We are bringing in less fresh food on this trip so we can get our fish on. So there seems to be a thousand varieties of pancake batter any thoughts. I did use the boards suggestions on mashed, skillet fries and stuffing.

You're going to get all brands offered here, but we buy the Betty Crocker pouches because they pack easy and are simple to use. Just add water, stir well and pour into the fry pan.

Each pouch makes three larger-size flapjacks so with our typical group of six, we'll pack three pouches per meal. With some pre-cooked bacon, a large flapjack and a half is more than enough for a hearty breakfast.

Betty Crocker Complete Pancake mix

Jackfish is right, make sure its a just-add-water. To me they taste as good as the ones that need milk and eggs.

Krusteaz Buttermilk. Just add Water. Once you try them you will never buy anything else.









Krusteaz

i also am a Krusteaz fan. Never use anything else. Just add water.

Used to always have the Oat Bran one, but cannot find it anymore, so I get the Wheat and Honey. Mmmmm.

quote bojibob: "Krusteaz Buttermilk. Just add Water. Once you try them you will never buy anything else.











Krusteaz "

what he said.

For you Krusteaz users, do you bring the box and measure the amounts in camp, or do you pre-measure and pre-bag at home?

Half the reason I buy the Betty Crocker pouches is because they're in a pouch. Easy to pack, already measured... it's simple. If Krusteaz makes a NOTICEABLY better pancake than Betty Crocker, I'd be willing to give it a try.

quote bojibob: "Krusteaz Buttermilk. Just add Water. Once you try them you will never buy anything else.





Krusteaz...but with blue berries, unless of course you happen to be tripping in blue berry season.





Krusteaz "

Krusteaz blueberry pancakes for me - just add water. I premeasure everything at home and put in zip locks - on the zip lock I write how much water to add to each one.
Our group eats breakfast later in the morning after a few hours of fishing and by then we are starving and this meal will hold us over until supper. Basically we use about a cup of dry batter per person along with a pound of bacon per 3 guys.

I pre-measure and pack in pint-size ziplock bags. (There are only two of us.) Have added fresh-picked blueberries if I find them up there, but not necessary, in my opinion. We have pancakes a couple times each trip.

Krusteaz Blueberry Pancake Mix.... the best!

Natural High Six-Grain Pancakes with Apples and Spice.

quote Springer2: "Natural High Six-Grain Pancakes with Apples and Spice.
"

Springer2 - it looks like you're cooking on top of a kevlar canoe there. We've done it on top of an aluminum canoe many times. Is it a kevlar canoe and do you feel safe with stoves on top of it?

I used to be a big fan of Krusteaz pancake mix. Then it was Sturdi-Wheat. Now I like cheap, ol', generic pancake mix. I'm of the mind now that as long as it is add-water-only, and made in the BWCA, it's great.

I prepack at about one cup per person, but I do bring extra. It makes a good fish batter and it's nice to have extra if wind bound. It also makes a passable cake.

I also sometimes like to make extra at breakfast. I add a little more water to make them thinner. Then I save them for lunch as a bread substitute. Smear it with jelly and roll it up. it's good.

I like Sturdi-wheat. And as it turns out, if you take tooooo much pancake mix and also take spices on the trip, you can turn pancake mix into Italian bread for spaghetti!

Sounds like a Boundary Waters crepe there Bannock! MMmm good idea!

I am a pancake snob. No "six grain" pancakes for me, sorry. And no half inch thick bricks either. I have tried all of the major mixes (that I am aware of) including Bisquick, Betty Crocker, Hungry Jack, Krusteaz, the various plastic shaker mixes, Sturdiwheat, etc. None are as good as I can make myself. But, the winner is something I cannot buy locally. I have a friend in Texas and he uses Pioneer mix which browns well, is not too sweet, is not too crumbly or cake like, is not too thick, is not too grainy, etc. And it is just add water. He is coming up for a trip the first week of June armed with plenty of Pioneer pancake mix.

Pioneer Pancake Mix

Sturdiwheat..all flavors,I just stopped at my local grocery store and picked up 3 bags on Friday night..love them for at home too! I do want to try jeroldharter recipe below..

quote jeroldharter: "I am a pancake snob. "

That is a big time LMAO.

