# Pancakes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 25, 2013, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209 "2013-10-25T14:24:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/1 "2013-10-25T14:24:55Z")
In another thread, someone suggested prison terms for anyone who uses or possesses certain frozen foods. The post elicited this reply: > [@Frozen “oven chips” (fries) vs frying chips. Is there really a difference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-oven-chips-fries-vs-frying-chips-is-there-really-a-difference/672191/7): > > OK, can you add appropriate sentencing for pancake batter mix (“just add milk and an egg” - yes, what we didn’t tell you is that this is a small expensive bag of flour) I like to have Trader Joe’s pancake mix in the cupboard. Just add an egg and some water. (No milk, no oil.) I’m perfectly capable of making pancakes from scratch, and do. 1 egg 3/4 cup milk 2 tbsp. melted butter 1 cup flour 1 tbsp. sugar 3 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt Mix the dry, add the wet. The SO likes TJ’s, and she likes the ones I make from scratch. I’m not a milk drinker (I see it as an ingredient, not a beverage), so for a couple of decades I had to make a point of buying it. So if I wanted pancakes, I’d buy ‘just add water’ (and an egg) mix. I knew I was buying what is basically ‘expensive flour’, but I didn’t have to have milk on-hand. Besides, TJ’s isn’t exactly expensive. But now that I live with a milk drinker, the only inconvenience is cutting the butter off of the cube and melting it. But TJ’s mix is $2 or so. Like their pizza dough ($1.29), it’s cheap enough that I’ll pay for convenience rather than make it from scratch. Incidentally, TJ’s Grade B maple syrup is $13.99 for a 750 mL bottle. A little painful, since I used to buy it a decade ago for $8.99; but cheaper than anyone else I’ve found. And ya gotta have the Grade B! ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/2 "2013-10-25T14:39:21Z")
I make pancakes from scratch usually, but I wanted to give my daughter a treat before school the other day and only had about a 10 minute window. Found some Bisquick in the fridge and had chocolate chip pancakes on the table in a flash. They were great. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/3 "2013-10-25T14:40:54Z")
Bisquick in the shaker jar. Scratch is a waste of time that could be better spent cooking bacon. But yeah, Grade B or bust. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/4 "2013-10-25T14:42:36Z")
Since you presumably have butter on hand to put on the pancakes, you could melt the 2 tablespoons, but you could also use regular cooking oil and skip that melting step. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/5 "2013-10-25T14:43:42Z")
Nothing wrong with using a mix to get some pancakes up in a hurry. But when I have the time I’ll work from scratch and not stick to basic flour mixes. When the kids were still home I’d make pancakes every Sunday morning. I’d try to get something different every week, buckwheat, corn cakes, matzo meal, rye, sour cream, just keep using different ingredients. But when there’s no time I’d rather have the premix than no pancakes at all. ETA: And silenus nailed it, the bacon is more important than the cakes, and you need the bacon grease to make the pancakes good. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/6 "2013-10-25T14:45:36Z")
If only they sold dime bags of baking powder for when I really want pancakes or waffles. I just don’t use it enough to go through a 8th of the can before it’s not viable. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/7 "2013-10-25T14:48:36Z")
I know some street corners where you can buy just that. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/8 "2013-10-25T14:52:56Z")
To me, that recipe is missing vanilla extract. And I only use less then 1 tsp of baking soda for a larger batch then that. I say baking soda because I have it in the house more reliably. ---
**Author:** ![LateComer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5ac83/32.png) [@LateComer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LateComer)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/9 "2013-10-25T14:59:12Z")
> [@Aquadementia](#): > > To me, that recipe is missing vanilla extract. > And I only use less then 1 tsp of baking soda for a larger batch then that. I say baking soda because I have it in the house more reliably. Hmm, I never considered vanilla extract in pancake batter. I’ll have to try that. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/10 "2013-10-25T15:55:06Z")
And where, pray tell, is the buttermilk? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/11 "2013-10-25T15:56:20Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > And where, pray tell, is the buttermilk? _gack_ ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/12 "2013-10-25T15:57:35Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > _gack_ Found it! ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/13 "2013-10-25T16:34:15Z")
