Pancake recipes

Just like politics and religion, everyone has their own opinion on how to make pancakes. In fact, for some the Sunday morning pancake is a religion. Many people choose their favourite pancake recipe early in life, and decide whether they'll become committed to apple or banana pancakes, sweet or savoury, thick or thin.

Some have passed secret family pancake recipes down from generation to generation, while most believe that theirs is the ultimate batter.

But it's not just the pancake mix that's important — in the famous words of Darryl Kerrigan from the movie The Castle — "It's what you do with it," that counts! So how does one make pancakes that are perfectly round and flawlessly smooth? And why is it that the first one always turns out the best?

One helpful pancake recipe tip is to keep the heat of the non-stick frying pan to a low or moderate temperature on a wider hotplate, to maintain even heat distribution. This also ensures that the sugar inside the mix doesn't burn as quickly, and makes it easier to swirl into the desired shape.

From billowing thick hotcakes to papery thin crepes, no pancake recipe is complete without the syrup. Pancake syrup and toppings are absolutely essential to any great pancake recipe and will help cover over any lumpy bits that may be left from not whisking the batter properly.

While it may take a few goes to perfect your flip technique or become accomplished at stacking and balancing, anyone can make a pancake, and it's often one of the first recipes we learn to make as children. Remember that pancakes are not only confined to breakfast, and that savoury pancakes are also a delicious and comforting meal that can be devoured at any time of day.