Cast-Iron Sourdough Pancakes Recipe (2024)

Recipe from Jean Adamson and Angela Johnson Sherry

Adapted by Tejal Rao

Cast-Iron Sourdough Pancakes Recipe (1)

Total Time
30 minutes, plus overnight fermentation
Rating
4(1,726)
Notes
Read community notes

This recipe comes from Vinegar Hill House in Brooklyn, via Angela Johnson Sherry, who shared her family's recipe with the restaurant almost a decade ago. The restaurant sprinkles a little seasonal fruit at the bottom of the pan, then follows with a lot of airy pancake batter to make thick, crisp, golden brown pancakes that look almost like layers of cake. Use a hot oven and a pre-heated cast-iron pan, either a small one around 4 inches in diameter to make one pancake each, or a large one around 8 inches in diameter to make a couple of giant pancakes you can split at the table. —Tejal Rao

Featured in: The Secret That Brings These Pancakes to Life

Learn: How to Make Pancakes

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • ½ to 1cup sourdough starter
  • 2cups all-purpose flour
  • 2cups whole milk
  • 3eggs
  • 1teaspoon baking soda
  • 1teaspoon salt
  • 1tablespoon sugar
  • 1tablespoon butter, plus more for serving
  • 3 to 4peeled and sliced pears (you could also use sliced apples, peaches or strawberries, or whole blueberries)
  • Maple syrup, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

550 calories; 11 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 99 grams carbohydrates; 7 grams dietary fiber; 38 grams sugars; 16 grams protein; 965 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Cast-Iron Sourdough Pancakes Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Mix sourdough starter with flour and milk, then let it sit out at room temperature, covered with a cloth, overnight and up to 24 hours. Stir well, and transfer a scant cup of this mixture into a plastic container with lid or glass jar to store in the fridge, for another batch of pancakes.

  2. Whisk the eggs, baking soda, salt and sugar into the rest of the fermented flour and milk. The batter will loosen and take on the thick, airy liquid texture of a milkshake. If the batter seems a little too stiff, add a splash of milk.

  3. Step

    3

    Preheat the oven to 450, with a cast-iron skillet inside the oven. (You can use a 4-inch pan for individual pancakes or an 8-inch pan for a larger pancake, which can be cut to share.) When the pan is hot, remove it, and swirl in 1 tablespoon butter until melted, then add a thin layer of fruit, so that you can still see some parts of the bottom of the pan. If using firm fruits like apples or pears, place the pan on medium heat on the stovetop, and let the fruit sizzle for a minute or two until it has softened on its edges, then add batter. If using softer fruits or berries, add the batter right away. Add enough batter to totally cover the fruit and make a substantial pancake about a half-inch in thickness.

  4. Step

    4

    Return pan to oven for 15 minutes, or until the top of the pancake is evenly browned and the edges are crisp. Flip pancake onto a plate fruit-side up, and serve hot with another knob of butter on top and a generous glug of maple syrup. Repeat with remaining batter.

Ratings

4

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1,726

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Joyce

I already have a sourdough starter that I use regularly, so did not want leftover from this recipe. For this batter I used 1/2 cup of my starter and 1 cup each of flour and milk, other ingredients as written, 10 inch cast iron skillet. Fruit was home preserved pear slices, drained well. Needed an extra 5+ minutes in the oven. Got 2 very tasty 10 inch pancakes, topped with yogurt and a splash of pear syrup. They did not stay puffy, like the photo, but still had a nice texture.

Kathy

Where is the recipe for the sourdough starter? Did I miss it?

Mark

How much of the refreshed starter goes into the pancakes? The recipe says to use .5–1 cup of starter...would be better to be specific or provide quantity in weight.

