Sunrise Sweetness Pancakes

       Created by Barry Robertson in collaboration with Sea to Summit Australia.

Make everyone a happy camper with this breakfast favorite.

The thought of waking to a pancake breakfast out in the open is truly the stuff of dreams. Unfortunately, for many campers, the reality can be something of a nightmare, one from which they awake only as they are scraping the last of the burnt batter from the uncooperative surface of a less-than-stellar camp frying pan.

No worries. Not only have we got a simple-to-prepare recipe for you, but we also have the perfect pan for flipping pancakes and the perfect bowls and plates in which to serve breakfast to your family, your mates, or your partner (who will probably appreciate a cup of coffee brought over to the tent in a double-walled insulated mug, too).

Here's what you need:

Ingredients

• Just-add-water pancake mix
• There are some excellent pre-made mixes on the market, which require only the addition of water. If you use a mix like this, make sure to transport it in a sealed container to prevent the dry ingredients absorbing liquids from spills which can happen when transporting camp food. Make sure to take the packaging on your camping trip with you, as it will have directions…

OR

• Make your own pancake mix at home
• 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour 

• ¾ cup powdered milk 

• ¼ cup sugar (optional - we prefer sugar-free pancakes that can be sweetened using honey (or even maple syrup). 

• 2 tablespoons baking powder 

• 1 tablespoon baking soda 

• 1 ½ teaspoon salt 

Equipment

• Passage Plates
• Passage Cup
• Passage Insulated Mug (for coffee)
• Passage Cutlery
• Passage Large Bowl
• Frontier Ultralight Pan
• Folding Spatula
• Sealable containers or ziploc bags

Method

• If you are using a commercial mix - add the quantity of water listed on the packaging to the mix in the large Passage bowl (add the water to the mix and stir/whisk with a fork as you do this)
• If you are using homemade pancake mix - add ¾ of a cup of water to each 1 cup of dried mix (add the water to the mix and stir/whisk with a fork)
• Tip: If you are static camping and can easily transport bananas, mash a banana into the pancake mix as you re-constitute it. This will add texture to the batter. 

1. Add oil or butter to the pan and heat up over a stove set to medium setting. 

• Note: The Frontier Pan is not suitable for use over an open fire
• If you are using butter, be aware that it will burn at a lower temperature than some oils – it is best to use a lower heat setting until you find the right temperature. 

2. Use the Passage Cup to scoop ¼ to ⅓ of a cup of the batter and drop it onto the cooking surface of the pan

3. Let the pancake (or pancakes) cook until you see bubbles forming on the upper surface 

• The Frontier Pan is made of high quality aluminum alloy, which spreads heat quickly and evenly. It also has a ceramic non-stick finish which means your pancakes are not going to stick and burn).

4. Now you’re ready to flip the pancake. This is the point where poor-quality camp cookware sometimes goes disastrously wrong. No worries – you have a Click-Safe handle that you can grip firmly – and the handle will not become detached when you invert your precious breakfast). 

5. Slide the Spatula under each pancake and turn them over with a quick, decisive movement

• Unlike some modestly dimensioned camp cooking utensils, the blade of the Folding Spatula is perfectly sized for this
• Do not use the Passage Cutlery for cooking – the polypropylene material has a lower melting point than the nylon of the Folding Spatula, and may well melt

6. When the pancake is golden brown on both sides, transfer it to a Passage Bowl 

• Expert tip – stand the Passage Bowl in a Passage Plate containing a small amount of hot water – the Bowl will keep the pancakes hot, and the water will not damage the Bowl or Plate even if you were to use boiling water) 

When all pancakes are cooked, drizzle a generous helping of honey over your warm, fluffy stack of pancakes . 

Sprinkle a handful of nuts over your pancakes for a delightful crunch. Almonds, walnuts or pecans work wonderfully, adding a touch of protein and texture. 

Lastly, add some dried fruit. These provide bursts of flavour and natural sugars to help fuel your journey. 

If you are camping with your partner, this is the time to pour some coffee (made using the Frontier Pour-Over) into the double-walled insulated mug, and carefully carry breakfast over to the tent… 

Expert Tips

• Think about clean-up while you are preparing your meal. Take a moment to add some water and a little biodegradable soap to the frying pan as soon as you have served up the last pancake. The polypropylene surfaces of the tableware are easy to clean – just use a biodegradable soap and the soft side of a dishwashing sponge 
• Dispose of any wastewater in accordance with Leave No Trace principles, at least 70 paces | 70 metres away from the closest water source (river, stream or lake)