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Bacon and pancakes are about as American as soda pop and aggressive foreign policy, but why have these breakfast bedfellows side-by-side on your plate when they can be fused in an ellipse of doughy gluttony?
Setting bacon directly into the pancake, the mouth-watering idea was dreamed up by food brand Aunt Jemima, which ran a magazine ad in 1962 with the instructions:
"Just about the best breakfast that ever greeted a hungry family! And it's as easy as this: Shake up Aunt Jemima batter according to package directions. Place cooked bacon strips on the griddle and pour batter over each strip. Bake 'em golden brown on both sides. Couldn't be easier - couldn't taste better! How about Aunt Jemima Bacon Strip Pancakes at your house tomorrow!"
(Picture: Breakfast Blogger) Here's what you'll need to make them:
(serves 4, or 1 if you're hungry)
12 slices of streaky bacon
500ml pancake batter - from a mix or from scratch (there's more on the perfect homemade batter here )
softened butter
maple syrup
10 best pancake essentialsShow all 10 1 /1010 best pancake essentials 10 best pancake essentials Tala Cook's Measure This retro-looking bit of kit is a traditional alternative to kitchen scales. Measurements are clearly marked on the inside for precise weighing of dry ingredients, including sugar and flour (pour up to the appropriate line). A good time and space saver.
£7.99, lakeland
10 best pancake essentials Zing Whisk This modern twist on one of the most traditional baking tools is just the job for pancake making, at a bargain price. In a range of vivid colours, it’s easy to clean, soft to hold, and is heat-resistant.
£3, asda
10 best pancake essentials Kenwood kMix Standmixer Prepare pancake mix, as well as impressive pancake fillings and sauces, in a fraction of the time with this retro-looking stand mixer. Available in a range of funky colours, it will also do you proud for the rest of the year, with its outstanding skills in mixing, kneading, whisking and whipping.
£299, amazon
10 best pancake essentials Breville Traditional Crêpe Maker Struggle to make decent pancakes, no matter how hard you try? Cheat with this great value, easy-to-clean crêpe maker that also makes omelettes, blinis and more in just minutes. With different heat settings, so once your pancakes are cooked you can keep them warm or heat them up from cold.
£30, amazon
10 best pancake essentials Eddingtons Lemon Squeezer When all you want on your pancakes is some sugar and lemon, this citrus press is just the ticket. Designed to get every last drop from the fruit, leaving behind just the pips, you simply cut the fruit in half then place it cut side down and squeeze the arms together.
£6, amazon
10 best pancake essentials Rushbrooke’s Butcher’s Striped Apron These guys know a thing or two about aprons, having made them for Smithfield Market butchers for over 170 years. Crafted from 100 per cent cotton, it’s a decent size for men and women, with a roomy pocket.
£16.99, lakeland
10 best pancake essentials Littlewoods Simplicity Retro Kitchen Scales This set of scales, available in a range of bright colours, looks cool on a kitchen worktop, and the deep-sided bowl holds a lot without spillages. With enamel effect finish, a 5kg capacity and removable bowl, it’s currently on sale.
£19, littlewoods
10 best pancake essentials OXO Good Grips Angled Measuring Jug Fed up with squinting at the quantities on the side of your jug? Available in three sizes, this genius product has an angled surface that lets you read measurement markings by looking straight down in to the cup.
£12, houseoffraser
10 best pancake essentials Chef n Pop Set of Mixing Bowls You know when you pour the batter from the bowl into the pan and it spills everywhere? Well, this set of three bowls, with pop-up handles and pouring spouts, will stop that. They have a non-slip base so they stay in place when you’re whisking everything together.
£28, amazon
10 best pancake essentials Marks and Spencer Non-Stick Pancake Pan Pancakes aren’t just for Shrove Tuesday, this non-stick, easy-to-clean pan will serve you well for indulgent breakfasts and crêpe dinners too. The stainless steel handle has a softer grip insert if you want to practise your flipping.
£19, marksandspencer
Tips:
- Set your griddle/pan to a medium-high heat
- Cook the bacon until it is crispy and try to retain its strip shape
- Wipe down the pan and leave a little grease to cook the pancakes
- Separate the bacon leaving two inches between each rasher (you'll probably need to work in batches)
- Pour the batter over the bacon slowly
- Check the pancakes after a minute and, once browned, flip them
Serve with an indecent amount of maple syrup.
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