A Southern Grace: the fluff factor

February 7, 2011

the fluff factor

Yum

I love breakfast. Some days, it's my sole reason for rolling out of bed. I love meals as quick and simple as cereal or shmiscuits and as time-consuming (compared to cereal, anyway) as omelets or muffins.

Pre-syrup smothering.

I think my favorite breakfast of all, however, is a big ol' stack of pancakes. I enjoy many kinds of toppings and fillings--bananas, chocolate chips, blueberries, pecans, peanut butter, butter, maple syrup, and this taste of heaven have all received my official seal of approval.

My latest pancake experiment involved trying to find a way to increase what I like to call the fluff factor. See, I like my pancakes fat like an overstuffed pillow--none of those puff-free discs are welcome on my griddle. I played with a variety of things, like the amount and type of leavening agent, sugar, and fat involved.

The best I've been able to do so far makes use of an unexpected ingredient--coconut oil. At room temperature, this is a solid fat, which is a unique quality for an oil. It's also very heat stable and lasts a long time, even out of the fridge. (So ends your food science lesson for the day.) Please note that you could use any type of fat in lieu of coconut oil, but you won't get that tasty tinge of coconut.

Runaway butter!

The pancakes yielded from this carefully-honed recipe are wonderfully fluffy and flavorful, with the barest, most perfect hint of coconut imaginable. They seem to absorb the ideal amount of syrup, too. I think, for now, my quest for pancake perfection has been satisfied.

Perfectly Poofy Pancakes
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
1-1 1/2 cups milk, depending on the thickness you desire
1 tablespoon vanilla

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted fat, milk, and vanilla until combined. Whisk in your sugar and salt, then whisk in the flour and baking powder. Add more milk if necessary to form a thick yet spreadable batter. Refrigerate for 10 to 20 minutes.
Heat and lightly grease your pan or griddle with butter or oil. Pour the batter onto pan by the 1/4-cupful or, if you're like me, heaping 1/2-cupful. Flip the pancake when the edges start to dry up and bubbles form on the top. Cook for about another minute, or until nicely golden brown.

68 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Those pancakes look really fluffy! A heavenly breakfast treat.

Cheers,

Rosa

shaz said...

Ahhhh, I think coconut oil is sold as Copha here in Oz. (I think). It is a very valuable ingredient in chocolate crackles. And now I discover, also in fluffy pancakes. Well, thank you for the very interesting food science lesson Grace. Here's to fluff.

cocoa and coconut said...

I would totally smother these in maple syrup! I love your stack.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Fluffy pancakes have to be one of my favourite weekened breakfast treats!

lisa is cooking said...

These look perfectly fluffy, and I quite like the idea of a little coconut flavor in them. I think I need to go buy some coconut oil!

Anonymous said...

Such fluffy and delicious looking pancakes! The addition of coconut oil is very neat!

Gloria Baker said...

look delicious and amazing!! gloria

Antonietta said...

These do look extra fluffy. And as I looked at my sorry toast, I had major breakfast envy!

TKW said...

Your pictures are mouth-watering! A good old stack of pancakes is very comforting, don't you think?

Faith said...

I'm definitely all about the fluff factor too! Your pancakes look like perfection, Grace!

vanillasugarblog said...

No, never ever thought of using coconut oil in pancakes! Great idea. I need to try that next wknd.

José Manuel said...

Me invitas a merendar, que pasada. Saludos

Mel said...

Oooh, those do look fluffy! I'd love the hint of coconut, personally. Well done!

Barbara said...

Breakfast is my favorite meal too, Grace. And finally, at my age, I can enjoy it without worrying about kids, school, job etc.
Your pancakes are a delight..love the idea of coconut oil! Coconut milk would be good too. I replace milk with it often in recipes.

Lucie said...

Great idea! The simple thought of a stack of pancakes in the morning is making me hungry. Yours look perfectly fluffy. I almost want to rest my head on them but then my hair might be a little sticky.

Lisa said...