Redbird, Yardbird

Reading the article accompanying this recipe reminded me that some time back I read about an intriguing project, devoted to preserving and distributing (for free!) a historical sourdough starter. I need to send in my SASE and get me some. http://carlsfriends.net/source.html

JA

Used 1 cup buckwheat flour and 1 cup all-purpose, sizzled butter, added a sprinkling of sugar, laid the apples and covered with sprinkling of cinnamon and let sizzle over high heat on the stove for a minute before covering with batter and baking. Came out amazing, wish I could upload the pic- it was beautiful to behold. Love the earthy flavor of buckwheat with the yeast batter.

Will test making waffles with remaining batter.

Manisha

I did not want extra starter (I have plenty!), and I also wanted only one pancake. I used half a cup of starter, half a cup of milk and half a cup of flour. Left it overnight. Quartered the other batter ingredients. I used wild blueberries that I had in my freezer. Followed the directions exactly. Came out great! Good sourdough flavor. Made a big pancake, enough in my opinion for 2!

PASallen

Maybe it's only me, but I found the instructions a bit unclear. (I understand now that I've made this recipe.) Even if you use an 8-inch pan, this recipe will make more than one pancake. Pay close attention to the instruction about adding only 1/2-inch of batter.

Neela

I made two modifications: I decreased the quantity of the flour and milk to eliminate the extra starter, and I substituted buttermilk for the milk. We made three 8-in pancakes (the third was a bit skimpy): one with frozen blueberries (tip: don't pour the batter into the center, or all the berries will be pushed to the edges), one with apple slices (apples increased the moisture and necessitated increasing the cooking time), and one plain. All delicious without being overly sweet. Recommended!

Aly

Try using a bit of cardamom in the batter and brown sugar or maple sugar instead of white sugar. I also like the tang of buttermilk instead of regular milk.

JA

waffles with this batter are fabulous.

Lauri M

This turned out very well using my own starter from "Tartine Bread" cookbook. It may be a feature on my B&B's menu. One thing I may try is a little less baking soda. What the recipe called for did a great job neutralizing the acidity of the starter and giving a good rise, but I could taste it more than I wanted to. A lovely recipe, all in all, baked this first time in a large cast iron skillet using apples and blueberries

leah

Did not need to save starter so made this with 1 c flour, 1 c milk, 1/2 c discard starter, then used 2 eggs and 2/3 other ing. Sauted asian pear in butter, added a pinch or more sugar, then batter. Made enough for 8 inch cast iron and similar sized steel saute pan. Both came out yummy, Enough for 4. Also freezes well.

Garrett

Tried this with strawberries and the consensus was meh. It certainly had a distinct flavor component from the starter. I cooked it a few minutes longer than suggested and wish I would have gone well beyond that. The texture of the middle that they acquaint to custard wasn't all that appealing. It was set but everyone ate the crisp edges and cherry picked the bites with fruit. If you're looking for a sweeter pancake you might want to bump the sugar and butter up a bit.

Kathy

Non-fat will lead to more carb ingestion. Just the thing to raise trigycerides in your blood. Have eggs and be healthy. Skip the syrup.

Marguerite

In fact, this recipe sounds quite nutritious if you do not overeat (size of portion), do not have bacon on the side and go for a walk once a day. Skim milk and no butter just leave you feeling you did not have a real satisfying meal and you will be likely to have potato chips or cookies (sweetened with stevia) for a snack!

Small, nutritious, active.

stine

I used about 1/2 cup of starter (made as when I make bread) to 1 cup of flour and 1 cup of milk. I don’t change the rest of the ingredients. I make a full batter. Consider using just 2 eggs per other commenters advice. A little cinnamon or cardamom as well.Fresh berries works best with the batter. Add two tablespoons of butter in the pan. Apples worked OK! Bananas were tasty but a bit mushy.

ET

After following the recipe exactly, my result was way off. Undercooked after 15 minutes, another 10 minutes baking produced a pancake with the bitter taste of too much baking soda. And how long will the saved cup of batter keep? I presume it should replace the original sourdough starter? More detail needed on that. Also, measurements in weights would be helpful. Most NYT recipes are excellent ,but this one not so. Maybe it could use another recipe test?

