My Dad has the hands that feed. My Mom can make a bundt cake that might make you want to slap your Grandma, but Dad has the love for cooking. You can tell whether or not someone loves cooking by observing a few simple movements: the way they look at ingredients and the way they stir a pot. My Dad will look at an unrolled pie crust like he’s looking at a newborn baby. He stirs a pot of his famous spaghetti sauce like he’s melting down gold. Not one ounce of that affection for food was lost on me growing up in his kitchen.
But there’s a problem. As much as I adore sitting down to a plate full of food, I rarely if ever finish everything on my plate. I always leave at least a bite or two untouched. Why? I have a theory. It’s solid.
My love for food is rivaled only by my father’s love for food. Let’s face it, the man can eat circles around me. Sitting to the left of my Dad at the dinner table for 18 years was a heroing (ok, I’m totally exaggerating) task. Without fail, I would get down to my last few bites of food, I might take a moment, set down my fork, relax, have a sip of juice, all perfectly normal dining practices. In those moments, my Dad would look over, with an irresistible smile on his face and say, “You need help finishing that?”
Whether of not I ever needed assistance finishing the food on my plate, I don’t remember, but my Dad always, always ate the last few bites on my plate. After a few years of this sort of training, I suppose I just started leaving food on my plate for him to finish. There were exceptions of course, anything involving french fries, ice cream or pancakes were mine all mine.
Don’t get me wrong. I certainly didn’t go hungry. I simply learned to put more on my plate than I could eat, knowing my Dad would eagerly finish my scraps.
These days, I don’t get to share a dinner table with my parents every night, but I still manage to leave a few bites on food untouched on my plate. I do love to talk my Dad into making Saturday morning pancakes. By the time I make the spontaneous call and drive the 30 minutes to their house, the pancakes are already half way to the skillet. One thing is for sure, on pancake mornings, I finish my plate all on my own, and sometime even cast a longing look at my Dad’s plate. Funny how that works.
Dad’s “Clean Your Plate” Buttermilk Pancakes
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
4 teaspoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
Whisk together milk, eggs and vegetable oil in a medium bowl, then whisk in the butter.
Stir together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in another medium bowl. Whisk in egg mixture until combined.
Spray a griddle or skillet with nonstick vegetable spray. Working in batches of 3 (or 6 if your griddle will allow) pour 1/3-cup measures of batter onto skillet and cool until bubbles have formed on the top and sides of the pancakes and broken, about 2 minutes. Flip pancakes with a spatula and cook until undersides are golden, about 1 minute more. Lower heat if pancakes brown too quickly. Serve with maple syrup or molasses.
I think it’s amazing that so many of you have fond memories of this salt shaker. I know that it’s been in our family kitchen for as long as I can remember. Funny what fond memories you share with strangers!
Michelle DuPuis
These were amazing Joy! Thank you…and your dad for sharing. ??
Maris
Very touching, Joy. How I wish my dad was still here to cook his wonderful breakfasts for us. My dad was the early riser in the family (my sister and brother take after him). So, he made our breakfasts every day before we trudged onward to school. Mom slept in. I remember him whistling as he worked, my dad was a big whistler (and even greater story teller). Such a happy guy and so glad that he had kids to cook for. I loved that man. He was a great cook. Some of his specialties: city chicken, clam bakes, fabulous french toast, cinnamon toast made in the broiler, scrambled eggs, eggs in the hole (personal favorite), spaghetti with homemade sauce (we are Italian), roast chuck roast with carrots, onions and potatoes (oh my goodness). And the list goes on…I am glad you had a great visit with your parents.
Gdjdj
We tried this recipe this morning and with only one exception of substitute wheat flour to all purpose we followed it exactly and it was awful! The pancakes were not edible, just tasted like butter and salt and completely flat and not fluffy at all!!! We did a little research and read that you should use some baking soda when baking with buttermilk other wise it won’t rise. And come to think about it, only one cup of flour and the whole stick of butter? We should have known better.
Nancy
Just made these pancakes for the very first time….delicious! I never finish pancakes, they always fill me up before I can finish what’s on my plate. These pancakes must be magic because I had no problem finishing every bit of them. Yummy!