What’s the difference between mixing it myself or buying the stuff someone else put together for me? They use a recipe, I use a recipe. They might even be the same. My flour and baking powder isn’t any better than theirs, I assume. Plus, I might be out of something. [This](http://www.snoqualmiefallsstore.com/Snoqualmie-Falls-Pancake-Waffle-Mix-3-5-lb-bags-1009b.htm) is what I use. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/14 "2013-10-25T17:24:15Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > In another thread, someone suggested prison terms for anyone who uses or possesses certain frozen foods. The post elicited this reply: > > I like to have Trader Joe’s pancake mix in the cupboard. Just add an egg and some water. (No milk, no oil.) I’m perfectly capable of making pancakes from scratch, and do. > > 1 egg > 3/4 cup milk > 2 tbsp. melted butter > 1 cup flour > 1 tbsp. sugar > 3 tsp. baking powder > 1/2 tsp. salt > > Mix the dry, add the wet. The SO likes TJ’s, and she likes the ones I make from scratch. I’m not a milk drinker (I see it as an ingredient, not a beverage), so for a couple of decades I had to make a point of buying it. So if I wanted pancakes, I’d buy ‘just add water’ (and an egg) mix. I knew I was buying what is basically ‘expensive flour’, but I didn’t have to have milk on-hand. Besides, TJ’s isn’t exactly expensive. But now that I live with a milk drinker, the only inconvenience is cutting the butter off of the cube and melting it. But TJ’s mix is $2 or so. Like their pizza dough ($1.29), it’s cheap enough that I’ll pay for convenience rather than make it from scratch. Incidentally, TJ’s Grade B maple syrup is $13.99 for a 750 mL bottle. A little painful, since I used to buy it a decade ago for $8.99; but cheaper than anyone else I’ve found. And ya gotta have the Grade B! I’m another buttermilk pancakes fan, which means you have to add a bit of baking soda to the mix. I also add vanilla and about a half teaspoon of [baking spice](http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p-penzeysbaking.html). Even better, adding blueberries to the above makes for cakes that taste like blueberry pie. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/15 "2013-10-25T17:34:47Z")
See, the problem with buttermilk is that you have to have buttermilk. They don’t sell 8 oz. cartons (here), so that’s a lot of waste. I don’t drink milk, though I don’t dislike it at all. Buttermilk is another matter entirely. Can’t stand it. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/16 "2013-10-25T17:54:16Z")
[The solution.](https://www.mysupermarket.com/landingpages/product.aspx?productid=4785&skipregister=true&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Search_US&utm_campaign=Google&utm_content=CPC48303&banner=248303) ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/17 "2013-10-25T17:55:24Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > See, the problem with buttermilk is that you have to have buttermilk. They don’t sell 8 oz. cartons (here), so that’s a lot of waste. I don’t drink milk, though I don’t dislike it at all. Buttermilk is another matter entirely. Can’t stand it. Buttermilk more or less stays good nigh-on forever, though. Also, you can make up some ersatz buttermilk by adding a bit of vinegar to normal milk–[this site](http://frugalliving.about.com/od/condimentsandspices/r/Buttermilk_Sub.htm) says a tsp to a cup. I’ve never done the Pepsi challenge and tried the real thing and this side by side, but dad would make pancakes from time to time w/ this instead of buttermilk and I don’t think I ever noticed a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/18 "2013-10-25T18:00:37Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > Buttermilk more or less stays good nigh-on forever, though. Is that because the flavour doesn’t change when it goes off? ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/19 "2013-10-25T18:33:01Z")
For cornbread, waffles , biscuits and pancakes, I always keep a quart of buttermilk in the fridge. I’ve don’t think I’ve ever had one go bad. It’s still a great ingredient, even if you don’t want to drink it. I don’t eat sour cream straight with a spoon, either. Aquadimentia, baking soa and baking powder aren’t interchangeable. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Is that because the flavour doesn’t change when it goes off? No, I imagine it’s because buttermilk is a little on the acidic side, but I’m not sure. And it does go bad after a month or two. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209/20 "2013-10-25T19:32:38Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > Buttermilk more or less stays good nigh-on forever, though. Also, you can make up some ersatz buttermilk by adding a bit of vinegar to normal milk–[this site](http://frugalliving.about.com/od/condimentsandspices/r/Buttermilk_Sub.htm) says a tsp to a cup. I’ve never done the Pepsi challenge and tried the real thing and this side by side, but dad would make pancakes from time to time w/ this instead of buttermilk and I don’t think I ever noticed a difference. I buy the full monty: so-called Bulgarian buttermilk instead of that low fat crap. I can usually find it on sale at one of the local stores, and it really does keep for months. I also use self-rising [White Lily](http://www.whitelily.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?categoryId=305&prodID=788) flour for both pancakes and biscuits. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancakes/672209.md?page=2)