I hope you're only pouring the finest pure maple syrup over those snobby pancakes. Aunt Jemimah or Log Cabin would be well down the page in the pancake eaters social register.

quote Jackfish: "

quote jeroldharter: "I am a pancake snob. "

That is a big time LMAO.

I hope you're only pouring the finest pure maple syrup over those snobby pancakes. Aunt Jemimah or Log Cabin would be well down the page in the pancake eaters social register."

Real maple syrup and good butter. Simple pleasures.

Seriously, it is hard to find an excellent pancake out there. We go to a place in northern Wisconsin (name undisclosed!)that runs an American plan lodge which serves the best pancakes I have ever had. And they have not changed in over 50 years. That's not bad for consistency. They are relatively thin and more "eggy" than "cakey." They hold up well to syrup and do not dissolve or crumble. With a little butter they are heaven and you can order as many as you like. Perfect. I have never been able to replicate them. I do have a Wolf griddle (a proper griddle is necessary) and have tried different recipes, but am still inferior to those pancakes. I am going there for a long weekend this Thursday so I am getting hungry.

Pioneer is good. I'm a fan of all Krusteaz products. They make nice muffin mixes also. By the way you can make pancakes out of various flavored muffin mixes. If you find "add water only" varieties you can combine them with "add water only" pancake mixes to make them go farther. I have never measured pancake mix. Just add water until it is the right consistency. The trick to making light and fluffy pancakes, is to not over mix the batter (same rule applies to muffins). Stir it around a few times just to make a semi-smooth batter. Let it sit for 2 minutes. Small lumps will disappear. Add it to the pan or griddle without "beating it" again.

I, too, make pancakes out of muffin mixes. One of our favorite breakfasts is cornmeal pancakes, made with a cornmeal muffin mix. For that one I add an egg and some powdered milk, and some melted butter. And more water than the muffins would require, to make it pancake batter consistency.

I used to use a Jiffy oatmeal muffin mix and add a little cinnamon and some chopped pecans to make oatmeal-pecan pancakes that were terrific with maple syrup but Jiffy no longer makes the mix and I haven't found a substitute yet. I am going to try making my own recipe.

I do crepes at home all of the time but haven't wanted to bother with them outdoors. I also prefer my pancakes a bit "eggy" and less like cake so crepes are my real preference, but when camping I prefer the convenience of a "just add water" mix.

quote mc2mens: "

quote Springer2: "Natural High Six-Grain Pancakes with Apples and Spice.
"

Springer2 - it looks like you're cooking on top of a kevlar canoe there. We've done it on top of an aluminum canoe many times. Is it a kevlar canoe and do you feel safe with stoves on top of it?"

We've used our kevlar canoes as kitchen tables for at least ten years with no problem--It's usually too windy to set the stoves up on the canoe though, but one of the first things we always do when we make camp is site the "table", with a rainfly if possible.

Krusteaz buttermilk mix with a drop of vanilla extract or cinnamon or nutmeg, depending on my mood.
At home I make them from scratch:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 T sugar
1 t baking power
1/2 t NaCl
1 1/2 cups fat-free buttermilk
1 T butter, melted
1 lrg egg lightly beaten

Yum, with maple syrup

Jeroldharter,

Why keep the name of a good restaurant undisclosed?

quote jaimed: "Jeroldharter,

Why keep the name of a good restaurant undisclosed?"

It is not really a restaurant. It is a place called Boyd's Mason Lake Resort.

http://www.boydsmasonlakeresort.com/

It is a wonderful place for families. Good food and fishing close to home for me. Best pancakes in the world.

Thanks.

My favorite pancakes are the pancakes that YOU make. Ingredients really don't matter, as long as I didn't have to make them. :)

quote canoe212: "My favorite pancakes are the pancakes that YOU make. Ingredients really don't matter, as long as I didn't have to make them. :)"

:) Amen!

quote Northwoodsman: "I have never measured pancake mix. Just add water until it is the right consistency."

Same here. Krusteaz brand (used to love it, now I like it). Secret - add a pouch of instant oatmeal (plain or maple sugar) to the mix and let sit a bit. If you brought bananas, add a smashed one of those too, otherwise skip that part. Makes pancakes even more moist and delicious.

