Mom’s Old Fashioned Pancakes

These golden, fluffy Old Fashioned Pancakes are full of nostalgic flavor. Make a batch for a classic, comforting breakfast that’s perfect for a lazy Sunday morning.

This buttermilk pancake recipe is my mom’s and it goes WAY back. Just like my Homemade Waffles, her Old Fashioned Pancakes made from scratch are a true classic that will always be one of the most delicious ways to start the day.

As we approach Mother’s Day and so many great memories come rushing back, I thought it was fitting to refresh this post.

When I was very young, it was a common occurrence to have crowds of people in our house for Mom’s pancake breakfasts. My big family alone was enough to fill our house but add in all the spouses of my older sibs, the grandkids, and a few friends and neighbors, and it was a party. There were countless pancakes coming out of that kitchen!

I’ve scaled down Mom’s recipe to work for a small family, or even a couple (with leftovers). But, it can easily be scaled up if you have a pancake party in your future.

Ingredient Notes

• Dry ingredients – All-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
• Wet ingredients – Buttermilk, a large egg, and melted butter that has slightly cooled. Although not in Mom’s vintage recipe, you can also add a little pure vanilla extract to warm up the flavor a bit, if you’d like.
• For cooking – Nonstick cooking spray.
• For serving – Butter pats, fresh berries, and maple syrup.

The home cooks from my mom’s era used bacon fat to cook their pancakes. There was no waste in the kitchen in those days and bacon fat was saved and reused before it was tossed out. I opt to cook my pancakes on a griddle coated with nonstick cooking spray. You can use a little vegetable oil instead, if you’d like.

How to Make Pancakes From Scratch

This is a quick overview of how to make this recipe. You’ll find detailed instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Make the Pancake Batter

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
2. Add the buttermilk and whisk, just until the dry ingredients are moistened.
3. Next, add the egg, vanilla (if using), and melted butter.
4. Whisk again just until the ingredients are combined. The batter will be bit lumpy. Let the batter rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Cook the Pancakes

1. Coat a nonstick electric griddle or a large pan with nonstick cooking spray (or vegetable oil). Use a measuring cup to pour pancake batter on to the hot griddle (or pan).
2. Repeat, leaving some space between the pancakes. Cook for about 2 minutes or until lightly browned on the bottom.
3. When you see bubbles begin to form on the surface, lift up the edge of the pancake with your spatula to see the bottom. When it is nicely browned, flip the pancakes over and cook for another minute or two. Transfer the first batch to a platter and cook the remaining pancakes.

Pancake Storage Tips

Refrigerator – Transfer leftover pancakes to a zippered plastic storage bag or other airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave in 10 second increments until warmed through. For a larger amount, place them in a baking dish, cover with foil and bake in a 350 degree F oven for 5 to 10 minutes.

Flash Freezing Pancakes  – Lay the pancakes in one layer on a baking sheet and place it in the freezer for at least an hour, or until frozen solid. Once frozen, they can be transferred to a freezer-safe plastic storage bag. Label the bag with the date and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat frozen pancakes in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds, per pancake, or until warmed through.

More Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love

• Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
• Buttermilk Cornbread Waffles
• Brioche French Toast
• Homemade English Muffins

For a glimpse into our life when this post was first published, scroll past the recipe card.

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This post was originally published August 5, 2012. It has been updated with new text and images.

A quick look back at August of 2012.

It’s been an eventful week. There was the trip to Seattle, then returning home to the piles of work that had accumulated in my absence, then this happened.

Somehow, inexplicably, it was time for Boy #4 to have his graduation photo taken. It was the first time for him, the last for me. I blinked and it has become the summer before his senior year of high school. I’ve sat through these photo sessions three times previously with his older brothers. Each time it was touching, this time was different.

The photographer’s assistant must have noticed my weak emotional state so he allowed me to come into the studio and stand quietly in the back. I was instructed not to “bug the photographer” and I heeded this warning, only interrupting once to tell him to straighten his bow tie.

It felt like it was over in 30 seconds, and as he walked towards me in the tux jacket and his basketball shorts, I felt it coming. The eyes filling with tears, the throat closing up, and he saw it too. I made a quick exit as he made his way to the changing rooms so I wouldn’t melt into an embarrassing, weeping, mess in front of everyone. I managed to pull myself together but it was a close call. I imagine that over the course of the next year, I will be experiencing many of these close calls. Firsts for him, and lasts for me. My baby, is going to graduate.

Updated to add in May 2023 – Our “baby” will be graduating from law school next month. One more graduation, and mama is packing the Kleenex!