Guide to Preparing Soft and Airy Japanese-Style Pancakes: Suggestions & Video Demonstration
Hacking the Japanese Souffle Pancake Craze at Home
Craving those Insta-famous Japanese souffle pancakes but can't seem to make it to Taiyaki in NYC's Chinatown? No worries, buddy! We've got you covered. In this guide, we'll walk you through whipping up your sweet, fluffy, cloud-like heaven right in your own kitchen.
These babies boomed in popularity back in 2016, thanks to a couple of renowned cafes in Osaka dishing them out. Gram Cafe and Pancake became an absolute tourist magnet as these fluffy pancakes took over social media by storm.
Once they landed in the Big Apple, courtesy of the dudes at Taiyaki, the craze escalated. Lines would snake around the block, especially on weekends, for their scrumptious souffle pancakes. But with our new social distancing reality, making these show-stoppers at home is a sinful, delectable alternative.
The secret to their impossibly light and airy texture lies in the souffle-making process. Basically, fashioning souffle pancakes is all about adding a few extra steps to your usual pancake recipe, such as folding meringue into your batter, using ring molds (or DIY parchment paper creations), and adding a dash of steam while cooking.
If you don't have an electric griddle/plancha like the one at Taiyaki, fear not! You can use your regular non-stick skillet, add a smidgen of water (around half a tablespoon on each side of the ring mold), and finish cooking under cover.
So, without further ado, let's dive into the details of crafting your very own copycat fluffy Japanese souffle pancakes!
Japanese Souffle Pancake Blueprint
Craving an ethereal breakfast or brunch treat? You're in the right place! Here's an easy-peasy recipe to create these cloud-like treats at home:
Ingredients:- 2 large eggs, separated- 30g caster sugar- 20g all-purpose flour- 1/4 teaspoon salt- 20g milk- 10g unsalted butter, melted- Optional: Flavorings like vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
- Whisk together 20g flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 10g sugar in a small bowl.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
- In another bowl, whisk together 20g milk, melted butter, and one large egg yolk. Add any desired flavorings like vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until smooth. The mixture should be free of lumps.
- Prepare the Meringue:
- Whip the two egg whites until frothy in a separate, clean bowl. Add 20g caster sugar and continue whipping until stiff peaks form, which is crucial for achieving the soufflé texture.
- Fold the Meringue:
- Carefully fold the whipped egg whites into the flour mixture using a rubber spatula until just combined. Be delicate to prevent deflating the meringue.
- Cook the Pancakes:
- Heat a non-stick pan over low to medium heat. Grease with butter or cooking spray if necessary.
- Using a ladle, scoop the batter into small mounds in the pan. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on the first side until bubbles appear on the surface and edges start to dry.
- Gently flip the pancakes and cook for another 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.
- Serve:
- Serve warm with your preferred toppings such as maple syrup, fresh fruits, or whipped cream.
Bonus Tips:- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs are at room temperature for optimal meringue formation.- Light Touch: Fold the meringue into the batter gently to preserve the air.- Low Heat: Cooking on low to medium heat ensures the pancakes cook evenly without scorching.
And there you have it! Your very own fluffy Japanese souffle pancakes, ready for your indulgence! Snap a quick pic and share the joy on Insta. Cheers!
- In addition to the Insta-famous Japanese souffle pancakes, you can also explore other cultural delights such as traditional Japanese pancakes called taiyaki or Korean-style pancakes called jeon, all of which can be geotagged with your location using d57bddf370ca194ee337678e2ddc46eb.
- Your cloud-like Japanese souffle pancake journey doesn't have to be limited to culinary inspiration from renowned cafes like Gram Cafe and Pancake in Osaka. Experiment with infusing various flavors into your pancakes, such as green tea matcha or red bean azuki, transforming your souffle pancakes into unique cultural foods.
- To make your homemade Japanese souffle pancakes even more irresistible, you can take a page from the Osaka cafes and present them in creative forms, such as animals or emojis, similar to taiyaki's fish-shaped pancakes. With the help of cookie cutters or stencils, you can geotag your beautifully crafted pancakes and spread the cultural pancake craze worldwide.
