How to Transform a Basic Pancake Recipe into Something Amazing

Making basic pancakes requires a traditional recipe. But by the time you put them in your mouth, no two pancakes are alike. Everyone adds different toppings in different amounts - butter and maple syrup being the favorites. To make about eight servings of basic pancakes, follow this recipe:

Stir these ingredients together in a large bowl:

• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 egg

Mix these ingredients together and then stir them into the liquids. Don't overmix or your pancakes will be flat:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tablespoon white sugar

Heat a lightly-oiled pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Pour about 1/4 cup batter onto pan for each pancake. Flip to cook the other side when edges are brown.

Your little monkeys will go bananas for this. Start with your basic pancakes recipe. Then add:

• 3/4 cup almond milk - you can substitute with plain milk
• 1 medium overripe banana, mashed
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

Cook them using our basic pancake recipe, then add sliced banana, chopped walnuts, and banana or maple syrup on top. Then watch out for the monkeys!

Begin by preparing our Basic Pancakes recipe. Then stir in 1/2 cup blueberries into the batter and let it sit for an hour. Cook them like basic pancakes. Top them with extra blueberries, if you have them. You can also use blueberry syrup, ice cream or whipped cream for toppings - there's no limit to your imagination.

Prepare our Basic Pancakes recipe. Add 1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips. Cook like basic pancakes, except place a pan lid over the top of them while they're cooking. This helps melt all the chocolate chips. Add extra chocolate chips for topping, if desired. Top with chocolate syrup or your choice of toppings.

It's easy to modify the Basic Pancakes recipe to create a healthier version. Many people have difficulty digesting all-purpose flour. If you're one of these people, you can substitute with gluten-free flour instead. Honey is lower on the glycemic index than white sugar. If you substitute honey for sugar in your pancake batter you can help keep your blood sugar level from spiking. Keep it healthy by going light on the butter and avoid sugary toppings.

Cream cheese sounds rich, but the lack of flour makes these cream cheese pancakes delightfully light, and they're easy to make:

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 3 ounces softened cream cheese
• pinch of salt
• butter for pan
• your choice of toppings

Mix sugar and cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Mix in vanilla, eggs and salt. Pour about 1/4 cup batter per pancake onto buttered medium-heat skillet. Cook about two minutes per side.

Add some cornmeal to your pancake mix to alter the flavor and texture. Mix up the basic pancakes recipe, but use only 1/2 cup flour. Then mix in one cup of cornmeal instead. Cook as you would basic pancakes. These corn cakes are delicious topped with warmed honey or dried apricots. This is also a good recipe for the gluten-sensitive if they substitute gluten-free flour for the all-purpose flour.

Whip up your Basic Pancakes recipe, but add only 1/2 cup milk. Add a couple of teaspoons of grated lemon zest and one cup of cottage cheese to the mixture. Cook them like your basic pancakes. Add sliced strawberries along with warm, drizzled honey to the top, and voila! Bon appetit!

Your day can't go wrong if you start it with these Peachy Pancakes. Begin with the Basic Pancakes recipe, but use only 3/4 cup flour and omit the butter. Stir in 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal as a replacement. Add one cup chopped fresh, frozen or canned peaches to the batter. Cook like your Basic Pancakes and top with sliced peaches warmed in syrup.

Although pure maple syrup is high in sugar, it's also high in nutrients and antioxidants. Because it's much better for you than processed maple syrup and has a superb flavor, it's an excellent choice of topping. However, if you want to change it up or don't have any syrup on hand, top your pancakes with one of these:

• Jam - it's best if heated with a little water in a pan.
• Yogurt and apple sauce
• Warmed honey
• Powdered sugar
• Berries