Sweet Cream Pancakes

These Sweet Cream Pancakes, are sure to make every morning feel special. Serve these golden delights with your favorite toppings for a great start to your day.

Sweet Cream Pancakes

Looking for something slightly different than regular pancakes for your Saturday morning breakfast?

Try these sweet cream pancakes. Filled with pantry staples and a bit of heavy cream, they aren't quite the same as regular old pancakes, but have a hint of something extra to them.

Ideal for a lazy weekend breakfast or a special brunch.

Ingredients for Sweet Cream Pancakes

All-purpose flour: For lighter pancakes, some prefer to sift the flour before mixing.

Baking powder: Make sure it's fresh for the best rise.

Seasonings: (Salt, Granulated sugar) Salt enhances flavor, even in sweet pancakes. Sugar adds sweetness and can help with browning.

Heavy cream: Adds richness and tenderness to the pancakes.

Milk: Balances the heaviness of the cream for a perfect texture.

Eggs: Room temperature eggs mix more evenly into the batter.

Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract offers the best taste.

Butter or oil for cooking: I love using butter to add just a bit of extra flavor.

How to Make Sweet Cream Pancakes

Begin by heating a griddle or non-stick pan over medium heat to prepare for cooking.

Take a mixing bowl and combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar, whisking them together thoroughly until they're well mixed.

In a separate bowl, proceed to whisk the heavy cream, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and combined.

Then, integrate the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, gently stirring to combine them. Make sure not to avoid overmixing at this stage; a few lumps in the batter are normal.

Once your griddle or pan is heated, grease it with a small amount of butter or oil to coat the surface, making sure it's spread evenly to prevent the pancakes from sticking.

Pour the batter onto the griddle, using about ¼ cup for each pancake, and wait for bubbles to form and be mostly popped on the surface. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.

At this point, the edges of the pancakes should begin to look firm and set. With a spatula, carefully flip the pancakes over and allow them to cook on the other side for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until they are a golden brown.

After both sides are cooked and golden, transfer the pancakes from the griddle to a plate.

Continue this cooking process until all the batter has been used.

Enjoy your sweet cream pancakes!

Tips & Tricks to Make the Best Sweet Cream Pancakes

Creating the perfect Sweet Cream Pancakes isn't just about following a recipe—it's about knowing the little tricks and hacks that make them unforgettable.

Here's a list of tips to make your pancakes the star of the breakfast table, save you time, and introduce some fun variations to your recipe:

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your eggs and milk are at room temperature to create a smoother batter and more uniform pancakes.

Rest the Batter: Let the batter sit for about 5-10 minutes after mixing. This allows the flour to hydrate and the baking powder to start working, yielding fluffier pancakes.

Minimal Mixing: Mix until just combined. Overmixing will develop the gluten too much and result in tough pancakes.

Uniform Size: Use a ladle or a measuring cup to pour the batter onto the griddle for consistently sized pancakes and more consistent cooking times.

Check the Heat: The griddle or pan is at the right temperature when a drop of water dances across the surface before evaporating.

Flip Once: Wait until bubbles have formed and popped, and the edges look dry and cooked before flipping the pancakes. Flipping them more than once can deflate them.

Prep Dry Mix in Advance: Combine the dry ingredients the night before and store in an airtight container. In the morning, you only need to mix in the wet ingredients.

Practice: The first pancake is often a 'test' pancake used to adjust the heat. Don't worry if it's not perfect; use it to gauge whether to adjust the cooking temperature or time.

Batch Cooking: Use a larger griddle to cook multiple pancakes at once, reducing overall cooking time.

Keep Warm in Oven: If you're making a large batch, keep cooked pancakes warm in a 200°F (about 93°C) oven on a baking sheet covered lightly with foil.

Flavor Variations

Add Ins: Before flipping, sprinkle the wet side of the pancake with additions like chocolate chips, blueberries, banana slices, or nuts.
Sweet Cream Alternatives: Substitute part of the heavy cream with flavored creamers for a different taste.
Citrus Zest: Add lemon, lime, or orange zest to the batter for a refreshing twist.
Spices: Incorporate spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom into the dry ingredients for added warmth and complexity.

Topping Ideas

Toppings Galore: Don't limit yourself to maple syrup. Try honey, agave nectar, fruit compotes, or homemade whipped cream. One of my sons tops all his pancakes with jam instead of syrup.
Compound Butters: Mix softened butter with ingredients like cinnamon sugar, citrus zest, or maple syrup for a flavorful spread.

With these tips and tricks up your sleeve, you're well on your way to making Sweet Cream Pancakes that'll be incredibly delicious. Enjoy the process and the delicious results!

How to Store Leftovers

It's easy to store pancakes for later and sweet cream pancakes are no exception.

First, make sure the pancakes have cooled to room temperature. Otherwise, you might get condensation inside the storage container, which could make the pancakes soggy.

Once cooled, transfer the pancakes to an airtight container. You might want to place a sheet of parchment paper between each pancake to prevent sticking and to make it easier to separate them later.

If you prefer, instead of a container, you can wrap the pancakes individually or in stacks with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

For short-term storage, place them in the refrigerator where they can keep for 3-5ish days.

However, for longer preservation, freezing is the best option.

Frozen sweet cream pancakes can last for up to 3 months.

Make sure they are securely sealed in a freezer-safe bag or container.

To enjoy them again, you don't necessarily need to thaw; you can reheat pancakes directly from the freezer using a microwave, toaster, or oven until they are warm through.

What to Serve with Sweet Cream Pancakes

Mixed Berry Compote: A vibrant blend of blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries is always a delicious topping.

Whipped Cream: Light and airy whipped cream pairs perfectly with the rich sweetness of the pancakes.

Maple Syrup: Opt for genuine maple syrup for a classic, unbeatable complement to any pancake dish.

Crispy Bacon: Bacon is always a favorite side dish with pancakes.

Sliced Bananas: Top your pancakes with a some fresh, sliced bananas.

Nutella Spread: A swirl of Nutella can add a nutty and chocolatey depth that tastes especially luxurious.

Coffee or Espresso: Serve with a hot cup of coffee or an espresso to cut through the sweetness and add a warm, aromatic element to your brunch.

Toasted Nuts and Seeds: A sprinkle of toasted almonds, walnuts, or pecans gives a crunchy and nutty flavor that complements the creamy pancakes perfectly.