That is one beautiful stack of pancakes! I like the idea of using coconut oil. I used coconut milk in my last pancake experiment with interesting results but while the taste was wonderful they were not what I would call fluffy.

Anonymous said...

Haha, runaway butter...
I'm a sucker for pancakes, too. I've never heard of coconut oil before though. Note to self - must invest!

Julie M. said...

I really need to try coconut oil. I've heard so much good about it and it seems like it's everywhere these days! Your pancakes sound absolutely divine.

The Blonde Duck said...

I LOVE poofy pancakes! Could you make these whole wheat?

La Bella Cooks said...

Always a breakfast favorite around our home too. Love the butter shot!

Xiaolu said...

Oh oh yes! I definitely like my pancakes big n' fluffy too. Never thought to use coconut oil before, though I have added coconut milk to great effect. These look fat and fantastic!

oneordinaryday said...

I cannot flip a pancake to save my life. My family forbids me to even try, but my husband is the pancake king. Nothing beats a Saturday morning short stack. :)

Erica said...

Breakfast is my favorite meal!!!Those pancakes look fluffy and delicious!

Nicole Green said...

These are beautiful! As a matter of fact all of your food is so wonderfully photograped.

Velva said...

I can dig this fluff factor! Yum. I have heard a lot lately about the use of coconut oil. No doubt that it helped to bring out the silky texture of this stack of pancakes.

Thanks for the gentle reminder that simple is really best.
Velva

Julie said...

Ooh, I just happen to have some coconut oil. I think it was meant to be :)

Christi said...

i have no reason to be hungry but this photo has my stomach growling!! i am going to have to try this recipe.

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

If I have to get up early, it had better be to eat something like this. Otherwise I'm staying in bed :P

Joanne said...

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day as well. And if I could wake up to these pancakes...I'd roll out of bed in a heartbeat! Love the fluff factor.

Albany Jane said...

I fully support ANYTHING that involves slathering. Although I'm one of those heathens that indulges in Mrs. Buttersworth and not the 'real' stuff.

cooking rendez-vous said...

Great recipe, many thanks. My boys love pancakes and sometimes I'm too lazy and use pancake mix... I'll try next time the real recipe. Have you tried to add lemon zests in the pancake dough?

Leslie said...

Wait one second...where is the cinnamon???? Lol
coconut oil, very interesting.
I make mine ultra fluffy by whipping the egg white and folding them in.

pam said...

Coconut oil. In pancakes. You are a genius.

FOODESSA said...

I had finally come up with a yogurt based pancake that fuffed up great and have never looked back since. However, Grace...the addition of coconut oil is somewhat intriguing...hmm...may just have to experiment with this one.

Ciao for now,
Claudia

Juliana said...

Grace, I love fluffy pancakes, and sure yours look very fluffy and light...will try your version and refrigerate the batter :-)

marla@familyfreshcooking.com said...

Love that you went uber fluff here. My pancakes always come out more like crepes - very thin. Hmmm. I will refer back to this recipe often. The coconut oil is a charmer. xo

Anonymous said...

Oh these sound so good! I'm so with you on getting up in the morning...if it weren't for a grumbling tummy I'd opt to stay under the covers.

Lori said...

2 tablespoons of baking powder. Dang! I guess you did up the fluff. I am with you all the way. I like my pancakes seriously fluffy.

Catherine said...

Your post couldn't have had more perfect timing - I was considering making pancakes for breakfast tomorrow morning as I have a day off! My pancakes are usually paper thin, I ache for the fluffiness of the ones in your pictures! Will give these a try if I can get coconut oil :)

Half Baked said...

That's a lovely stack you've got there! Just begging to be drenched in syrup...yummm

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to pop over to say thank you for visiting my new Gluten Free site and to let you know that I've added you to it as well as my other one. I think it's important to look outside of just doing gluten free for inspirations, so I have added a a blog list for such sites and that is where you are. And you being a Southern girl too didn't hurt any either, haha...

Dee Light said...

LOVE pancakes...and I'm with you on the "Fluff Factor" pancakes should have fluff. I'll have to try this recipe. Never tried coconut oil, but I'll have to :)

Lisa-Marie said...

