I remember fondly the mornings that my dad would wake us up to the smell of freshly made pancakes. I had almost forgotten about these pancakes until I went to visit my parents a few weekends ago.
He asked my kids if they wanted pancakes in the morning, and my eyes got wide. Of course it was a no-brainer, my kids definitely wanted pancakes, but these weren’t just any pancakes. These are my Dad’s 3 Ingredient Pancakes.
And they ‘re not like any pancake you’ve ever tasted.
It starts out with just 3 simple ingredients… plus a few dashes of salt.
Flour, Eggs and Milk.
I asked my dad where he got this recipe. He pulled out an extremely old Betty Crocker cookbook/binder. The pages were tinted a slight yellow color, surly from the age of the book. He flipped right to the beef section.
Wait… what?!
Right after a recipe for a traditional roast beef was a recipe for Yorkshire Pudding.
I was a little confused, but he said that his mother’s grandmother (that’s my great great grandmother) used to make a recipe she called “Smorn,” which contained the ingredients used to make a yorkshire pudding but cooked in a hot cast-iron pan, then cut up into crispy little pieces. It was then smothered with syrup or dipped into eggs. My great great grandmother gave birth to 20 children, 14 of which survived to live a long time. She was 108 years old before she passed away.
This recipe was a staple for her because it was cheap and fed a lot of people. It’s been passed down generation to generation. Fond memories included.
Growing up, my dad would make the Smorn into small round pancakes, and we would enjoy them with a nice helping of maple syrup.
The pancakes themselves aren’t sweet. They aren’t fluffy. In fact, growing up my siblings and I referred to them as “the rubber pancakes.” But what they are, is super addictive. Top them with butter, smear on some fruit preserves, smother them with syrup, either way you’re going to enjoy these mini flap jacks.
I have extremely fond memories of these pancakes, and I’m super excited to now be able to pass the tradition on to my own kids, and now share that with you.
You gotta love these vintage recipes! 🙂
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Dad’s 3 Ingredient Pancakes
Instructions
- Combine the flour, eggs, milk and salt in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Whisk it until it's smooth and there are no lumps.
- Pour the batter into small rounds onto a hot, lightly greased skillet and flip after about 20 to 30 seconds. Let cook for an additional 15 to 20 seconds.
- Serve hot with maple syrup on top. Enjoy!
Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
Leah
Thank you for posting this recipe!
My dad and grandfather use to make these when my sisters and I were growing up, and we love them! However they always would just eyeball it, so when I when I had to go gluten free it became a challenge to make them. They would never come out right, but this recipe translates very well with GF flour and brings a bit of joy back from my childhood.
Hikmot
This was perfect for me and my children tonight. I really was not in the mood for fluffy pancakes and honestly do not have all the ingredients for that, but I just knew I should still be able to make pancakes with the little ingredients I have, thank you so much for sharing your recipe and the sweet background story. Me and the children loved eating our pancakes tonight. Very fast and not too much ingredients and ofcos healthy. Tick, tick, tick.
Rhonda Revier
I just want to say at least I my favorite pancakes ever! I did not get the recipe from here. My grandma used to make these all the time when she was alive and called them “Rubber Pancakes”. My dad and aunts made these as well! Our favorite way to eat them is to put butter and sugar on top when they are done. I have made these for my kids, Step kids, nieces, nephews and friends. I was so surprised when I saw this recipe and happy that other people who loves these Rubber Pancakes as much as we do ❤️
Mar
False Advertising. These are basically omlettes with flour.
Helga
Have been making these for years! They are like french crepes. Have made them with chopped apples or sliced bananas. Also put jam or sugar and cinnamin on them and roll em up! Very tasty
Lydia
Terrible pancakes. Kids and grandkids agree, not good at all. Flat and rubbery and very bland.
Shawn
I’m sorry for your confusion about this recipe, but they are definitely described as flat and rubbery in the blog post. That is exactly how they are supposed to be. We use syrup and butter to give them their sweetness. If you’re looking for a more traditional pancake, you can try my Classic Pancake recipe!
Heather
My pancakes turned out very flat. I probably won’t make this recipe again.
Shawn
That’s exactly how these pancakes are supposed to turn out. I’m guessing you didn’t read the blog post above? Here is a fluffy pancake recipe you can try – Best Classic Pancakes Recipe
jadynn
not the best turnout they tasted like more of a rubbery crepe than a pancake but they were very easy to make and looked good. i just didnt get that light and fluffy texture. maybe next time! 🙂
Shawn
If you read the blog post, you would know that these pancakes turned out exactly as described. They definitely are not meant to be light and fluffy in texture. You’re going to want to try my Classic Pancake Recipe for that. Hope you enjoy!
Mignone Borg Catania
Best self raising or all purpose flour please?
And well done, it looks good.
Jess
I had to comment because I have never known anyone who makes these! My dad made them when I was a kid and I make them now – we call them flapjacks. I was surprised to learn that most people do not think of these when they think of flapjacks, they think of pancakes! I can’t stand pancakes, but I will eat these all day. Yeah, they are rubbery – rubbery, delicious and never soggy!
