Easy Basic Pancakes

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, or vegetable oil

1 large egg

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Assorted toppings, such as butter, maple syrup, confectioners' sugar, honey, jams, preserves, sweetened whipped cream, or chocolate syrup

Directions

Steps to Make It

Gather ingredients and preheat oven: Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Have a baking sheet or heatproof platter ready to keep cooked pancakes warm in the oven.

Mix dry ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

Mix wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, butter (or oil), and egg.

Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add dry ingredients to milk mixture; whisk until just moistened. (Do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine.)

Heat and oil skillet or griddle: Heat a large skillet (nonstick or cast-iron) or griddle over medium. Fold a sheet of paper towel in half, and moisten with oil; carefully rub skillet with oiled paper towel.

Spoon batter onto skillet or griddle: For each pancake, spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of batter onto skillet, using the back of the spoon to spread batter into a round (you should be able to fit 2 to 3 in a large skillet).

Cook first side: Cook until surface of pancakes have some bubbles and a few have burst, 1 to 2 minutes.

Flip pancakes:

Serve immediately, or keep warm in oven: Transfer to a baking sheet or platter; cover loosely with aluminum foil, and keep warm in oven. Continue with more oil and remaining batter. (You'll have 12 to 15 pancakes.) Serve warm, with desired toppings.