Thanks Joy (and Joy’s Dad!) :)
Morgan
I made these today for my dad for father’s day (we celebrated a day early) and they were so good! Super good! And I loved your story about how your dad would take a couple bites from your plate. Every time my dad made me a sandwich when I was a kid (which was very often, like for school lunches), he would take a bit out of it – he said it was that he was making sure it was good. At the time, it made me feel like I had an extra special sandwich, tested by my dad for me. Now as an adult those memories mean even more to me, and make me realize how special he was for doing those little things that made me feel loved everyday. Happy Father’s Day to your dad, he sounds like he is also a great one! :)
Angela M-E
I made these for the first time today. I confess, I made two changes I added vanilla and cut the amount of butter in half. I couldn’t rationalize an equal ratio of butter to flour after an already decadent weekend. Even with the reduced butter, these were some of the best pancakes I’ve ever made and I’ll be making them again for sure.
jody s
We just made these with some added strawberry chunks and they were devoured. Yum!
Renee @ Awesome on $20
I just had to say that my dad’s pancakes are my favorite thing. I hardly ever get to see him, but every time we get together, I have to have his pancakes. It’s one of my favorite memories.
Rumi
Hi Joy.. I’m a long time reader of your blog, and first time commenter.
I just made these and they turned out AWESOME! This was my first time making pancakes from scratch, and I only reduced the butter a lil bit (ran out to be honest) and increased the buttermilk by 1/4 cup…
Also beat the egg whites separately and folded them in at the end, and they came out perfect!
Thanks so much :-)
Erin Fulks
OH MY!!!!! I was craving pancakes this morning, but sadly found no milk in the fridge… I drove to the store and was thinking, I doubt the pancakes are gonna be worth getting dressed, brushing my teeth, and driving to get milk….. Boy was I wrong. These pancakes are FANTASTIC. There is no reason to look for another recipe or tweak this. I can’t wait to make them again!
Whitney
I made this recipe yesterday. My husband mentioned for the first time that my pancakes have always been good, but not great. I’ve been making him pancakes for over three years and had no idea he though they where just ‘good’. Then I made this recipe and he, including myself cleaned our plate and wanted more even though our stomachs were plenty full. My husband said, ‘these are awesome’ with a mouth full over and over again. I should mention that I did add blueberries because it’s summer and I think blueberry pancakes should be eaten as often as possible in the summer. :) Thank you for a lovely recipe and a lovely story about your dad.
Andrea
Joy, I just made these with my soon to be 4 year old daughter – and yes we are eating them for dinner! Sooooo yummy. My daughter is on her second helping!
Kayleen
This was my third recipe of yours that I’ve tried! The first was the apple pie which was my very first homemade pie. The second was the apple crisp and third was these!! Everything has turned out yummy and my family/boyfriend has loved everything. :) The next thing I’m going to bake is your blueberry-blackberry pie for my boyfriends family!
Thank you for these awesome recipes :)
Jordana
I made these for my fam this morning and they were a massive hit! Thank you thank you thank you.
Monica Hunsberger
First, we too have the same salt shaker and what a lovely memory to see it! Second, you father’s pancakes sound buttery delicious. The dietitian in me said, “an entire stick of butter with a little oil and buttermilk too”… wow!
Aurora
Hey Joy made these this morning! And they were really good, even though I made one change( only ONE! yay:) I reduced the butter to 4TB total- 3 in the batter and 1 to cook all the pancakes in. It was a good decision- I would reduced it further to 2 TB next time. I added an extra TB of buttermilk to compensate for the loss of moisture from the butter. These pancakes were not super fluffy, but fairly thin and very buttery, which of course made them delicious. Powdered sugar was the perfect topping because of the buttery-ness of the pancakes- it provided a foil in texture. Would make these again! And it fed the 4 of us perfectly btw.