I'm surprised no one mentioned the little jugs of mix that you add water to. We used that last year and they were delicious! I guess after a few days in the woods though, anything with butter and syrup on it goes down pretty nicely. Plus one less dish to clean.

I would not want to pack out the little jug, though. And for us, that makes too much, as there are just two of us. But if it works for you, that is great. For me it is easier to just have the mix all measured in a ziplock bag and add the water. I used to do it right in the bag, but now I take one of those little "disposable" Glad containers (don't bother to carry the lid along, just the little rectangular bowl--it is super-light and I fill it with stuff in my food pack so it doesn't take up any space--as a mixing bowl. Since I also make up muffins, cake mixes, corn fritters, etc. I have found having a small mixing bowl along is a convenience. The same "disposable" bowl has gone in about ten trips now. :-)

I love my pancakes and although Krusteaz brand is not available to us in stores, I may be tempted to buy on-line. You make them sound delicious.

We have been using the Bisquick in the plastic jug and yes, carry the empty jug out. We like others have mentioned, will add any available berries that may be in season. We do bring at times some sliced almonds and almond extract (2-drops) to add a bit of variety. The Bisquick has been used as a fish coating and for rolls at supper time as well.

Last year we were fortunate enough to have blueberry pancakes one morning, raspberry another, almond pancakes, and yes, plain pancakes the final morning. Now that is a good trip.
Boppa

I use any of the "just add water" mixes. I like the idea of the muffin mixes for pancakes too. I'll have to try that on our upcoming trip. I also don't measure...I just add water 'til it looks to be the right consistency. We don't usually pack in syrup but have peanut butter on our pancakes. With the previous post on the differnt "butters" I'm going to try those on pancakes - lots of new ideas - I love it!

Krusteaz is my alltime favorite also. For something different, before you go, mix Cinnamon, nutmeg and a little Cardamom together. Add some of it to the pancake batter and it will taste like a pastry. (go light on the Cardamom and nutmeg )

Also, if you don't want to pack in syrup, take a small plastic bottle of imitation maple flavoring, melt some sugar in water and add to taste. it's thinner than maple syrup but you aren't packing in the weight.

Terry

We used the flavored muffin mix (just add water kind) for our trip this weekend and made pancakes. It worked out well and the kids really liked them. With the variety of flavors available to purchase it was a nice change from plain pancakes and we didn't need to use any syrup on them. It was perfect!

Best pancakes in the world - IMO. Of course, even better when using Jim's (Jean, the baker's husband, and occasional fishing guide) own maple syrup. Just enjoyed a week of them each morning at the breakfast table in Fargo - delivering meals to the cabins last year and this year due to Covid. Ended up on this forum after my google search for Boyd's Mason Lake Pancake Recipe! Back home only 3 days now and itching for my Boyd's pancake fix (and I am not generally a pancake lover). I'd pay a lot for that recipe! Maybe I'll reach out to Kris to see if she'll share it. . .

I haven't tried Krusteaz so I can't say I wouldn't like it, but most just add water mixes I've tried are not as good as Pioneer baking mix with eggs and milk. We premeasure the baking mix, ova easy egg powder and nido milk powder. Then vaccum seal enough for 1 meal. All we have to add is water at camp and melted butter if desired. They are just like the ones we make at home. We usually add a little extra baking powder any time we use a premixed product. It seems to lose strength over time.

I am also a Crusties fan. I measure each meal out and add cornmeal and quick oatmeal. If it’s blueberry season we will add blueberries.

We never have any luck making pancakes at camp. Tried different brands, used different stoves, different pans. They just don't turn out, so we don't bring them anymore. At home I make them from scratch.

Regional brand but New Hope Mills yields a really good light and moist pancake strong in buttermilk flavor. Add egg and water. Grew up not far from their water powered mill, which I read is no longer powering the actual grinding.

Any just add water brand that is on the shelf at target has always been a hit.

What really makes them tick is the add ins. I highly recommend squeeze butter, real maple syrup and adding rehydrated blueberries. We get our blueberries from Packit gourmet.

Wow, this is a really old thread, but I think it's a topic well worth revisiting from time to time.

