Bacon Pancakes!

Internet food porn has a lot to answer for. Sometimes I see a single image, and that’s it, I have to have a go at making it myself. That’s exactly what happened when I first saw a photo of bacon pancakes: rashers of streaky bacon embedded in thick, fluffy pancakes.

Of course, bacon with pancakes is nothing new – I’ve loved the combination of fluffy pancakes, bacon, maple syrup (and American sausages too, if available) since I was a small child, making regular visits to relatives living in Florida. But previously, I always thought of a stack of pancakes with an order of bacon on the side.

Cooking the bacon into the pancakes is, for me, all new!

A little internet research reveals that this idea was popularised in a series of adverts for American brand Aunt Jemima’s pancake batter mix back in the 1960s.

I’ve made thick pancakes before, but last time, I must have put too much baking powder in as they tasted a little odd, so I asked friends for their trusted recipes and amalgamated elements from a few of them. If you already have a trusted batter recipe for American-style pancakes or drop scones, go ahead and use that, if you prefer.

Bacon Pancakes

Ingredients

  • 6-8 rashers streaky bacon
  • 125 g plain flour
  • small pinch salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 large egg , lightly beaten
  • 75-125 ml milk (sorry, I sploshed directly from the carton, forgot to measure!)
  • vegetable oil , for frying
  • Good quality maple syrup to serve

Instructions

  • Grill or fry your bacon until it’s well cooked, with a little browning on the surfaces. Set aside.

  • In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder and sugar). Pour in the beaten egg and a little of the milk and beat together. Add more milk as necessary, to achieve a smooth, thick batter.

  • Heat a heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat until hot. Add a little oil.

  • Place a bacon strip into the pan and immediately ladle or pour some batter over the top. You can either cover the bacon completely or leave the two ends sticking out, as I chose to do. If your pan is large enough, you may be able to make two pancakes at a time.

  • After 2 to 3 minutes, when you shake the pan, the pancake should slide freely and a few bubbles will show on the top surface. Slide a large fish slice beneath the pancake and carefully flip it over

  • Cook for another minute or two, remove to a plate and repeat to make the rest.

  • Serve with generous amounts of maple syrup.

What pancakes will you be making for Shrove Tuesday this year?

Please leave a comment - I love hearing from you!
26 Comments to "Bacon Pancakes!"

  1. The Grubworm

    oooh, this looks good. I love bacon, pancakes and maple syrup… And also Aunt Jemima is my pancake staple (it's my guilty secret – Aunt J and Bisquick make better American pancakes than I can…)

    Reply
  2. Jeanne

    OMG – get behind me Satan – bacon IN pancakes?? Gotta get me some of those. OK, so they look a little erm anatomical, but then so do sausages and bananas and nobody complains ;o)

    Reply
  3. Heather @ The SW Food Blog

    I've bought buckwheat flour this year for a bit of a change. I almost always do something cheese based with plain white flour, but this year I'm going upmarket and stretching myself to poached salmon and dill! Oo er! Glad your new recipe turned out well!

    Reply
  4. procrastibaking

    As promised, a limerick to bacon pancakes.Bacon and pancake compunded?Believe me, I am most astoundedA mixture of sweet and savouryMy heart loathes this braveryProving my love of bacon is very well founded.

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    Procrastibaking’s limerick hasn’t imported nicely, in the move from blogger to the new site.
    Sharing again, with line breaks, so others can fully appreciate:

    Bacon and pancake compounded?
    Believe me, I am most astounded
    A mixture of sweet and savoury
    My heart loathes this bravery
    Proving my love of bacon is very well founded.

    Reply
  5. tori

    Gorgeous. We killed two birds with one stone (coffee and pancakes) and threw some espresso into the mix. Was pretty lovely with banana and honey.

    Reply
  6. Simon

    bacon and pancakes is one of my favourite combinations, but never thought about cooking them together, will definitely have to try this out

    Reply
  7. kaveyeats

    Seems this one has really captured the imagination on my side of the pond!

    Glad everyone likes it!

    Kay, pancakes are for any day, not just for Pancake Day, so just make them once you’re back home!

    Dom, yes indeed. And I hadn’t noticed the vaginal resemblance till you pointed it out! (And curious how you know?!) Also loved our zombie genitals conversation on twitter!

    Toby, oh yes, the slag of all pancakes? Love the suggestion of flattened hot dogs, ha, that made me giggle.

    Aaron, just been food shopping. Waitrose have Bisquick pancake mix at all their tills!

    Jeanne, Satan can wait, these pancakes are all for us! Your Mex chocolate hazelnut ones look gorgeous too!

    Mr Noodles, yes I probably dribbled in a very Homeresque way as I ate them. All of them! By myself!

    Karen, heh, YESSSSS is enough!

    London Bakes, no words but appreciate you sharing your enthusiasm!

    Ailbhe, a bacake indeed! Or pancon?

    Heather, sounds delicious!

    Elly, yeah I was thinking that, but don’t have a waffle iron. I’d probably go for small chopped pieces in the waffle batter, I think…?

    Procrastibaking, I looooove it. I am honoured!Sweet, evil genius, I like! Can’t claim the idea whatsoever but happy to bring it to some new people!

    Tori, what isn’t better with the addition of coffee and bananas?

    Simon, hope you enjoy!

    Reply
  8. Jemma

    Oh wow, those look so good! Will have to show my other half this: although he’ll just want me to make them for him *le sigh*

    Reply
  9. Su-Lin

    Oooh, if you use American bacon, will it crisp up with the pancake batter around it? Mmmmmm…..

    Great new blog look, btw!

    Reply
  10. kaveyeats

    Jemma, hope it works!

    Su-Lin, I’m not sure, I’ve been thinking that using thinner bacon would certainly give it more of a crinkle, whereas mine was thick, and remained resolutely flat… and thank you!

    Reply
  11. Karen

    Now that’s interesting to learn that the original recipe idea was an Aunt Jemima pancake recipe! I love the look of yours Kavey, so much prettier than mine, that got a wee bit blackened on my old griddle! Thanks for stopping by to see my recipe, and here’s to more bacon pancakes, I may make some more at the weekend, why not? Karen

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    Thanks Karen, I was so happy with how they came out – I think they look so cute!

    Reply

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