Zoe
Loved the pancakes, Joy!!! Loved your great ideas, Aurora – I made the recipe as per your changes, and added 1/4 cup bran to the pancakes, and they were scrumptious!! Perfect winter morning Saturday morning food to treat us with!! :)
ami
i wish my dad knew hot to cook, lolz
Heather
That’s beautiful about your dad. I always leave a few bites too, first my dad would finish them and now my husband. I think it’s things like this that show the beauty in our relationships far more sometimes than grand gifts, wedding vows, or cards. Thank you.
Patty
These pancakes are all the rage!!!
I have made this recipe twice now, and everybody loves them!
And, they really go well with some bacon, sausage and fresh fruit on the side!
It is important to remember the fruit since fruit cancels out all the fat grams & calories;)
Marissa
revisited this page again as I make your Dad’s Buttermilk Pancakes for the nth time. My attention was caught by your mentioning about your Dad’s famous spaghetti sauce…mind sharing the recipe? We love spaghetti…big time! Thanks!
Marilisa
HI there!!!
I just made this recipe this morning!! I love it!! Thanks so much
Chasity
These are… incredible and a new pregnancy craving for me which is kind of unfortunate because I am the only one who ever cooks so that means that I’ll be doing all pancake making! I didn’t even have to put anything on them, as far as butter or syrup. I did however put a light dusting of powdered sugar and enjoyed them right off the hot griddle… for dinner :). Thanks for my new favorite pancake recipe!
Catrina
Joy,
Amen to the recipe name! I have made them twice and every time my family has a least five in one sitting. Kiss your dad for me, these are GREAT!!!
Katya Simkhovich
OMAGOSH! Is that Trader Joes honey I see on the counter! Oh yum, pancakes and honey.
Haha, thought I would share my excitement in finding another Trader Joes shopper. Seriously I think I could live there.
The pancakes look scrumptious by the way. I think I may have to make them. Right now. I don’t care if it’s 10 pm.
Maya
Mmmmm, I just made these for my family this morning. They were a hit! I was worried I wouldn’t have enough — they were disappearing like no one’s business! Even my daughter, who hates white pancakes, really enjoyed them :) Thanks for sharing this fantastic recipe!
hayley
Im eleven years old and these were the first pancakes i made. And I have to say these are the best pancakes I’ve ever tasted. And not Just because I made them. And trust me I’ve tasted a lot of pancakes. I live for pancakes, PANCAKES ROCK, hayley
Amanda
I’m making these this weekend for my husband for our first anniversary :). He won’t let me buy him any presents, and instead he said he wants buttermilk pancakes for breakfast. I read this a few months ago and came right back to it. Thanks to you and your sweet dad for the recipe!
Stephanie
I made these today, twice (in fact, I’m taking bites between writing this). Twice because I totally effed up the first batch.. I used 4 TABLEspoons of baking powder, 4 TABLEspoons of brn sugar and 1 TABLEspoon of salt. The batter puffed up like whipped cream and tasted SO salty.
The BF says he was going to compare my notes with yours and … yep.. I wrote everything down wrong.
The second time around came out much better though ;)
Thanks for the recipe, we are making your whole wheat banana walnut pancake recipe tomorrow.. I’ll read that one slower :D
Jenny
Hi Joy,
I made these yesterday for my family, and they were so good! My grandmother was especially impressed – I don’t think she’s ever made pancakes from scratch before. She kept expressing amazement at how thick the batter was, but I wasn’t sure if that was my fault or if it was actually supposed to be thick. Either way, they tasted great!
sadie
OMG, i remember that salt shaker, tupperware right? my mom had those i think before i was born! great memories, i miss it!
nancy
we had that same shaker…the pepper one, too. my mom used to be a tupperware dealer. that, and the pickle container remind me of my childhood :-)
Sarah
Hi Joy –
I was craving some pancakes this morning and bypassed my usual “just add water” complete mix and decided to give this recipe a try. Thank you so much for sharing. I ended up adding some extra flour for little thicker consistency, but the flavor was so great and the recipe so easy! Thanks for satisfying my need for pancakes this morning.