Want to eat. Want to eat right now.

Grace, you have, as ever, made my mouth water.

Lyndas recipe box said...

I would love a hint of coconut in my pancakes...what a marvelous idea Grace! I'm all for pancakes, but I do tend to make them more for dinner than breakfast. Yours are wonderfully fluffy!

Amanda said...

Great recipe!! I LOVE pancakes and cant wait to try these!!

Marjie said...

What's not to love about nice, fluffy pancakes? I don't even use syrup (or butter) and these look perfect.

Anonymous said...

Wow those look so pretty and lovely! I really wouldn't mind those for breakfast!

Jennifer said...

Going to try those this weekend! WE are breakfast fiends!

Deborah said...

I actually have some coconut oil in my cabinet, but I haven't used it yet. I have got to try these!!

kat said...

Ok I know what to do with that little packet of coconut oil I have now.

Pam said...

I'll be on the lookout for coconut oil now... they look fluffy and delicious!

tasteofbeirut said...

You know how long it has been? at least 15 years since I had pancakes! Your photo made me long for a plate of these fluffy beauties!

Emily said...

Yes!! I think more people should get on the coconut oil bandwagon.

These pancakes look so light and fluffy. I love the runaway butter.

Hornsfan said...

Great looking pancakes, I have still yet to dig up some coconut oil to try but really must do it, these sound delightful!

Hungry Dog said...

Those pictures had me drooling and I'm not even a coconut fan...until now. :)

Peabody said...

Fluff indeed. I think those are the fluffiest pancakes I have ever seen.

Kerstin said...

Mmm, now I'm seriously craving pancakes - fantastic idea to use coconut oil!

Love that shot with the runaway butter too :)

Lisa said...

Wow, those look sooo good! I think I will have to reserve this recipe for this coming Sunday morning, if I can wait that long. How did you know I've been thinking about pancakes for the last week?

Food Gal said...

Oooh, I'm digging the thought of a subtle coconut flavor in these super-duper fluff-o-rama pancakes. ;)

Abby said...

Coconut is a flavor that deserves more breakfast time! Those are some of the most perfect pancakes I've ever seen, lady. Nice job.

kimberleyblue said...

Wow, those do look really fluffy! I like the coconut oil - great idea.

My favourite way to enjoy pancakes is a stack of them, with some bacon slices between them, and smothered with maple syrup. Yup, great reason to get out of bed in the morning!

~~louise~~ said...

I'm pleasantly delighted to see the fluff in the pancakes and not in the Fluffernutter. I'm so craving those pancakes right now!!!

Thanks for sharing, Grace. Coconut oil? Ingenious!!!

Y said...

Talk about food porn! Those pancakes look incredibly ..fluffy! I recently started using coconut oil in a few baked items. Must try them in pancakes soon.

Nutmeg Nanny said...

Yummy! I love pancakes...and perfectly poffy pancakes are my favorite :)

foodhoe said...

I make the worst, flattest pancakes ever, so I always have to depend on professionals in order to enjoy the fluffy ones. I love fat fluffy pancakes along with the flavor of coconut, and am tempted to give these a try just to see! Grace, you are truly an inspiration...

Chef Fresco said...

Haha I love breakfast too! Even just cereal. I was just thinking today how strange it was how much I love it. Anyways, these little guys look delish!

Melanie said...

I made these and they were the best pancakes I've ever made! Maybe even the best pancakes I've ever had - perfect taste, texture, and syrup-soaking-ability!

Laura said...

Mmmm pancakes... These look great. My favorite are blueberry lemon with extra sugar and no syrup--which barely qualifies as a pancake I realize. :) My second favorite is a traditional pancake smothered in butter and brown sugar--which I guess means I don't eat much in the way of truly traditional pancakes. The only kind I like with maple syrup are sweet potato/pumpkin. I'm curious about the coconut now. My standby breakfast in Thailand was a coconut crepe/pancake with grilled pineapple inside and drizzled with a sweet coconut sauce.

Are you watching Justified I hope? :)