Rise and Shine with Spring's Tangy Treat: Rhubarb Pancakes

by Jon Henry

Forget plain pancakes this weekend! As spring blossoms, so does the opportunity to infuse your breakfast with the delightful tang of fresh rhubarb. Often relegated to pies and crumbles, rhubarb's vibrant flavor and beautiful color make it an unexpected, yet utterly delicious, addition to your morning stack.

These Rhubarb Pancakes are a true celebration of the season. The tartness of the rhubarb beautifully balances the sweetness of the pancake batter, creating a truly unique and irresistible breakfast experience. Plus, those little pink flecks throughout? Absolutely gorgeous!

Ready to elevate your pancake game? Let's get cooking!

Fluffy Rhubarb Pancakes: A Taste of Spring in Every Bite

This recipe yields light, fluffy pancakes with pockets of tender, tangy rhubarb that burst with flavor.

Yields: Approximately 8-10 pancakes Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Pancakes:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ¼ cups buttermilk (or milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice/white vinegar, let sit 5 mins)
  • 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing the griddle
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup finely diced fresh rhubarb (about 1-2 stalks), washed and trimmed (discard leaves)

For Serving (Optional but Recommended!):

  • Maple syrup
  • A dollop of whipped cream or vanilla yogurt
  • Fresh berries
  • A sprinkle of powdered sugar

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Rhubarb: Wash your rhubarb stalks thoroughly. Crucially, discard the leaves entirely as they are toxic. Trim any tough ends and finely dice the stalks into small, even pieces (about ¼-inch to ½-inch is ideal so they cook through quickly).
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently with a whisk or spoon until just combined. A few lumps are okay; do not overmix, as this can lead to tough pancakes.
  5. Fold in Rhubarb: Gently fold the diced rhubarb into the pancake batter.
  6. Heat your Griddle: Heat a lightly greased griddle or large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Test by flicking a few drops of water onto the surface; if they sizzle and evaporate quickly, it's ready.
  7. Cook the Pancakes: Pour ¼ cup of batter per pancake onto the hot griddle. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until bubbles appear on the surface and the edges look set, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.
  8. Serve Warm: Transfer cooked pancakes to a plate and keep warm while you cook the remaining batter.
  9. Garnish and Enjoy: Serve your Rhubarb Pancakes immediately with a generous drizzle of maple syrup, a dollop of whipped cream, fresh berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Tips for Pancake Perfection:

  • Don't Overmix: This is the golden rule for fluffy pancakes! Overmixing develops gluten, making them tough.
  • Small Rhubarb Pieces: Dicing the rhubarb finely ensures it softens nicely within the pancake and distributes evenly.
  • Buttermilk Magic: Buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to create extra fluffy pancakes. If you don't have it, the milk + lemon juice/vinegar trick works wonders.
  • Adjust Sweetness: Rhubarb can be quite tart. If you prefer a sweeter pancake, you can add an extra tablespoon of sugar to the dry ingredients, or rely on your toppings.
  • Keep Warm: Stack cooked pancakes on a plate loosely covered with foil in a warm oven (around 200°F / 95°C) while you finish the batch.

These Rhubarb Pancakes are more than just breakfast; they're an experience. They bring the bright, fresh flavors of spring right to your breakfast table, making any weekend morning feel a little more special.

Give these a try and let us know in the comments how much you loved them! Happy flipping!

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