Most pancake breakfasts in restaurants are served with a side of bacon. In some of the larger portion establishments, the pancakes come with eggs and toast as well. I don’t know about you, but once I’m being served a meal that takes up three plates, the likelihood that I will be able to finish it decreases dramatically. So let’s forget the eggs and toast and cut right to the core of the meal: the pancakes and the bacon. Grains, proteins, maple syrup – sounds balanced to me.
In the interest of convenience, I have combined the pancakes and bacon into one food item, streamlining the breakfast process.
I really love this pancake recipe. The pancakes are light and fluffy, not to mention incredibly delicious. They are easy to whip up and, best of all, are basic enough to be subject to multiple variations. I also have a chocolate chip version of this recipe, in addition to the bacon one.
The main difference between the two types is the mixing. The bacon should be mixed into the buttermilk batter and the chocolate chips should be dropped on top of the pancake while it is cooking on one side. The reason for this is that chocolate, as it melts, may leak out onto the grill, making it much more difficult to produce a clean pancake. In addition, the chocolate might burn if it is left on the heat. The worst that can happen to the bacon is that it will become more crisp – which isn’t all that bad.
Keep the vanilla in the pancakes whether you are making the bacon or the chocolate chip variety. Trust me. The ever so slight flavor in the bacon pancakes makes them much more delicious. Maple syrup is optional, as you don’t really need it for either variation.
Buttermilk Pancakes with Bacon
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
about 1/2 cup bacon, cooked until crisp and coarsely chopped
In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In a small bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, melted butter and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients into flour mixture along with the bacon and stir until combined but a little bit lumpy to avoid over mixing.
Heat a lightly greased skillet over medium-high heat. When a drop of water sizzles on the surface, drop heaping spoonfuls of batter onto the skillet, making 3-inch pancakes. Cook until golden brown on each side, flipping only once.
Serve immediately, with maple syrup, if desired.
Makes about 15 pancakes.
Serves 3-4.
CameraDawktor
March 5, 2006I am going to see if I have time to make these before church! I had promised my boy buttermilk waffles, but these are tempting me too much!! Yumm-0!
Catherine
March 5, 2006Just made the chocolate chip version for a family breakfast. They were great –so light, fluffy, and rich!
Thanks
sherijberi
March 5, 2006My family has been making these chocolate chip pancakes since before I can remember. We use a homemade recipe and my parents use Bisquick (bluch). My dad insists taht there only be enough batter to hold the chips together;)
CameraDawktor
March 5, 2006O.K.- I did it! (The chocolate chip version) And boy am I full! I asked the family if they thought I should make it again, and my five year old said that it would be good to make for Christmas! I don’t think he meant that I should wait that long, just that they’re special!! And who doesn’t like bacon and choc. chips?!
michaela!
March 5, 2006bacon pancakes eh?
Lori
March 6, 2006Nic, these are the cutest little pancakes. And I must say that those chocolate chips of yours are cute and pudgy.
Heather
March 7, 2006Could you just be my personal recipe chooser. You seem to find and make the best looking stuff there is. I love you site and the things you make.
Thank you for sharing all that you do.
FaRaH
March 9, 2006Im falling in lurve with yr blogs especially all those useful recipes. Nice Job! I will definitely try the choco chips pancakes over the weekends. Thanks, u make my husband lurve me even more hee…hee…
Gourmet Betty
August 3, 2006what a great spin on the normal breakfast foods. thanks!
Alli
October 24, 2009I’ve been trying to think of something to bake for a bake sale tomorrow, so I decided to take a look through the archives, only to find this recipe! Incidentally, I made chocolate chip bacon pancakes for my husband this morning. I had made some chocolate-bacon a few days ago (I had a bacon chocolate bar a while back, and had been craving the flavors), so I decided to chop them up and mix them in my pancake batter. Just wanted to share because I found it a pretty funny coincidence.