Memoria
I just tried this for breakfast, and I wasn’t very pleased with it :(. I prefer your chocolate chip recipe with and without the chocolate chips. I think the inclusion of eggs is what threw it off for me. If any of you readers don’t want eggs in your batter, please take it out. I will stick with your choc chip pancake recipe; it is my go-to recipe.
Diane
That salt shaker just brought back a lot of memories!
Holly
Hey Joy,
I just wanted to let you know that I really am making these in the morning. I suggested to all my readers they do the same. I just wanted to say thanks again for the inspiration.
Holly
http://phemomenon.blogspot.com/2009/03/home-fries-and-weekend-breakfast.html
Erik
We just returned from a long vacation (without internet access!!) and while away, I tried these pancakes. Absolutely the best pancakes I’ve ever had (seriously, I’m not kidding here). I’ve always been a little disappointed with pancakes, whether I make them, someone else makes them, or I get them at a restaurant. They always seem to be lifeless, dull, boring, flavorless and far too often, dry. Not so with these. They were light, fluffy, moist and flavorful. I sampled one off the grill and couldn’t stop eating them right off the platter! Amazing. Thanks for the recipe. This is now my go to, default pancake recipe. I just wish I had more time to make hot breakfasts, now I’m craving them again…
aishah
hi joy…i just totally luv pancakes and would really like to try ur recipes…however are there any alternatives to buttermilk?…i’m a singaporean and its kinda difficult to find buttermilk in our local stores…hope u can help ;p
Rebecca
I really wanted pancakes this morning so I thought, “Why not try out the recipe Joy posted?” At first, I was a little disappointed and almost wanted to throw mine out when they didn’t look all that beautiful, but after trying them my mind quickly changed. These pancakes are fantastic! My dad even stole a piece from my scraps and wanted more because he loved them so much! I’m definitely going to be making these again.
Great recipe, Joy. <3
Tami
What a beautiful and heartwarming and tummy-filling story! Thanks for sharing it with all of us :)
Tami
ps I too remember that salt shaker…how funny! What a small world :)
Glenda
Finally got around to trying these pancakes today and this is now my favorite pancake recipe. I love how the exterior of the pancakes get crispy! I did have to chuckle when I saw the recipe calls for a stick of butter — made me think of Paula Deen ;-). Thank you and your dad for sharing the recipe.
Shauna
I just made these pancakes for my family, and they were a huge hit! I have received a specific request from all parties (the husband, 9yr, 4yr and 2yr olds) to make my pancakes this way for the rest of eternity – so I think we can safely say that these are the best pancakes on the planet. ;)
Thanks so much for sharing such a meaningful (and popular) recipe – please give our best to your wonderful father!
Megan
Your daddy is the greatest man ALIVE! Haha! A man who loves to cook is a great thing. He looks like a great guy too.
Danielle
Wow what a great story! And my mom had the same salt shaker when I was growing up.
Jaina
Your dad sounds really neat. I’m going to have to try his pancake recipe.
cyndi
While I love all of your posts, I think this one is my favorite. Not so much for the recipe (although you can bet I’ll secretly slip this to the pancake maker in our family – my husband) but for your humor and the outpouring of love you have for your dad. Oh yeah, and pic of the salt shaker sure didn’t hurt!
cindy
i love that my mom always cooks for me when i go home. as much as i cook and enjoy it, there is nothing like a meal made by your parents.
Eat Me Outta Here
Thank you for sharing such a special recipe. I promise to handle this recipe with care and make it with love too!
Jess
In my house, pretty much anything that my mom makes is amazing. However, in terms of breakfast, two things stick out; Christmas morning breakfast that my mom makes without fail every year and my grandpa’s fried eggs. Christmas morning breakfast is always Pillsbury cinnamon rolls (from a can!) with orange glaze. You know the ones I’m talking about! The thing is, my mom isn’t the best at baking things, she tends to forget about them and they burn (sometimes a lot, sometimes only slightly) so the bottom of the cinnamon buns are always slightly burnt. :)
But my absolute FAVORITE thing is when I go to my grandparents house, and my grandpa makes me an egg. It’s gotta be the most unhealthy way to cook an egg-fried in a TON of butter with salt and pepper; done in a cast iron grill-but it always tastes amazing. A fried egg and a slice of (white) toast is the perfect breakfast; and ONLY my grandpa can pull it off. Mom tries, but it never ever tastes the same. Maybe it’s the salt shaker? My Nanna and Arnold have the EXACT ones that your dad has Joy! That’s gotta be the secret! :)
Gina
Oooh, we had those same Tupperware salt and pepper shakers when I was growing up! Mom still has them in her cooking cabinet, I do believe. :) I love having a good recipe for buttermilk pancakes. I have buttermilk in the fridge right now and I’m thinking these would make a great dinner one night this week! Thanks to your dad for sharing his recipe with us!
