Learn How To Make Homemade Flour Pancakes The Easy Way

Even if you can think that butter gives a fatty consistency to flour pancakes, if you elaborate them with oil, the result will not be the same.

In this article, we are going to teach you how to make delicious flour pancakes in a very easy way.

Flour cakes are eaten in many Latin American countries and the United States. Their flattened shape is prepared without yeast, which is also very reminiscent of cakes from India or Africa.

In most Latin American countries, especially in Central America, the flour pancake is used to prepare many traditional dishes. In Mexico, the flour pancake is very common, while in the center and south it is more common to find the corn pancake.

Before moving on to the recipe, we will do a little historical reminder to discover the origin of flour cakes. 

History and origin of flour cakes

The origin of the flour cake dates back to the 16th century during the Spanish conquest. It was the conquerors who brought the wheat into these countries. According to history, in 1542, the Spaniards not finding the necessary ingredients to prepare bread, had to change the recipe, which resulted in the origin of flour cakes.

The Spanish began to prepare what is called Zaruki, a mixture of broken wheat and water. This mixture will later give birth to the flour pancake that we know today.

Thanks to the ease with which these flour cakes were prepared, they were part of the food of the Spaniards who explored California in 1769.

A few years later, a typical Mexican dish was born,  made from flour cakes filled with meat: burritos. In the United States, the flour patty is best known for being the main component of the traditional burrito, which sells a lot in this country.

Now find out what the nutritional value of flour cakes is.

Nutritional value of flour pancakes

As for the ingredients used to prepare the flour pancake recipe, we will classify them in the category of cereals. One serving of flour pancake contains an energy value of about 467 calories.

For practical reasons, a serving of flour pancake is on average 200 g.

467 calories may sound like a lot, but in reality, of all the grains, it is the lowest calorie intake. For example, rice crackers provide 387 calories per 100g. Corn cakes provide 237 calories per 100g, which is considered low.

Although the flour pancake is usually made with lard, it does not significantly contribute to a high energy content. More specifically, the nutritional contribution of 100 g of a flour cake comprises on average:

• 7.6 g of fat
• 49.3 g of carbohydrates
• 8.0 g of protein

Perhaps the nutritional benefit that may surprise consumers the most is the amount of carbohydrates in the flour pancake. However, the truth is, it’s not very significant. 100 g of flour pancake is only 11.7% of the recommended daily intake.

How to prepare flour pancakes

Now we will introduce you to the recipe for making delicious flour pancakes. If you don’t like butter or lard, you can easily replace those fats with oil. 

However, you won’t get the same result, so give it a try first. The quantities calculated for this recipe will allow you to prepare approximately 24 flour patties.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cup of flour (180 g)
• 1 teaspoon of salt (5 g)
• 2 tablespoons of lard or butter (30 g), or oil if you prefer
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder (10 g)
• 1 ½ glass of water (300 ml)

Preparation of the dough for the flour pancakes

• Mix all the ingredients together. This is the simplest of this recipe. However, as you will probably find out, the secret lies in handling the dough correctly you will end up with. At least that will determine how it looks.
• Try to mix the ingredients as we recommend. With a little practice you will be able to shape the dough well to form beautiful flour pancakes.
• In a bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking powder.
• Then add the lard or butter (or oil) with your fingers and continue until the dough of the flour patties is formed.
• Add water and mix until the dough is smooth.
• Sprinkle the work surface with wheat flour and place the dough you have prepared on it. Begin kneading the dough well until it becomes soft and elastic.
• Divide the dough into 24 balls of the same size.

Preparation of flour pancakes

• Heat a pan the size you want your patties to be on medium-high.
• Use a rolling pin to crush the balls and turn them into a circular shape.
• Place your raw flour pancake in the hot pan and brown it well on both sides. You have to turn it before the extreme heat burns it off.
• If you have any patties left over, keep them wrapped in a cloth and place them in the fridge to keep them cool. If you leave the patties in the air for a long time, the dough may deteriorate.

Dare to prepare these delicious flour pancakes and surprise your friends and family! You can use them as bread, but also in savory or sweet preparations.

Share your results and if you know of other ways to bake patties, please let us know.