Gypsie Bird Press
Kitty Donohoe - Children's AuthorKidz Stuff
‘The Maple Syrup Adventure’ is about maple syrup, a flapjack contest, and a very hot spring day in Pineville. Henny gets into mischief when he puts too much baking powder into his batter! Did you know there are at least two National Flapjack Days? One is March 7th, another one is January 28th, and there are probably even more. Of course, you don’t need a special day to eat flapjacks.
What is a flapjack anyway?
Flapjack is another word for pancake. There are many other words that describe the same thing, or at least something pretty close to it, often with slightly different ingredients. Here are some of those names. Can you think of any others?
griddlecake ~ same as a pancake or flapjack
hotcake ~ same as a griddlecake though often a bit smaller
hoecake ~ a pancake that was cooked on the blade of a hoe instead of in a pan
johnnycake ~ made with cornmeal instead of flour
waffle ~ cooked in a waffle iron with little squares
crepe ~ thinner than a pancake
batter cake ~ made with cornmeal
buckwheat cake ~ made with buckwheat flour
flannel cake ~ a pancake that’s a bit on the thick side
Where does Maple Syrup come from?
Maple syrup is made from the sap that comes out of sugar maple trees in the early spring or late winter. The sap is collected (it’s a slow process) and is boiled down until most of the liquid is gone, leaving a thick, tasty syrup. Mmmmmmmmmm
Flapjack Recipe
1 1/2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoons of melted butter
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
1 & 1/4 cups of milk
1 egg
In a large bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients ~ the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Make a little hole in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the butter, vanilla and milk, then add the egg.
With a big wooden spoon mix it all together until it’s well combined.
In a griddle or large frying pan, heat some vegetable oil on medium-high heat until the oil starts to shimmer (or make little waves). Carefully pour a large spoonful of batter into the pan and watch until it begins to get bubbles on the top. With a spatula, gently slide it under the flapjack and turn it over. Cook for another 30-45 seconds or so and with the spatula lift it onto a plate.
Breakfast is served!