Tony
great photos and amazing post!! I don’t think I’d have any trouble finishing up those pancakes either : )
Destiny
Your dad is so adorable! I love the serious look on his face in the second picture. Clearly, making the perfect pancakes require one’s full concentration. :o)
Debbi
As always Joy, my muse, you deliver! BTW..I think at one time or another it was a LAW that someone in the family had those S & P shakers….from good old Tupperware!!!!! They were maybe even a gift for having one of the parties!!! LMAO…you always make me smile, and your dad is a hunk! Lucky mom!!
Leslie
Wonderful story! Too bad my dad wouldnt finish my food on my plate! I had to sit at the table until EVERYTING was gone! Sometimes I would sit there for hours!
Candi
These pancakes look great, I’m always looking for tasty variations.
That said, my parents had the same Salt/Pepper shakers when I was growing up (with the same crude letter S and everything), and I have strong memories of them as well!
Katie
My husband just decided he was going to learn to make “real” pancakes and has now perfected them. I hope our future children have the same wonderful memories that you have of sharing that meal with your dad.
Maria
My greatest memories are with my dad in the kitchen. We had so much fun cooking and baking together when I was young. We don’t live close now, but when I go home we always go on baking marathons!
I can’t wait to try these pancakes!
Melody
Buttermilk pancakes…my favorite!
la belle vie
I wake up in the morning and check your blog before going for my run. Way to nudge in there and change my habits. I love being part of your world it looks so simple from here- wholesome food made with love. Thanks for sharing.
Abeer of baking haven
just a sec…. *skips to the kitchen and throws the betty crocker pancake mix into trash can* .. *skips back to beloved laptop to print recipe*
Lissi
This is so sweet! I love breakfast with my Daddy, too. Except I like being the one who makes it. Thank you for making me think of him tonight! (And for making me think of his sister, one of my dearest aunts, with the salt shaker photo! It sat on the back of her magic chef stove for as long as I can remember. smiling)
Jeff G.
I knew there was a reason I liked your dad.
Thanks for the birthday shout out. When can we come to your folks’ place for breakfast?
Deb
I couldn’t wait to see what the story was behind the hands and I wasn’t disappointed. Your dad looks and sounds like one great guy – how lucky you are to live close enough to get there for pancakes! I too so enjoy your blog – thank you for sharing your dad with us – and all your other great stories. You have such a talent for making us feel like we’re there with you. The picture of the salt shaker brought back memories too…I think we all had those!
Culinarywannabe
What great pictures of you dad! I swear some of the best family memories are made from those Saturday morning pancake (or in my family, waffle) making sessions.
chris
Love the story of your Father Joy, its these things that keep a family close. I live six thousand miles away from my kids (they are adults) but cooking for them is what I miss doing most of all. I know they miss it too, my daughter especially talks about it a lot. She is coming to visit us in six weeks I cant wait. Cooking for someone is a true gesture of love.
dawn
Oh I love your family pictures. How sweet. And it looks like your Dad is in good shape and doesn’t have to worry about calories.
Thanks for sharing; great pics and even better recipe.
Holly
That is awesome and just gave me the most warm fuzzy feeling. It is those kinds of memories and experiences I hope my kids have of me and their their Dad someday. I can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing (the recipe and especially the story!)
Francie
He looks like a pro. Ah, a man in the kitchen. You’re one lucky Daddy’s girl.