Emma
Your Grandmothers/Dad/YOUR pancake/ sworn recipe is delicious. I’ve been eating them as they come out of the cast iron. Thanks!
Shawn
That’s so great to hear! Glad you’re enjoying them Emma!
Cynthia Marshall
Looks like I missed my sweet aunts more than I thought I would.
Mignone Borg Catania
Any unused mixture, can it be refrigerated please and if so, how long can stay in fridge? Thanks a lot.
Deeksha
This looks amazing. I love it.
Shawn
Thanks!
Chermyl A. Matthews
Thank you for this recipe, this pancake is the best, I ate mines with honey
Shawn
So glad you enjoyed them!
Allan
I haven’t tried them yet but I hope they are as good as everybody says
Shawn
That’s great! I know you will enjoy them.
Ashley Bowman
Made this because i was looking for a good healthy breakfast idea for my one year old. He and I both love this!!!
Shawn
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed it Ashley!
Trisha
Wowza! Tried these and added some chocolate chips. They’re amazing!
Shawn
Nice! Love the idea of adding chocolate chips!
Austin
I am a fat pancake boy you pics look great and I probably cooked them wrong
Austin
They were not the best but they are so thin and bitter
Shawn
These pancakes are definitely not a fat fluffy pancake. They are thin and almost “rubbery”, but that’s the beauty of them. There is almost no flavor to them, so you’ll have to add syrup or jam. They’re not for everyone, but a family recipe passed down to me from my Dad. I loved them growing up and my kids love them too. 🙂
Ithunna
In our house, these are considered English pancakes. My Mah and at least her mother and grandmother made this recipe. Sworn by it for years.
Gia
Was the cook book red white and blue plaid??
Austin
Yes
Jan
I’m going to try these. I’m not a “fluffy” pancake fan (maybe the only person I know that isn’t). I’m always trying to figure out how to keep them from getting “fat” & keep them as thin as possible, so these look good to me!
Shawn
Oh my gosh, you will LOVE THESE!! I’m totally with you on the thin pancakes. Maybe it’s because I grew up on these, but I’ll pick these over the fluffy pancakes any day! 🙂
Mary Jane
I’m not a fluffy pancake fan, either. They aren’t fluffy, they are sponges that soak up the syrup and turn into a mushy mess. Never understood why people like that. I prefer these. I’ve always made mine this way, I add a little melted butter to the batter, but they are flat and moist and perfect. With butter and syrup. Really great!
Melissa
These pancakes are by far the nicest i have ever made, the texture is perfect and goes so well with the syrup. Honestly for the amount of ingredients you can’t really expect much, but these really will surprise you. (:
Shawn
Nice! I’m so glad you enjoyed them Melissa!
RainbowNexus
Hey These are the ones we make at home!
It’s a very British pancake recipe (and yes it is almost identical to yourkshire pudding). I find the go really well with butter, brown sugar and lemon juice 🙂
Shawn
Awesome!! We definitely put some butter on top, but I’ll have to try the brown sugar and lemon juice! 🙂
Nicole
What a great family recipe story! And 20 kids!?!? Zoinks! I need to try these rubber pancakes 😉
Shawn
Thanks Nicole! 🙂
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
Your pictures are spectacular, Shawn! So crisp and clear… I’m trying not to lick my screen over here 🙂 and I love the story of the recipes being passed down – so sweet! I wish I had that in my family, but I guess I’ll be the one starting all the recipes, ha!
Shawn
Aww thanks Hayley! I think it’s awesome that you’re starting your own family traditions. That’s very special!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life
Holy cow! Those look so good! And I love the story behind them and how you are passing it on to your kids!!! And Dorothy is right…your pics look amazing!
Shawn
Thanks Jocelyn! 🙂
Dom
Thank you for this recipe. Growing up my dad made these and called them “Rubber Tires” and they’re amazing. Anyone expecting a light, fluffy pancake, these aren’t them (as mentioned in the post). Personally I add some vanilla extract to mine and maybe a little sugar but this recipe with some vanilla, covered in butter and syrup is chefs kiss.
Chels R.
That is a neat story and they look and sound so so good!
Shawn
Thanks Chels! 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
This is such a great recipe and the memories are even better. And you photos. STUNNING!
Shawn
Thanks Dorothy! 🙂
Heather
Pretty cool history Shawn!
Shawn
Thanks Heather! I thought you might get a kick out of that! 🙂
Carol at Wild Goose Tea
I am a pancake fan. More of a pancake groupie. I love the recipe and REALLY love the story!
Shawn
You’ll really love these pancakes then! 🙂
Stephanie
20 kids!! What a great story. I googled “Smorn” and it looks delicious! You should revamp it and post – your family would be proud. Oh amd these pancakes look like they would be excellent wrapped around a sausage!
Shawn
I think I’m going to have to make that Smorn and blog it. It’s too interesting not to share! 🙂
Annalise @ Completely Delicious
Wow, what a story! I love learning about recipes that are passed down through the generations in other families. Such an unusual pancake, I’m definitely going to have to give them a try!
Shawn
Thanks Annalise! 🙂