Flapjacks vs. Pancakes: Are They the Same?

Pancakes are leavened, flat cakes made from a thin, flour-based batter and cooked on a griddle or frying pan. It is a popular breakfast food served in the US with maple syrup, often assembled into a stack. Many different countries have their own variations on savory or sweet pancakes, from French crepes to Korean jeon to Japanese okonomiyaki. British pancakes are thinner and have crispy edges, more closely resembling French crepes than American pancakes.

American pancakes are slightly thicker and made out of a batter of wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, milk, butter, and eggs. Hotcakes or griddle cakes are a variation on American pancakes that are slightly thicker and denser than typical pancakes. Pancakes that are made with cornmeal are called johnnycakes.

The word flapjack has different definitions in different countries. In the US, a flapjack is the same as a pancake in the US—a thin cake made from batter and grilled. It has become a regional colloquialism in certain areas of the US (especially the Southeast) to refer to pancakes. In the United Kingdom and Canada, a flapjack is a baked bar cut into slices or squares, similar to granola bars or oat bars. A British flapjack recipe will call for rolled oats, butter, and brown sugar. They are cut into bars or squares and are typically served with tea or for an on-the-go breakfast.

In the US, the terms flapjack and pancake are interchangeable; there is no difference between the two. Flapjack is a term that you will hear more often in the South, while you will see pancakes on more menus in the north (similar to the divide between stuffing and dressing). In the UK, however, pancakes and flapjacks are two different foods and there are significant differences between them.

• Ingredients: British flapjacks are made with rolled oats, butter, and brown sugar. Additional fillings like currants, dried fruit, nuts, coconut, or chocolate chips may also be added. The main ingredients in British pancake batter are flour, eggs, milk, and butter. Sometimes buttermilk is used to make a richer batter, and baking soda or baking powder can be included as leavening agents for thicker pancakes. Other ingredients can be included in the pancake batter, such as chocolate chips, berries, or lemon juice, as well as savory fillings such as potato, chives, or scallions.
  
• Cooking: British flapjacks are traybake bars that are cooked in an oven, while pancakes are made on a griddle pan or frying pan. This also means that pancakes cook much quicker than flapjacks.
• Serving: British flapjacks are typically not served with additional toppings because they resemble granola bars. British pancakes, however, can be served with fruit such as bananas or blueberries, golden syrup or maple syrup, or ice cream.

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