Homemade Pancake Mix 4 College Cooking

This is my son’s third year of college, but the first time he has lived in an apartment.  Now that he has a kitchen, he is on a reduced meal plan and makes his own breakfast most days.  I know he loves omelettes and has perfected his technique in making those just the way he likes them.  But I know he also loves pancakes, and they are such a comfort food.  

I’ve always made pancakes from scratch at our house, and over the years tweaked my recipe so it includes healthy whole-grains.  I knew he wouldn’t be likely to purchase all the ingredients, so on a whim I bought a large glass container and decided to make a homemade mix based on my own recipe.  Apparently it was a good idea, as it elicited a facebook-post thank you.

This is a recipe to make before you head off to college - or one to ask your parent to mix up and send in a care package.  I used flax meal in the mix I sent Jack, but at home I alternate flax meal and oat bran.  Flax adds a nutty flavor, while the oats add a sweetness and some texture.  If you prefer not to add either, just use 4C of the two flours.  

(Courtesy of and Recipe by Guest Blogger Hallie Bandy)

Homemade Pancake Mix

Equipment:
AirTight Container
Large Mixing Bowl
Non-stick skillet

Ingredients:
1C Cornstarch
3.75 C all-purpose flour
3.75 C whole wheat flour
.5 C flax meal or oat bran
4.5 tsp salt
3 Tb + .75 tsp baking powder
4.5 tsp salt
1 Tbls sugar (I added this / optional from original recipe)

Wet Ingredients Needed:
1 Cup Buttermilk
1 Egg
2 Tbls melted butter

Instructions:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Whisk all the dry ingredients together and put into an airtight container. 

3. Make sure to label and include instructions (below) with the mix. 

4. To Make Pancakes:
---Whisk together the wet ingredients
---1 egg, 1 cup buttermilk, 2 Tbls of melted butter
---Add 1 cup of dry pancake mix

5. I think this mix will last the entire semester, but I could be wrong.

Pocket Pancakes 4 College Cooking

This week's post is a great idea in a small packet and perfect for college and off-campus living! With a little time, on a long weekend for example, you can whip up these Pocket Pancakes for carry-out on your way to classes on Monday morning!

College cooking is not always easy with late nights and busy schedules--so, a little prep work goes a long way--especially, if you have a freezer! You can take these pre-made pancakes out of the freezer and re-heat for 2 minutes in the time it takes you to brush your teeth. Ready when you walk out the door. 

This recipe is adapted from Cooking Light September magazine, which uses a novel ingredient, Peanut Butter powder, to create a peanut butter-flavored pancake--sounds perfect; except, I found the whole wheat and PB powder combo quite dry and saw-dusty in flavor as well as unrealistic for most college students!  

Unless you are using whole wheat flour regularly…money, flour and taste will go to waste for sure! Great concept nonetheless for leftover pancake batter or for the college student thinking ahead.

(Certainly try the Cooking Light version if you are looking for a somewhat healthier, fiber-laden, less sweet pancakes…it is posted at the end of this blog post!) 

Instead, I focused on revising this whole concept to a cheaper, quicker, and simpler version with Bisquick box mix--an easy option for college cooking. Plus, Bisquick mix is a great staple ingredient for the college pantry--another high-yield grocery item when cooking on a budget!

Pocket Pancakes 4 College Cooking

Equipment:

Mixing Bowl

Large Non-Stick skillet

Baking sheet

Ingredients:

2 cups Bisquick mix

1 1/3 cup milk

2 tsp of baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

2 Tbls sugar

2 Tbls vegetable oil

2 eggs

pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands and preheat oven to 350F degrees..

2. Combine the Bisquick mix, sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla and vegetable oil in a bowl with a whisk.

3. Add the milk and eggs and combine well. Batter will seem 'thin', but this is ok.

4. Heat your skillet at MEDIUM heat with 2 tsp of butter per round of making pancakes.

5. Use a 1/4 cup batter for each pancake and wait for bubbles to appear on surface.

6. Once bubbles form, add a dollop of jam, Nutella, honey, or PB to the center of 2 of the pancakes.

7. Flip the "empty" or "plain" pancake on top of the "filled" one.

8. Place pocket pancakes onto baking sheet.

9. Bake @ 350F degrees x 8-10 minutes.

10. Sprinkle with powder sugar and syrup for immediate consumption!

Pocket Pancakes

--Or, if freezing, allow to cool completely. 

--Wrap each pocket individually in Seran wrap and freeze in large freezer bag.
--When ready to eat, remove wrapping, and microwave for 2 minutes prior to eating!

Cooking Light's Multi-Grain Peanut Butter & Jam Stuffed Pancakes

3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup peanut butter powder
6 Tbls oats, could use quick-oats (exchanged 3 Tbls cornmeal for 3 Tbls oats)
2 Tbls sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 2/3 cups buttermilk
1 egg

1. Combine dry ingredients.
2. Add buttermilk and egg.
3. Follow same steps as above with batter and filling.
4. Once pancake pockets are made, bake at 350F degrees x 10 minutes.