Are hotcakes the same as pancakes?

The answer to this questions depends entirely on where you are based. In Australia and the UK, a pancake refers to a flat, thin, and round cake that is cooked in a pan and typically made from a batter of flour, eggs, milk and a leavening agent like baking powder. Unlike thicker American-style pancakes, these pancakes are more similar to crepes, with a lighter and thinner texture. In the US pancakes are traditionally thicker and the terms pancake and hotcake can be used interchangeably.

Does the temperature of ingredients matter in hotcake batter?

Absolutely! While cold eggs and milk are fine, opting for room temperature ingredients enhances the fluffiness of your hotcakes. This choice ensures that the butter remains melted, preventing it from forming clumps of fat globules. To achieve the best results, take eggs and milk out of the fridge 20 minutes before starting your batter preparations.

Do I need to allow my batter to rest?

If time allows, then yes. It results in a fluffier hotcake/pancake. After preparing your batter take a moment to relax. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and give the batter a 20-30 minute resting period. This simple practice significantly contributes to the fluffiness of the hotcakes when cooked, even when using gluten-free flour.

Why is it recommended to wait for bubbles before flipping hotcakes or pancakes?

Waiting for bubbles to appear on the surface of hotcakes or pancakes before flipping is a key step in achieving optimal results. When bubbles form and burst on the uncooked side, it indicates that the batter has set and cooked sufficiently, providing structural integrity for flipping. This ensures that the pancakes are cooked evenly on both sides, resulting in a golden-brown color and a desirable fluffy texture. Waiting for these bubbles is a visual cue that the pancakes are ready to be flipped, contributing to a consistent and delicious outcome.

Is over-mixing still a concern when making gluten-free hotcakes/pancakes.

Yes, over-mixing can be a concern even when making gluten-free hotcakes. While gluten is not present in gluten-free flour, overworking the batter can still lead to undesirable outcomes. Over-mixing may cause the batter to become dense and result in pancakes with a less-than-ideal texture. It's advisable to mix the gluten-free batter just until the ingredients are combined, similar to the approach with traditional pancake batter. This helps ensure that the gluten-free pancakes turn out light, fluffy, and with an appealing texture.

Why do my gluten-free hotcakes keep burning?

If you find yourself consistently burning hotcakes or pancakes, it's likely a heat-related issue. To address this, aim for medium heat on your pan and be prepared to make adjustments throughout the batch.