Description
These Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are fluffy, tender, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Made with creamy ricotta cheese and bright lemon zest and juice, they offer a unique twist on traditional pancakes. Perfect for a delightful breakfast or brunch, they cook quickly on the stovetop to golden perfection and are best served warm with blueberry compote and maple syrup.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of kosher salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 eggs (room temperature)
- 1 ½ cup milk
- 1 ¼ cup ricotta cheese
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
For Cooking
- Butter for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and a pinch of kosher salt until well combined.
- Prepare wet ingredients: In another large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, ricotta cheese, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Combine wet and dry: Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep the batter light and fluffy.
- Rest the batter: Let the batter sit for 5 minutes to allow it to thicken slightly and the baking agents to activate.
- Heat the pan: Grease a hot pan or griddle with butter over medium heat to prevent sticking.
- Cook pancakes: Pour ¼ cup of batter onto the pan for each pancake. Cook for about 2 minutes or until small bubbles appear on the surface and the edges start to set.
- Flip and finish cooking: Flip the pancakes carefully and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the other side is golden brown and the pancake is cooked through.
- Repeat: Continue cooking the remaining batter in the same manner, greasing the pan with butter as needed.
- Serve: Serve the pancakes warm topped with blueberry compote and maple syrup for the perfect flavor combination.
Notes
- Room temperature eggs help the batter mix more smoothly and result in fluffier pancakes.
- Do not overwork the batter to keep pancakes tender; a few lumps are okay.
- Resting the batter allows the baking soda and powder to react, giving better rise and texture.
- If you prefer, substitute whole milk with buttermilk for added tanginess.
- Use a non-stick pan or a well-seasoned griddle to avoid sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Pancakes can be kept warm in a low oven while cooking the rest of the batch.