Ashley
I have been reading your tasty baking blog for the past few months and find myself looking forward to your next post. I always get hungry reading your blog! This story made me think of a similar tradition…
For me it was the waffle sunday tradition when my Dad would make waffles for the family and any guests that talked him into whipping up a batch. When I lived across town from my parents, I would lay in bed on a Sunday mornings and inevitably my taste-buds craved my Dad’s homemade waffles. On particular instance I called him, and begged in the sweetest way possible for him to make me some. We went back and forth a few times ending with him saying “Come by the house and maybe I’ll make you some.” That was good enough for me, I got over there faster than you can say homemade waffles! I asked about starting the batter and my Dad said that it looked like they were out of flour! I whined and complained that I drove all the way across town for nothing…and he said “Alright, alright! Go get the batter out of the fridge!” :-) Dad’s are the best aren’t they?
You see my Dad doesn’t follow a recipe and I’m convinced it is never the same unless he makes it. I think it’s because of the one extra special ingredient…LOVE!
Thanks for sharing your stories, recipes, delicious photos, and love for baking it’s inspiring!!!
Pam
Ah for me..my pops made omelettes. Every holiday my relatives would request his special omellettes and I have no idea how to make them like he did. I miss him!!
Ingrid
I loved your post. My parents amicably divorced when I was young.(they are great friends) My mom made the pancakes, Daddy made the french toast, and Dad (actually Step)made the egg sandwiches. Depending on whose house I was in on Sunday mornings, breakfast was sure to be made with love and the family around. We do weekend breakfasts at home with children,too. On Saturday mornings I make eggs, bacon, and biscuits while on Sunday mornings it’s Dad and his pancakes. Your post reminds me how important this tradtion for the kids…how wonderful a childhood memory for them.
THANKS!
~Ingrid
Theresa
The pancakes look delicious. Taste even better when made with L-O-V-E!! I remember that salt shaker!
Miri
Loved this post, Joy! Your father’s pancakes look like ones I would eat all up and then ask for more :)
Mom24
What a wonderful memory of your dad. I can’t wait to try these. I’d love the bundt bake recipes too!
Erik
Slap my grandmother? That must be some kind of cake, ’cause my grandmother was a pretty great gal. Actually, both she and my grandfather are the ones that developed my love of cooking – they both could do great things in the kitchen and always involved me growing up. Now with an 18-month old daughter, I’m eagerly awaiting the day she wants to work with me in the kitchen – for now, she’ll settle for throwing our oven mitts and dish towels all over the kitchen floor. We all would do well to remember that the little things that seem routine to us can be life changing events for those peeking up at us or sharing our table. Great post.
Jalanda
My father makes the most awesome buttermilk biscuits. I’m a daddy’s girl, too. Aren’t we blessed?
Thanks for this beautiful blog entry.
The pancakes look fabulous, too. *smile*
Lori
For many years, I had that same Tupperware salt shaker, which I got from my former mother-in-law, who’d had it for 50 years, I think. Those things are indestructible! When I saw the photo of your dad’s, I was struck in my stomach with a pang of remembering my mother-in-law filling hers. It is funny how such small objects hold so much memory. You and your dad are both very lucky people.
Rachel
I love love love your blog Joy! I’m not sure how I found it but I check it every day, it’s now my new favourite!
I’m starting a blog too but it’s still being designed. I too have an all consuming passion for baking and thanks to you, it just keeps growing :)
kristina
So beautifully written and photographed! Looking forward to trying the pancakes on our next pancake morning :) K x
Deeba
Quaint world this…love your father making those beautfiul pancakes with so much love & concentration. How sweet that you almost always leave a bit for him on your plate. What a Joy you are!!!
Bethy
My parents still use that salt shaker! It’s older than me!
Sweetcharity
I DO love the salt shaker! I wonder if my mom and dad still use theirs…
Glenda
Oh, I love pictures of a man cooking for those he loves =). Bookmarking this pancake recipe!!
PS – Your parents’ kitchen cabinets are gorgeous.
peabody
Ah, how cute! I love that you have pictures of your dad making pancakes.