Small pancakes with fruit salad and maple syrup – Perfect for sweet lovers

Calories, Work Effort & Difficulty Level

• Calories per serving (for 12 servings): approx. 405 kcal
• Preparation time: approx. 20 minutes
• Total time: approx. 1 hour
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Special features: Low fat, vegetarian, alcohol-free

Ingredients

For the pancakes:

• 100 g butter
• 900 ml milk
• 500 g flour
• 2 tbsp sourdough extract (powder)
• 2 tsp dry yeast (leveled)
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp sugar
• 2 eggs

For the fruit salad:

• 1.5 kg seasonal fruit (e.g. strawberries, plums, grapes, kiwis, apples)

For serving:

• 200 g maple syrup (or honey)

Preparation

1. Prepare the batter and let it rise

1. Melt the butter in a small pot. Pour in the milk and gently warm the mixture.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sourdough extract, yeast, salt, and sugar.
3. Add the milk-butter mixture and the eggs, and whisk together with a whisk or hand mixer until you have a semi-liquid batter.
4. Cover the batter and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour until it has noticeably risen.

2. Bake the pancakes

1. Melt some butter in a large non-stick pan.
2. For each pancake, add about 2–3 tbsp of batter to the pan. You can fit about 3 small pancakes in at the same time.
3. Cook the pancakes until the top forms bubbles and the underside is golden brown.
4. Flip the pancakes and cook the second side until golden brown as well. Keep warm.
5. Repeat until all the batter is used up. The batter makes about 24 small pancakes.

3. Prepare the fruit salad

1. Wash the fruit thoroughly, pat dry, and peel or core as needed.
2. Cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces and place in a bowl.
3. Toss with 2–3 tbsp of maple syrup and let sit until serving.

4. Plate and serve

1. Arrange the warm pancakes on plates.
2. Distribute the fruit salad on top or beside the pancakes.
3. Drizzle with the remaining maple syrup (or honey) and enjoy.

Pro Tips for Perfect Small Pancakes

1. Keep the batter light:
   The batter should not be too thick – a semi-liquid batter ensures fluffy, tender pancakes.
2. Perfect browning:
   The pan should be heated to medium-high so that the pancakes turn golden brown and do not burn.
3. Flexible fruit:
   Use seasonal fruits for the fruit salad. Berries are ideal in summer, while apples, oranges, and pomegranate seeds are great in winter.
4. Freeze leftovers:
   The pancakes freeze well. After thawing, simply warm them briefly in the oven or toaster.
5. Extra fluffiness:
   For particularly fluffy pancakes, you can lightly beat the batter again with a hand mixer after it has risen.

Ingredient Knowledge: Focus on Ingredients

Sourdough Extract

• Function: Sourdough extract gives the pancakes a subtle acidity and supports the yeast in rising.
• Alternative: Sourdough extract can be replaced with 1 tbsp of natural yogurt, which gives the batter a similar acidity.

Dry Yeast

• Function: The yeast ensures a light, airy batter.
• Tip: Dry yeast should always be used with a bit of sugar to rise optimally.

Maple Syrup

• Properties: The Canadian classic is a natural sweetener and pairs perfectly with pancakes and fruit salad.
• Alternative: Honey or agave syrup also work well as toppings.

Seasonal Fruit

• Advantage: Fresh, seasonal fruit tastes best and provides a wealth of vitamins and nutrients.
• Tip: Choose fruits with different textures, such as crunchy apples, soft grapes, and juicy strawberries.

What Can Go Wrong – and How to Fix It?

1. Batter does not rise:

   • Cause: Milk was too hot or the yeast is old.
   • Solution: Ensure the milk is only lukewarm, and use fresh yeast.

2. Pancakes turn out dry:

   • Cause: Baked too long or at too high a heat.
   • Solution: Set the pan to medium heat and bake the pancakes until just golden brown.

3. Fruit salad becomes watery:

   • Cause: Fruit was prepared too early.
   • Solution: Mix the fruit salad just before serving to avoid unnecessary watering.

Why Love This Recipe?

These small pancakes with fruit salad and maple syrup are the perfect combination of fluffy batter, fresh fruit, and natural sweetness. They are suitable for any occasion – whether as breakfast, dessert, or a sweet main dish. Easy to prepare and incredibly delicious!

Interactive Conclusion

Did you try the recipe? What fruit did you use? Share your experiences and tips in the comments – our cooking expert looks forward to your feedback!