Oookie, where the hell'd I go wrong this time?

[kristenk]

Oh, Kristen, 2004. If only. This one began with a 19. Back to my hole ...

Oh, dear. I can't compete with that one.

I think it's safe to say that the hot water test might not be the most accurate after all.

[caleymama]

Not sure if this helps, but I've read that mixing pancake batter too much makes it dense. So you're supposed to mix it until it is just wet.

Yes - this is very important! Just mix until moistened or blended.

Just made this recipe today for the first time after hearing SIL rave and rave about it:
http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/01/ed...ream-pancakes/
SIL makes it with yogurt - I happened to have sour cream so I used it. SIL uses vanilla yogurt and omits the vanilla. The recipe was SO easy and the pancakes were super moist and fluffy.

ETA: Yeah, we can't keep boxed or single bagged grains in our pantry closet either. Everything has to be in a jar or double bagged. Much of it is in the fridge or freezer, though. Learned that the hard way!

[mctlaw]

Well, my baking powder is ... really old, I admit. Maybe it's time to buy new baking powder.

I'm afraid of mixes. I had some good old Bisquick years ago, and while it was relatively older, like six or seven months, it had never once been opened. I went to use it for the first time, and there were bugs crawling around INSIDE the unopened bag. I was like how'd they get in there?! I literaly threw away every single non-canned item in my pantry and cleaned it all top to bottom and replaced everything. I later learned that this is not uncommon and that it really does happen and it wasn't me. However, that did not make me feel better. And now I check every flour-like substance before I use it, from flour to baking soda, you name it. I won't use it if I can't see into it and check it for critters. And I just can't use a mix.

OK, to further add to your list of ickie-skeevies, I once encountered a bunch of moth-like flying creatures when opening a new box of instant oatmeal packets. I know what you mean becuase it turned me permanently to buying whole, bulk oats.

BTW, is there a smilie for being skeeved out? 'Cause I looked for it and couldn't find it!

[bubbaray]

If you follow this recipe (I swap whole wheat flour 1:1 for the white flour in the recipe), trust me, it is foolproof. You have to shake the pan a bit when you put the batter in to cook (its quite thick), but other than that, foolproof.

[bubbaray]

Oh, and I replace my baking powder and baking soda at least yearly, usually ever 6m, regardless of if it is finished or not (I don't toss the baking soda, I just use it for cleaning). I can't remember how to do it, but you can add stuff to them to see if they are still "good".

[alien_host]

Ok, i'm trying to ignore the "bug talk", ick.

Here's a pancake recipe that has never failed me and my baking powder has been fairly old, not from the 1900's old , but at least 1-2 years.

2 cups flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3 tbs sugar (optional, I omit most of it, I just toss in maybe a tsp)
3 eggs beaten
1/3 cup oil (I use canola)
2 cups milk

Sift together dry ingredients, mix eggs, oil and milk and stir in until just blended.

I usually cut the recipe in 1/3 or 2/3 (b/c of # of eggs) because it is quite a lot of pancake batter.

I've also used the following egg substitute and it still comes out fluffy:

1.5 TBS oil
1.5 TBS water
1 tsp baking powder

for EACH egg...

[Fairy]

Awesome recipes, thank you!