For different flavors, use different flours; they can be mixed and matched at will, as long as half of the flour is whole-wheat pastry flour, to keep them light.
Recipe information
Yield
4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
In a large bowl, measure and mix together: 3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour 3/4 cup mixed whole-grain flours (such as whole wheat, spelt cornmeal, rye, or buckwheat), 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon sugar (optional), 1 teaspoon salt.
Step 2
Separate: 2 eggs.
Step 3
In a large measuring cup, measure: 1 3/4 cups buttermilk.
Step 4
Whisk the egg yolks into the buttermilk. Make a well in the dry ingredients, pour in the buttermilk mixture, and stir until just mixed. Add: 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter, melted.
Step 5
Stir well. In another bowl, beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks, then fold them into the batter. If the batter is too thick, add more buttermilk.
Step 6
Spoon the batter onto a preheated griddle, cooking a single pancake first to see if the griddle is the right temperature. Cook until the undersides of the pancakes are golden brown. Turn them over and cook until done.
Variations
Step 7
For the buttermilk, substitute a mixture of yogurt and milk. Or make the pancakes with regular milk: use 1 1/2 cups milk, omit the baking soda, and use 2 teaspoons baking powder instead.
Step 8
For very tender pancakes, use 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter and 1/4 cup sour cream or crème fraîche.
Step 9
Unbleached all-purpose flour can be substituted for the whole-grain flour.
Step 10
Peel and coarsely chop 1 banana and fold into the finished batter or stir in 1 cup blueberries.
