Chocolate Chocolate Chip Pancakes

This recipe is inspired by IHOP. Ours went out of business, so I was forced to come up with a similar recipe, based on memory. I typically quadruple this recipe and freeze them for later.

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Preheat a cast iron griddle or large skillet on medium to medium high heat. Add a little bit of cooking oil as it heats up.

Step 2

Whisk white vinegar onto the milk in a large liquid measuring cup (quart minimum) or a small mixing bowl, and set aside for a minimum of 5 minutes to sour the milk.

Step 3

Meanwhile, add all of the dry ingredients in the bowl of an electric stand mixer. Using the standard mixing blade, mix the ingredients on slow speed until thoroughly combined. DO NOT use a whisk attachment.

Step 4

Melt the butter completely in a microwave, and then add to the liquid ingredients. Mix in the butter, vanilla extract, and egg(s). Mix thoroughly with a fork or small whisk until well blended.

Step 5

Here is the most important part of the whole process. With your dry ingredients still in the stand mixer, turn the unit on to the stir setting. Slowly pour the liquid into the dry mixture over the course of about 45 seconds to a minute. The critical part here is to slowly mix it in, and then once all of the liquid is into the mixture, turn up the mixer to a medium speed and watch the mixture like a hawk. You are wanting a thick batter, that is not over mixed. What I typically do is watch the edges for clumps and once I see about 90% of the clumps disappear I immediately turned the mixer off. The batter should be thick enough that you can put a measuring spoon inside and it should stand on its own. The entire mixing process shouldn't take any more than 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 6

Use a 1/4 cup dry measuring cup, and scoop out a heaping amount of batter and add to the hot skillet or cast iron griddle. Tap the cup against the cooking surface to get as much as you can out of the measuring cup. The center of the pancake so that it is uniformly the same thickness as close as you can get. The idea is to refrain from having a big hump in the middle. After 2 minutes flip the pancake over and flatten in the middle with your spatula. The thickness you're going for is about a quarter to a half inch thick pancake.

Step 7

Continue cooking the pancake thoroughly, checking the center on your first few to make sure they are done, but not overcooked. You want no liquid Center, so as soon as it solidifies they are done. This first couple pancakes you make will determine how long you need to cook them for in your setup. Typically, it takes me about three or four minutes for my setup.

Step 8

Add chocolate chips to taste while pancakes are still on the griddle, leaving them there for about 30 seconds before plating.

Step 9

Finally top with whipping cream and/or maple syrup to your liking.