Making Fluffy Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Good afternoon readers! As a lifelong chef, pancakes hold a special place in my heart - they're a breakfast classic that never gets old. But adding chocolate chips takes these cakes to a whole new level of indulgence. Today I'm excited to share my favorite recipe for moist, fluffy pancakes packed with melty chocolate goodness. 

Follow along as I take you through every step, sharing all my best tips and tricks along the way. By the end, you'll be an expert pancake flipper whipping up this crowd-pleasing treat with ease. Let's get mixing!

 Table of Contents

1. Chocolate Chip Pancake Recipe  

2. Equipment and Ingredients

3. Mixing and Batter Rest Time

4. Cooking the Pancakes  

5. Serving and Enjoying

6. FAQs

7. Conclusion

Chocolate Chip Pancake Recipe 

Makes 12-15 pancakes

Ingredients:

- 2 cups all-purpose flour 

- 3 tbsp white sugar

- 2 tsp baking powder

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 1 1/4 cups milk

- 1 egg

 

- 3 tbsp butter, melted  

- 1 tsp vanilla extract

- 1 cup chocolate chips

Prep Time: 20 mins 

Cook Time: 2-3 mins per batch

Difficulty: Easy

Nutritional Value: The combo of whole grains, protein and good fats in these pancakes fuels your morning. Indulge in chocolate without the guilt thanks to natural ingredients like milk and egg. 

 Equipment and Ingredients

- Medium mixing bowl

- Whisk or hand mixer 

- Small bowl for egg 

- Measuring cups/spoons

- Non-stick or cast iron pan  

- Spatula

- Butter or cooking spray

Be sure to use high-quality butter, milk and vanilla for supreme flavor. Choose dark,milk or white chocolate chips depending on tastes. I prefer a mix of mini and standard sizes for balanced sweetness.

 Mixing and Batter Rest Time

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Create a well in the center.

2. In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg until uniform. Add milk, melted butter and vanilla then whisk until smooth. 

3. Pour the wet ingredients into the well of the dry goods. Gently mix with a rubber spatula just until combined, do not overmix. Few small lumps are ok. 

4. Allow the batter to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. This rest time improves structure and flavor. 

The key is not to overmix the batter. A few streaks of white are perfect - it ensures the pancakes are light and fluffy versus dense and flat.

 Cooking the Pancakes

5. Heat a griddle or non-stick pan over medium heat and coat lightly with butter or cooking spray. 

6. Once hot, working in batches, scoop 1/4 cup batter and drop onto the griddle. Space them about 4 inches apart. 

7. Cook until bubbles form evenly on the surface and the bottom is golden brown, 2-3 minutes. 

8. Flip and continue cooking 1-2 more minutes until second side is golden too. 

9. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter.

Be sure not to overcrowd the pan which steams the cakes versus sears them. Low and slow heat is key for perfect texture and doneness all the way through.

 Serving and Enjoying

10. Serve pancakes hot off the griddle with desired toppings like butter, syrup, fresh fruit, whipped cream etc. I love a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce too!

11. Enjoy this warm breakfast treat as-is or let pancakes cool completely before storing in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Reheat individual cakes in the toaster or microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Can I use other kinds of chips besides chocolate?

A: Absolutely! Feel free to swap in your favorite flavor chips like butterscotch, M&M's, cinnamon, cookie dough or even fresh blueberries instead of chocolate. 

Q: Can the recipe be made gluten-free?

A: Yes! Simply substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour in a 1:1 ratio. The texture may be slightly denser but gluten-free pancakes are totally doable. 

Q: Can the batter be made ahead of time? 

A: Yes, for make-ahead convenience you can fully mix the batter and let it rest overnight in the fridge. Allow to come to room temp for 30 mins before cooking as usual. 

Q: My pancakes are coming out dense, what am I doing wrong?

A: Common causes for denseness are overmixing the batter or cooking over too high heat. Ensure brief mixing and use medium-low heat to allow bubbles to form slowly for ultimate lift. 

In closing, I hope you give these chocolate chip pancakes a try! Feel free to get creative with toppings or swapping flavors. Whether enjoyed on weekend brunches,lazy mornings or holiday meals - pancakes bring smiles. Happy cooking!