National Pancake Day is Coming! IHOP is celebrating National Pancake Day Feb. 28 this year. The holiday celebrates the fluffy, delicious stacked cakes, often drenched in syrup and butter and piled with your favorite toppings. While they have become a staple in American households, they have a rich history stemming from ancient Greece and Rome.
Pancakes go by many different names — johnnycakes, hotcakes, griddle cakes — and they can be made with many different variations that differ across cultures. The classic breakfast dish may be the oldest breakfast food in history, dating back more than 30 thousand years to the Stone Age. Researchers even found pancakes in the stomach of Ötzi the Iceman, famous human remains that date back more than 5,000 years.
In ancient Greece and Rome, they were made with wheat flour, olive oil, honey and curdled milk. During the English Renaissance, they were flavored with spices, rosewater, sherry and apples. Now, they can be seen in different variations whether as French crepes, Swedish pannkaka, Indian poori and more!
It’s More Than “Pancake Day”
It is also IHOP’s “Month of Giving,” which will culminate in the return of National Pancake Day. Guests can dine-in at participating restaurants and enjoy a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes, and IHOP is guaranteeing a donation of 1.5 million meals to Feeding America. “$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks,” according to the Feeding America website.
While the “home of all things breakfast and everything delicious” is a great place to celebrate, there are also a number of ways to celebrate the holiday at home with the family.
Here are a few fun and simple recipes to enjoy with the kids:
Pancake Pops
Ingredients for about 20 pancake pops
- ½ cup of flour
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon of baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt
- 1 ½ cups of milk
- 2 tablespoons of melted and cooled butter
- 1 egg
- Dipping sauce
Directions
- Combine dry ingredients into a large bowl and combine.
- Add wet ingredients.
- Add milk until the batter can be stirred.
- Using either a pancake griddle or non-stick pan on the stove, drop about a tablespoon of the batter onto the hot surface.
- As the batter hardens, slide a lollipop stick into the batter about ⅔ of the way through.
- Flip the pancake once batter is hardened enough for the stick to stay. The pops will be golden brown on both sides when finished.
- Use a spatula to remove the pancake pops from the hot surface.
- Serve with your choice of dipping sauce: syrup, maple syrup, chocolate sauce, warm peanut butter or jam.
Birthday Cake Pancakes
Ingredients
Pancakes:
- 1 cup of your choice of pancake mix
- 1 cup white cake mix or Pillsbury Funfetti cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups of milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sprinkles
- 2 tablespoons of flavorless oil
- ¾ cup of homemade buttercream frosting
Icing
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- Optional: pinch of salt
Directions
- Whisk pancake and cake mix together in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl whisk together eggs, milk and vanilla until completely blended. Ensure the eggs are incorporated. Then pour wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients.
- Mix together wet and dry ingredients until combined. Do not overmix.
- Set aside the batter to sit for 10 minutes.
- Fold in the sprinkles.
- Grease a pan or pancake griddle with butter or spray and heat over medium heat.
- Once the pan is heated, scoop batter onto the pan in scoops of about 2 tablespoons.
- Flip the pancakes when bubbles appear on the surface. When pancakes are done, they’ll be light brown on both sides.
- To prepare homemade icing, whisk together sugar, milk or heavy cream and vanilla extract. Add more milk or heavy cream if the mixture needs to be thinned out.
- Drizzle on top of warm pancakes.
Pancake Art
Making pancake art is a great way to turn the classic breakfast into a fun activity for National Pancake Day. Grab your favorite pancake mix and toppings and let the decorating begin!
Ingredients
- Box of pancake mix
- Milk
- Eggs
- Toppings of your choice:
- Fruit
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate sauce
- Chocolate chips
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Follow your favorite pancake recipe.
- Once the pancakes are finished, start decorating using the toppings you have. See who can make the silliest face or the most unique design!