A Jedi's strength flows from the Pancakes...

Hello! I have a silly little technique for you today, in fact, I don't know as I can really even call it a technique... more of a gadget. I got these awesome Star Wars pancake molds for my birthday from my lovely friends Michelle and David, and I am pleased as punch to recommend them to you too. You can get them here if you are so inclined.

When I was a kid, my mom would make shaped pancakes like Mickey Mouse heads and teddy bears... basically, anything that could be made by pouring circles and ovals freehand. I think these molds are a little more up my alley because there's absolutely no artistic ability needed.

There's a buttermilk pancake recipe on the packaging they come in, or you can use whatever pancake recipe you like. I used one from Martha Stewart. I wonder if Martha is a Star Wars fan?


Star Wars Pancakes
(original recipe here)

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 1/2 cups buttermilk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Cooking spray (I prefer the canola oil spray from Trader Joe's)

In the bowl of your stand mixer (or just in a bowl) stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Add eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter, mix at low speed until just combined. There might be a few little lumps of flour. This is okay - you don't want to over mix it.

Spray each pancake mold thoroughly with baking spray. Get all of the little nooks and crannies. Spray a large, flat flying pan or griddle lightly with oil, and place the molds in the pan. Make sure that all of the molds are flush with the bottom of the pan- you don't want any leaking! If your pan isn't large enough, work in batches. You can keep the pancakes warm in a 175 degree oven if needed. Heat pan until a drop of water bounces off the surface.

Carefully add about 1/3 of a cup of batter to each mold. If needed, use a spoon (or butter knife) to get batter into all areas. Don't touch the mold until there are bubbles on the surface of the batter and the edges are dry. (If you try to release the mold before the pancake is mostly set, you will end up with a big blob. There is patience involved in the process!) Carefully remove the mold from the cake and flip it to brown the underside. Keep warm until serving.

Serve with warmed maple syrup and butter, and may the Force be with you.

Just to be clear, the pancake molds were a gift to me but they were purchased from Williams - Sonoma, this is not a solicited  product endorsement.