Enjoy fluffy, tender pancakes infused with fresh blueberries and bright lemon zest. This easy-to-make dish combines dry ingredients like flour and baking powder with wet ones such as buttermilk, lemon juice, and melted butter. Blueberries are gently folded into the batter, which is cooked on a griddle until golden. Served warm with a drizzle of sweet maple syrup, these pancakes make a delightful breakfast or brunch treat that balances fruity and citrus flavors with light sweetness.
One Saturday morning, I woke up craving something bright and comforting at the same time. I had a pint of blueberries sitting on the counter and half a lemon left from the night before. Within minutes, the kitchen smelled like citrus and butter, and I knew I was onto something good.
I made these for my sister once on her birthday morning, and she still asks for them every time she visits. We sat at the table with syrup dripping everywhere, laughing about nothing in particular. That was the day these pancakes became more than breakfast.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: The base that holds everything together, giving you that tender, airy texture when you dont overwork it.
- Granulated sugar: Just enough to balance the tartness of the lemon without making things too sweet.
- Baking powder and baking soda: The dream team for lift and fluff, they react with the buttermilk to create those beautiful bubbles.
- Salt: A small amount that quietly enhances every other flavor.
- Buttermilk: Adds tang and tenderness, and helps activate the leavening agents for extra height.
- Milk: Thins the batter just enough to make it pourable and soft.
- Eggs: Bind everything and give the pancakes structure and richness.
- Unsalted butter: Melted and cooled so it folds in smoothly without scrambling the eggs.
- Lemon zest: The secret star, releasing oils that perfume the whole batter.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the flavor and keeps things from feeling heavy.
- Vanilla extract: A warm background note that rounds out the citrus.
- Fresh blueberries: They stain the batter purple in the best way and turn sweet and soft as they cook.
- Maple syrup: The classic finish, pooling in every crevice and soaking into the edges.
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients:
- Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until evenly distributed. This ensures every pancake rises the same way.
- Combine the wet ingredients:
- In another bowl, whisk the buttermilk, milk, eggs, melted butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth and pale. The zest should be visible like little flecks of sunshine.
- Bring it all together:
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently with a spatula until just combined. A few lumps are your friend here, overmixing leads to tough pancakes.
- Fold in the blueberries:
- Add the berries carefully so they stay whole and distribute evenly. Some will break and thats okay, it adds color.
- Heat the skillet:
- Preheat your non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter or oil. The surface should sizzle gently when a drop of water hits it.
- Cook the first side:
- Pour about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the hot surface. Wait until bubbles form across the top and the edges look dry, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Flip and finish:
- Turn each pancake gently and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until golden and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining batter, greasing the pan as needed.
- Serve immediately:
- Stack the pancakes on plates while theyre still warm. Drizzle with maple syrup and scatter extra blueberries on top if you like.
There was one morning I made these in a cabin in the mountains, using a cast iron skillet over a gas burner. The windows were open and the air was cool, and everyone came into the kitchen drawn by the smell. We ate them standing up, straight from the pan, and nobody cared that they werent perfectly round.
Substitutions and Variations
If you dont have buttermilk, mix plain yogurt with a splash of milk until it reaches a pourable consistency. For a gluten-free version, swap in a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and the texture will stay tender. You can also try frozen blueberries in a pinch, just dont thaw them first or theyll bleed too much into the batter.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover pancakes keep well in the fridge for up to three days, stacked between sheets of parchment paper. Reheat them in a toaster or a warm oven to bring back some of that crisp edge. You can also freeze them for up to a month and pop them straight into the toaster from frozen.
Serving Suggestions
These pancakes shine with a generous pour of warm maple syrup, but you can also top them with whipped cream, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. A handful of extra fresh blueberries on top adds color and a burst of tartness with every bite.
- Add a few strips of crispy bacon on the side for a sweet and savory contrast.
- Serve with a light sparkling wine or fresh orange juice for a festive brunch feel.
- Drizzle honey infused with lemon zest over the stack for an extra layer of citrus.
These pancakes have become my go-to whenever I want to make a morning feel a little more special without much effort. I hope they bring you the same kind of quiet joy they bring me.
Your Recipe Questions
- → What makes these pancakes fluffy?
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The combination of baking powder, baking soda, and buttermilk creates bubbles that help the batter rise, producing a light and fluffy texture.
- → Can I substitute fresh blueberries?
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Yes, fresh blueberries are preferred for their bursting flavor, but frozen blueberries can be used if fresh ones are unavailable. Add them directly to the batter without thawing.
- → How is the lemon flavor incorporated?
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Lemon zest and freshly squeezed lemon juice are added to the wet ingredients, providing a bright citrus aroma and subtle tang throughout the pancakes.
- → What’s the best way to cook these pancakes?
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Use a lightly greased non-stick skillet or griddle heated to medium. Cook until bubbles form and edges set, then flip and cook until golden on both sides.
- → Are there alternatives to buttermilk?
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Yes, plain yogurt thinned with a little milk can replace buttermilk, maintaining the tang and tenderness in the pancakes.