Dear Reader: These are extraordinary times we’re living in, and while we always have a view toward health and wellness, sometimes the concept of self-care and wellness becomes a little different. As our needs shift, self-care might look like an over-the-top blanket fort in the living room… or decadent treats that aren’t normally a part of your diet. We believe that sometimes it’s OK to forego the usual self-care routine. That’s why the Pandemic Pantry series includes some “yummy but maybe not for every day” recipes for you to try. Enjoy!

Few things are more wonderful than perfectly-cooked pancakes. Light and fluffy with just the right amount of crispness to the edges, pancakes call to mind long weekend mornings and brunches with friends that you wish would never end. This recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, which is great because the time spent perfecting your pancakes should really be on mastering the perfect flip, not rounding up a bunch of ingredients! The best pancake recipes are the simplest. This one is our favorite, for the “ease factor” as well as the hint of sweetness that really sets it apart from all the others. Stay in your jammies and let’s make a yummy breakfast in bed today. Sound good?

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2-3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Combine the milk and vinegar in a small bowl. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes to “sour”. This is an important step, so don’t skip it! Your pancakes will not taste like vinegar, promise. Would we do that to you? No friend, we wouldn’t.
2. Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl. 
3. In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk the egg, soured milk, vanilla, and melted butter together. Pour this into the dry ingredients, whisking until most of the lumps are gone, but taking care not to overbeat it.
4. You may be tempted to add some liquid because the batter will be thick, but don’t. It’s perfect, just let it sit like this for 10 minutes.
5. When that 10 minutes is up, you will notice bubbles in the batter. It’s very important that you be very gentle with the batter from here out. Don’t stir it.
6. Very gently scoop out (don’t pour) 1/2 cup of batter. Place it on a hot buttered grill or frying pan. Cook your pancake until bubbles appear on the surface, then flip to brown the other side.
7. Repeat with the remaining batter.
8. Top your pancakes with peanut butter, maple syrup, sprinkles, chocolate chips, fruit, powdered sugar, whatever sounds delightful to you!