Tangy buttermilk pancakes deliver

A stack of fluffy, golden pancakes is the perfect starting place for a standout brunch, delivering piping hot cakes with distinct sweet tang and an open, airy texture.

Buttermilk was a must — it contributed to the pancakes’ flavour and, with some leavening help from small amounts of baking powder and baking soda, it also created pancakes with better texture — but we craved even more tang, so we whisked in some sour cream for a concentrated boost.

To keep our pancakes as light and fluffy as possible, we avoided overmixing the batter, which would overdevelop the gluten and make the pancakes tough.

After a brief rest to relax the gluten, we portioned the batter into a hot, lightly oiled skillet. To ensure all our guests would enjoy fresh, hot pancakes, we kept the cakes warm while we finished the remaining batches by transferring the pancakes to a warm oven until it was time to serve.

CLASSIC BUTTERMILK PANCAKES

Makes: 16 4-inch (10-cm) pancakes

2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose

■ flour

2 tbsp (30 mL) sugar

1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) baking soda 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) salt

2 cups (500 mL) buttermilk 1/4 cup (60 mL) sour cream 2 large eggs

3 tbsp (45 mL) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly 1-2 tsp (5-10 mL) vegetable oil

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 200 F (95 C). Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet and place in oven.

2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in large bowl.

3. In separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, sour cream, eggs and melted butter together. Make well in centre of dry ingredients and pour in wet ingredients; gently stir until just combined ( batter should be lumpy with few streaks of flour). Do not overmix. Let batter sit 10 minutes before cooking.

4. Heat 1 tsp (5 mL) oil in 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Using paper towels, carefully wipe out oil, leaving thin film on bottom and sides of pan.

5. Using 1/4 cup (60 mL) measure, portion batter into pan in 4 places. Cook until edges are set, first side is golden brown, and bubbles on surface are just beginning to break, 2 to 3 minutes. Using thin, wide spatula, flip pancakes and continue to cook until second side is golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.

6. Transfer to wire rack in oven and repeat with remaining batter, using remaining oil as necessary. Serve.

VARIATIONS:

Blueberry buttermilk pancakes:

■ Sprinkle 1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh blueberries over each pancake before flipping. (If using frozen berries, thaw and rinse berries and spread them out on paper towels to dry.)

Graham buttermilk pancakes: ■

Substitute 1 cup (250 mL) graham cracker crumbs plus 2 tbsp (30 mL) cornmeal for 1 cup (250 mL) flour.