ET

Forgot to reserve half of the starter mixture and the result was still great, though it made a very thick 8" pancake that needed more time in the oven. Next time will halve the starter mixture (as others have noted in the comments) and will add some spices and/or try fruits other than pears.

Lisa

This made two very large pancakes in my 10" skillet. One I made with apples. The other, I made it savory with onions and sausage, and both turned out delicious! I wanted to make them the same day, so I didn't let the sourdough starter ferment overnight, which probably made the pancakes less puffy, but they still turned out so well.

mb

good for something different and to use up starter - not really a dutch baby, not really a pancake.i made with ~225g 100% hydration starter, 120g variety of flours, 360g milk (didnt want to save any of the ferment), and maple syrup instead of sugar.made 2 x 10” cakes.will make again

Mari

Perhaps this is my type A sliding in but I would have loved some grams measurements here. I did half cup active discard, 1 cup milk/flour and then 2 eggs, followed all other ingredients. I didn’t want to leave starter for next time hence my picks. It was too eggy for me, not custardy enough. Overall not my preferred style of pancake, but worth a shot. Perhaps I didn’t put enough batter on top? 🤷🏻‍♀️

VA

Does it have to be freshly fed sourdough starter? Would unfed starter from the fridge work?

laura

This tasted HORRIBLY of eggs!! My usual sourdough pancake recipe calls for 2 eggs for 2 cups of flour and 2 cups of buttermilk. I thought 3 eggs for a total one cup of mix was an awful lot, and I should have trusted my instincts. It was more a pear omelet, which is as bad as it sounds. It all went to the dogs (literally).

Jim Bob

Way too much trouble for pancakes...Go to the restaurant.

jenny

I’m coming around to make this a second time so it must’ve been great. I used one cup of discard and followed the directions. Best pancake of my life and then had so much better left over. I ran over to a friends house the next morning, and made one for her best pancake of her life. I stored the rest and kept it in my refrigerator and made more pancakes later. I’m coming around to make this a second time so it must’ve been great. I used one cup of discard and followed the directions. Best pancak

Cristina

I used 1 cup of starter and then followed some other recommendations that suggested butter into the batter. I added about 2 tbsp and the pancake turned out great! Very fluffy and crisp on the edges. Would definitely bake again!

mc

mine turned out quite stodgy - I think I must try again though because the flavor of the sourdough in the pancake is awesome.

Stevie’s Mom

agree with other comments about paying attention to instructions about how much batter to add. I split the batter in half with 8” skillet and it was quite thick and bready. Although very tasty, I wish I’d added less? Also I used sourdough discard vs worrying about refreshing starter and waiting 6-8 hours to mix. My discard was around 3 days old.

Bob C

For a smaller crowd, use 1/3 c flour and milk and 1/4 c starter in smaller pans. This recipe also works well for waffles.

Michelle

I used the full cup of sourdough starter and kept all ingredients the same except subbed brown for white sugar. Did not reserve any starter. Cooked in combinations of apple slices and/or pear slices, cinnamon and/or cardamom. Made 4 10” pancakes and didn’t take more than 15 minutes each. Delicious!

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Cast-Iron Sourdough Pancakes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep pancakes from sticking to cast iron? ›

How to Keep Food From Sticking to Cast Iron
  1. Two words: heat & oil. The most common reason food sticks to cast iron is because the pan is simply too hot. ...
  2. Preheat your skillet for 4 to 5 minutes to establish an even heat before adding your food. ...
  3. Add enough oil to the pan before adding food.
Jan 5, 2023

Are pancakes better on cast iron? ›

Cast iron's ability to retain heat makes it an ideal choice for pancakes. And cooking pancakes on cast iron gives them an incredible texture and golden brown color. However, it's essential to give your cast iron enough time to heat up thoroughly, so that the entire surface of the pan is evenly heated.

