Fabulous Farm Pancakes: Made-From-Scratch Hotcakes

This is one of the best pancake recipes I've come across, delivering perfect results every time. I make these pancakes in one bowl and vary them by using different kinds of flour.

Whether served plain or with additional ingredients, these pancakes turn out fluffy and flavorful. Served with homemade hot syrup, they are delicious.

While you can buy pre-packed pancakes, it takes just minutes to make your own. With the added benefit that you control the ingredients.

See the recipe below and the suggestions for adding extra nutrition when making these pancakes.

Farm Pancakes

• 1 cup flour

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 2 tbsp. white sugar

• 2 tsp. baking powder

Mix dry ingredients together and add in:

• 1 egg

• 1 cup of milk (liquid can be adjusted for thinner or thicker pancakes)

• 2 tbsp. melted butter

Drop on a hot greased griddle or flat pan and turn pancakes over when air bubbles start to form.

* This recipe can be doubled or tripled for a larger batch of pancakes.

Serve pancakes with hot syrup.

• 2 cups brown sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1/4 tsp. maple flavoring

Simmer sugar and water together until lightly boiling. This helps syrup to thicken and it will thicken further as it cools. Remove from heat and add maple flavoring. Use while still warm.

Note: syrup can still be made if you don't have maple flavoring. Remove from heat and add butter for extra richness.

If you wish to make your pancakes with wholesome ingredients, this recipe can be easily adapted. Simply substitute half or all of the white flour for whole wheat flour, Kamut flour, rye flour or any flour of your choosing. If you can find organic, all the better.

Pancakes taste good, whether made with white flour or with a whole grain flour; however, whole grains offer better nutrition, so it's a good idea to try different flours.

Some cooks prefer to buy their own organic grain and grind the kernels to produce their own flour for making pancakes. Pancakes made with organic ground whole grain flours are a meal in themselves and will nourish the body for hours.

* If you use whole grains, adjust liquid amounts for desired consistency because batter will be denser.

Most children love pancakes and it's easy to sneak in extra nutrition.

• Chopped walnuts
• Ground almonds
• Oats
• Blueberries, raspberries or strawberries
• Substitute milk with almond milk, berry juice or fruit juice