday. It's been a long time since we did that. Thinking on it, it may have just been the school I went to as no other did that that I can recall.

[Kyla]

I've never heard of Pancake Day, and being decidedly un-Catholic (my mom was raised in a thoroughly Irish-Catholic household and had apparently had enough), I'm unclear on the concept of Shrove Tuesday, period.

Call me nuts, but I like pancakes PLAIN. That way you can eat them with your fingers! I've liked them that way since I was a little kid and didn't quite have the hang of silverware yet. I like my waffles plain, too. I'm not totally adverse to putting butter and syrup or whatever on a pancake, but if it was just me, I wouldn't bother.

[vanilla]

believe it or not, I like them plain, with nothing on them!

[Left Hand of Dorkness]

Originally posted by pravnik
If you ever eat them here in the U.S., though, don't ask for "pancakes"; they'll either peg you a tourist or in some places here in the South won't even know what you're talking about. The preferred term is "cow patties."

True enough -- unless you want buckwheat pancakes (delicious!), in which case you should ask for "a short-stack of meadow muffins."

Daniel

[Magickly Delicious]

Oh my. I've never heard of pancakes with filling. I eat the flat American pancakes, with butter and maple syrup (okay okay the cheap imitation maple syrup stuff from the grocery store) on top. I also like chocolate-chip pancakes, yummy!

Although I could be weird because I come from a region where it's common to have turkey and waffles for dinner...

[False_God]

Ham Pancakes! Cowboys love 'em! (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=95911)

And I think pancakes and all other sweet stuff at breakfast is nasty. Eggs, bacon, or (preferably) leftovers from the previous night's supper, please. I made eggplant and anchovy pizza last night, so that's what I had this morning. With iced tea.

[akennett]

Originally posted by CalMeacham
At the CalMeacham house we eat only pure maple syrup. It's more expensive, but worth it.


Amen to that. That colored sugar water is pure crap. Luckily, I have relatives up in NH who send us some real syrup every year for X-mas.

[DeadlyAccurate]

::drool::

Curse you! I'm on the Atkin's diet!

::deep breath::

I like butter, melted peanut butter and pancake syrup on mine.

[Kepi]

Originally posted by DeadlyAccurate
I like butter, melted peanut butter and pancake syrup on mine. Must be a Texas thing. This is exactly how I grew up eating pancakes. I remember once on a family vacation, I ordered pancakes at a restaurant and I was confused that they didn't come with peanut butter. I was even more confused when the waitress looked at me strangely for asking for peanut butter.

I also love mixing a dollop of peanut butter with some syrup in a bowl, then sopping it up with some hot buttered biscuits. Yummy!

[LurkMeister]

I haven't made pancakes in a while (although after reading this thread I may whip up a batch this weekend) but the last time I did I topped them with apple cinnamon syrup which I had picked up at a neighborhood AppleFest last September.

[herwono]

I like my pancakes with ice cream.

[ITR champion]

During my childhood, it was always Log Cabin Syrup, a brand of maple syrup. I do seem to recall that my brother preferred sugar and lemon juice, though. I haven't actually eaten pancakes for several years due to fat and cholesterol concerns.

[Lynne_kilii]

MMMMMMMMMMM PLAIN.








A good pancake doesn't need anything.

[jasg]

Maple syrup was a winter cash crop for my grandfather and a source of many fond memories. Guess what I use...

Once, in Kansas City, I found that I had poured sorghum syrup on my pancakes. Quite a shock.

[Will Repair]

Originally posted by Beadalin
peanut butter and syrup Only way to eat pancakes.

[techchick68]

Me, I am not thrilled with pancakes, another carb that makes me feel like I ate a sponge.

I do like crepes and I like them with fruit fillings/sauce and as cheese blintzs.

I found a yummy recipe in the book Recipes For a Small Planet for whole wheat/oatmeal pancakes that I love. I don't make them often but when I do, it's tons of butter and honey. Or just honey butter. Those I can eat without feeling weighed down.

Oh and I love Belgium Waffles. Lots of depressions to hold tons of butter.

Good thing I ate dinner or I would be drooling right now.

[techchick68]

I forgot to add:

Potato pancakes are delish. A little butter and sour cream (NOT KETCHUP that's for french fries and hash browns) and a few fresh herbs sprinkled on them. Very yummy.

[lokij]

I eat mine with butter and Steen's Cane Syrup or plain maple syrup. They must be good buttermilk pancakes though. :>

[Sn-man]

I’m not sure where our family picked up tradition, but pancakes served with beef / brown gravy were pretty normal when I grew up. Good pork gravy and sausages are great too. I usually eat my pancakes with gravy; my wife likes maple syrup. Our children like them both ways. Most people have a funny reaction when gravy is mentioned, but all I can say is try it first. I have never tried white gravy on pancakes. For me, that’s reserved for biscuits.:D

[BrotherCadfael]

In my experience, most people in the United States think they use real maple syrup, but in fact have never even been close to the real thing.

I once ran into a person from the South (for me, that is anything South of Rutland, Vermont) who insisted that no one could eat real maple syrup, that it was so sweet it could only be used by blending it with other syrups. This was one of the few times that I could insist with perfect authority that "you simply so not know what you are talking about". And to prove it, I brought him back a pint of the good stuff on my next trip home. He was gracious enough to admit he was wrong after sampling it.

Yes, it is more expensive (unless you make it yourself...we tapped a couple of hundred trees and made 40 gallons one year), but there is simply no comparison.

It's pretty good cold, but it's best to heat it just to boiling before you use it, which releases all of the flavors and aromas.

Excuse me. I think I hear some waffles calling...