What should sourdough starter look like pancake batter? ›

What Should Sourdough Starter Look Like? A healthy starter should look nice and bubbly after it's been fed. It will have the consistency of thick pancake batter. It should be able to be poured out of your container, but it won't just fall out readily.

What is the secret to a fluffy pancake? ›

Whether you are making your own batter or using a pancake mix, the the secret to fluffier pancakes rests in air pockets. Yes—air pockets. Air pockets make the difference between a pancake and crepe, which means it's crucial that you get the perfect amount of bubbles in your batter to form a fluffy pancake.

What temperature do you cook cast iron pancakes? ›

Griddle Temperature For Perfect Pancakes

Set the temperature to 375 F when preheating, then turn it down to 370 or 360 F once you start to cook the pancakes. If you don't have an electric skillet or griddle, use a heavy cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat.

What is the best oil to season cast iron with? ›

What oils can I use to season cast iron? All cooking oils and fats can be used for seasoning cast iron, but based on availability, affordability, effectiveness, and having a high smoke point, Lodge recommends vegetable oil, melted shortening, or canola oil, like our Seasoning Spray.

Can I use butter on cast iron? ›

Yes, you can season the pans for frying, sautéing, or baking in cast iron cookware like pans, pots, or skillets with butter, but it's not the right choice to season it for the first time. Butter immediately starts to smoke when added to a heated pan because cast iron can withstand a lot of heat.

Why do restaurant pancakes taste better than homemade? ›

Restaurants use better quality ingredients

However, along with that ease, you may be taking a hit in the overall taste department. Restaurants tend to use real, farm-fresh eggs and real milk when making their pancakes, which as you might guess, adds to a richer, higher-quality eating experience.

Why are restaurant pancakes so much better than homemade? ›

For starters, griddles are far less constricted space-wise, allowing restaurants to cook your pancakes in a shorter period of time. Additionally, griddles ensure the cooking surface stays perfectly heated both before and after the batter hits it — resulting in an evenly-cooked, griddle-kissed final product.

What is the best pan grease for pancakes? ›

"This also allows the pancakes to get an even color and cook all the way through without burning." The key is to use an oil with a neutral flavor, like vegetable oil, and use it sparingly, so the pancakes maintain a nice texture and aren't too hard on either side.

Why are my sourdough pancakes gooey? ›

Why are my sourdough pancakes gooey? Your pan may have been too hot. If your heat is too high, the outside of your pancakes will burn before the inside can cook fully. Cook pancakes at a medium heat to make sure the interior set and cooks before the outside scorches.

Is sourdough discard good for you? ›

Technically, sourdough discard has the same benefits as sourdough starter, since they are both wild yeast ferments. In terms of beneficial lactic acid bacteria, natural yeasts acetic acid and colonies of microbes, they are both full of them.

Why are my sourdough pancakes tough? ›

Too much mixing means too much gluten activation, resulting in long stretchy chains of gluten proteins. Stretchy might be good for certain types of dough, but when it comes to pancakes, chewy and rubbery is not ideal. To prevent tough pancakes, you only want to mix the batter until it is just combined.

What is the most important ingredient in pancakes? ›

Flour is the main ingredient to any pancake. It provides the structure. Different types of flours alter the structure because some flours absorb more moisture or create more gluten (which binds the structure together) than others.

What makes fluffier pancakes milk or water? ›

Milk helps make pancakes fluffier than water. Since milk is thicker than water, it creates a thicker batter. Further, if you use whole milk or low fat milk, the fat content helps yield tender, fluffy results.

What makes restaurant pancakes taste so good? ›

Restaurants tend to use real, farm-fresh eggs and real milk when making their pancakes, which as you might guess, adds to a richer, higher-quality eating experience.

Is it better to add milk or water to pancake mix? ›

Pancake lovers' biggest complaint when adding water instead of milk is that the flavor seems to change. Pancakes aren't as richly flavored with water. There are a few ways to improve your batter when you've used water, including: Add extra butter.

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