Flapjacks have different meanings in different countries. In Britain, they are thick, chewy finger biscuits with fruit and nuts, while in the US, they are sweet flatbreads cooked on a griddle and served with syrup and toppings. The origins of American-style flapjacks are ancient, and they are often called pancakes or hotcakes. Basic flapjacks can be made with flour, sugar, baking powder, milk, eggs, and inclusions such as fruit or chocolate chips. They are cooked on a griddle and served with toppings.
The term “flapjack” means different things in different countries. In Britain, flapjack is a thick, chewy finger biscuit baked in a large pan, rather like brownies. The ingredients in British flapjack vary widely and often include fruit and nuts. In the United States, flapjacks are sweet flatbreads cooked on a griddle. They may also be called pancakes, hotcakes or griddlecakes and are a common feature of American cooking. The humble cookout has played a big part in the history of American breakfast foods, and most Americans are familiar with the simple yet satisfying food.
The origins of American-style flapjacks are quite ancient. Humans have been baking flatbreads for thousands of years, and the concept of sweet flatbread as a breakfast food has been around for quite some time. Typically, flapjacks include milk, eggs, flour, sugar, and a leavening agent, and are served with syrup, fresh fruit, and other toppings. Ingredients such as rolled oats can also be added for additional texture and flavor. Most of the individual names for these sweet flatbreads are regional variations and don’t really refer to totally different foods.
In general, flapjacks are larger than the more common flapjacks and are cooked from a slightly runny batter, so they end up thin, chewy, and slightly crunchy. They’re often served in stacks, with ingredients layered between individual flapjacks. When stacked, some people call the hotcakes flapjacks, and several American slang terms refer to the hotcakes, such as “selling faster than a stack of hotcakes” for a popular item. While the food is most commonly cooked on an oiled griddle, it’s also possible to cook flapjacks for a lower-fat version.
To make basic flapjacks, sift together three cups of flour, two tablespoons of sugar, four teaspoons of baking powder, and one teaspoon of salt. Make a well with the dry ingredients and add two tablespoons of melted butter, two cups of milk and two eggs. If desired, mix until combined before adding inclusions of your choice such as fresh fruit, cinnamon, applesauce, chocolate chips, or cooked oatmeal.
Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat and melt a small amount of butter on it. When the griddle is hot, use a measuring cup to ladle the batter onto the griddle. In general, a three-quarter cup measurement works very well for flapjacks. While the bottom layer of the flapjacks on the griddle is golden brown and crispy, flip them to cook on the other side. Serve hot, layered with melted butter, syrup, fruit compote, whipped cream, or other toppings.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
