Featured Recipe
Microwave Mug Pancake Remix
By Kate
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Quick pancake fix inside a mug. Uses spelt flour replacing all-purpose for nuttier bite. Brown sugar in place of white for slight caramel notes. Melted coconut oil swaps unsalted butter adding subtle tropical flavor. Vanilla swapped out for almond extract for unexpected aroma. Mix dry, then wet. Scrape edges with rubber spatula critical to avoid raw pockets. Microwave times adjusted slightly to 1 minute 20 seconds. Look for puffed edges and doughy center blooming outwards before stopping. Serve piping hot topped with dollops of Greek yogurt and toasted pecans for crunch. Handy for single serve breakfast or snack. Small tweaks, major payoff.
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Prep:
5 min
Cook:
2 min
Total:
7 min
Serves:
1 serving
pancakes
breakfast
quick recipes
single serving
Introduction
Forget pancake griddles and rundown stacks. Here, speed and simplicity collide in a mug. Spelt flour fuels heartier chew and richer flavor than typical white flour. Brown sugar replaces plain for subtle molasses whispers. Coconut oil swaps butter not just for health motives but taste twist that works surprisingly well with almond extract—less common but more complex. Stirring well critical — dry bits stubborn in pockets if you rush. Microwave carefully—timing tentative, better to stop and check than burn. Serve with yogurt thawing balance, toasted nuts waking texture. One person, no fuss, breakfast or late night, ready like instant gratification but better. Kitchen wisdom: adjust liquid slowly; batter thickness key; heat gently but fully. Pancakes mugged up, fast, functional, flavorful.
Ingredients
About the ingredients
Using spelt flour changes hydration needs—absorbent, tends to require slight increase in wet ingredients or careful mixing to avoid dense textures. Brown sugar adds moisture compared to granulated sugar, so bake time might shift slightly. Coconut oil works better melted—solidified chunks create uneven cooking. Almond extract stronger than vanilla, so reduce quantity to avoid overpowering. In absence of whole milk, slightly thinned full-fat yogurt or oat milk can stand in—alter texture, expect slightly firmer crumb. Pinch salt essential as it balances sweetness and activates baking powder leavening. Baking powder must be fresh; if your batter fails to puff, check freshness first. A mug size less than 12 ounces risks spillover; too large and pancake flattens thin. Rubber spatula scraping avoids raw flour bits, common rookie mistake causing gritty mouthfeel.
Method
Technique Tips
Adding dry ingredients first allows better distribution of leavening and sugar, resulting in uniform rise. Thorough whisk after wet addition crucial to prevent lumps that turn chewy, unpleasant texture. Spatula scraping ensures all flour integrates—important with spelt due to finer bran particles. Microwave times approximate; power varies by unit. Visual signs best doneness markers: puffed and set edges, shiny but not wet center, slight jiggle only means not overcooked. Cooking beyond these points yields tough, dry pancake. Remove promptly from microwave; residual heat finishes cooking briefly. Topping with yogurt adds cooling contrast, nuts add needed texture—fluffy pancake alone can be monotonous. Adjust microwave power to 70-80% if browning occurs too quickly. Use tip of knife to test center doneness—should come out clean or with few moist crumbs, never raw batter.
Chef's Notes
- 💡 Use a mug that's 12 ounces or more. Smaller mugs? Spillovers are real. Overflow leads to mess. No one enjoys cleaning that.
- 💡 Mix dry ingredients well first. Helps with rise. Lumps in spelt flour? A common issue. No lumps, no grit. More uniform texture when whisked.
- 💡 Scrape the edges using a rubber spatula. Critical for avoiding bites of raw flour. Makes a difference to flavor and texture.
- 💡 Adjust milk slowly. If the batter feels thick and sticky? Too dense. A splash at a time helps achieve that right pourable texture. Essential for cooking.
- 💡 Check the batter as it cooks. Watch for puffing edges. Center should jiggle a bit. Timing varies by microwave power. Reliable indicators, not just time.
Kitchen Wisdom
What if pancakes overflow?
Difficult to manage overspill. Larger mugs help. Or, consider reducing the mixture amount.
Can I replace spelt flour?
Yes. All-purpose works too. Textures change; moisture alters slightly. Adjust liquid ingredients accordingly.
What if I overcook the pancake?
Dry, rubbery results show an overcooked pancake. Next time? Microwaving in short intervals allows better control.
How to store leftovers?
Refrigerate the mug pancake. If cooled, reheat in microwave. Also, consider freezing for future use.