In the past I've been in the "mix it yourself from scratch" camp because basic pancake mix is so easy to do. A couple of years ago I discovered Sunrise Flour Mill, here in Minnesota. Great pancake mix that use a combination of red and white wheat flour, oat flour, rye flour, wild rice flour and flax seed meal. You do need to add milk. I find it easy to prepare and delicious. If your interested it can be found here: Sunrise Flour Mill Pancake Mix

All you guys are missing out. Grizzly Pancake mix is by far the best I've ever had!
And they're half way healthy too!

I luuuuv my pancakes in the morning! I searched around for a while and found a just add water mix that really stood out - Sturdiwheat which is a regional brand from Red Wing MN. I would mix 2 parts Sturdiwheat with one part whey powder and one part quick oats. This ups the protein and complex carbs so it just last longer in your stomach.

Starting this year I’ve had a hard time finding Sturdiwheat. I tried Kodiak which is moving onto the shelves but was very disappointed. In fact, I was so disappointed in it after my last trip I vowed to drive to Red Wing if I have to to find Sturdiewheat.

bojibob: "Krusteaz Buttermilk. Just add Water. Once you try them you will never buy anything else.



Yes! Hard to understand why a basic Ike this is so much better than other brands....but it is.







Krusteaz "

Jackfish: "

quote jeroldharter: "I am a pancake snob. "

That is a big time LMAO.

I hope you're only pouring the finest pure maple syrup over those snobby pancakes. Aunt Jemimah or Log Cabin would be well down the page in the pancake eaters social register."

Oh mos DEF!
Real Vermont maple.or nothing

1st of all, I do NOT like making them out there. A ton of cleanup. Syrup is everywhere and it is messy/sticky.
Take forever to cook 3 (at most) pancakes at a time.

The Shake and Pour Yellow bottles where you just add water, shake it, then pour it into the fry pan is the way to go. Way less mess. Still have to deal with the syrup mess but it helps.

I still dont like to do them.

MarshallPrime: "1st of all, I do NOT like making them out there. A ton of cleanup. Syrup is everywhere and it is messy/sticky.
Take forever to cook 3 (at most) pancakes at a time.


The Shake and Pour Yellow bottles where you just add water, shake it, then pour it into the fry pan is the way to go. Way less mess. Still have to deal with the syrup mess but it helps.


I still dont like to do them."

Pancakes are one of my most favorite foods. However, I don't make them in camp for some of the reasons MarshallPrime listed. The syrup and butter, must-haves in my opinion, will lead to a mess. Plus, I'm just not confident in my ability to make quality cakes that won't burn, be gooey or less-than-cooked, or otherwise just not that good. I've decided to have pancakes on the drive up and/or back instead.

BUT...this year I'm trying corn cakes. I'm using Marie Callander cornbread mix. I just add water to make a thicker batter and pour it on the griddle. They're plenty sweet for my wife and I so no syrup is required. I'm not sure if I'll try to bring butter or a butter substitute.

One could ask what the difference is. To me, the corncakes appear to have a greater chance of success than pancakes. And they are more filling, so I won't need to make eight of them.

Mike

We use the high protein mix from Aldi. It also doubles as batter for fish. We're not doing pancakes this year though. I'm tired of carrying syrup and peanut butter for them

I like Krusteaz and I like Sturdiwheat. Sturdiwheat I have to buy online or when in Ely.
Is there a real maple syrup that doesn’t come in a glass bottle? I’m ok with the commercial “maple syrups” and a squeeze Parkay type substance for trips. But I’m just as fine with honey as well, especially if I just picked some blueberries to go in the pancakes!

HowardSprague: "Is there a real maple syrup that doesn’t come in a glass bottle? "

If you want some pre-packaged version in non-glass bottles:

Maple Energy

mini bottles

Otherwise, just I just use a small Nalgene with screw cap.

bojibob: "Krusteaz Buttermilk. Just add Water. Once you try them you will never buy anything else.










Krusteaz "

+1 on Krusteaz. I’ve tried multiple brands now and Krusteaz is better than the rest. God only knows what the ingredients are. I don’t even want to look. But as far as “add only water” goes, these are your best option. Nothing holds a candle to Martha Stewart’s made-from-scratch buttermilk pancake recipe but there’s nothing better for the B’Dub than Krusteaz.