Buy Krustez waffle mix...follow the directions, add a little sugar and vanilla extract. If the batter is too thick, add a little extra water

Maybe it's not your batter, but your skillet temp isn't hot enough.

Sometimes it takes a different skillet. I like using my electric skillet for lots of fried things. Yes, I use Krutez pancake mix. I can just make up a couple of pancakes for myself that way. Used to make them from scratch but don't anymore for the most part. Oh, my skillet is the stainless steel Revere ware one.

Sue

Easy step by step for pancakes from scratch. With directions for how to tell if pan is correct temp.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: How to make pancakes

cooks illustrated just had an issue w/ buttermilk pancakes. i linked up the issue, it has videos and scientific analysis of making and cooking buttermilk pancakes. i love their magazine because they really go indepth on the science of cooking & the how and why's. ~ liz

Here is a link that might be useful: cooks illustrated buttermilk pancakes

Here's Pioneer Woman's way with step by step picutes

Here is a link that might be useful: Pioneer Woman's perfect pancake

i use bisquick and instead of water, i sub milk and make it a thinner consistancey.

do the pan test first. drop water on the pan. if it skids and sizzles your pan is hot enough. i use a little butter and often add a bit more between batches. if your pancake turner seems like it's sticking, spay it with a bit of pam. make sure the first side completely bubbles before turning. remember silver dollar sized are easier to turn than oversized...

Your batter looks a little thick, just a little. The pan should be hot enough for a drop of water to sizzle on it. Do not flip the pancake till the little bubbles have formed on the top of the pancake and pop for the most part.
Warm syrup makes a huge difference in flavor. And I find that pancakes made from scratch taste the best.

I usually buy the "complete" mixes - just add water and have good luck using them. Add a little more oil when making waffles. It's not difficult to make pancakes from scratch, but it seems I never have baking powder or some ingredient I need. Lately I've been getting Hungry Jack or the local store brand but I don't make that many pancakes anymore. I bought a box though because I had a coffeecake recipe I wanted to try that used pancake mix. Thought it sounded simple and good.

There's a local restaurant that has the most unusual pancakes. They're truly plate sized and hang over a big dinner plate. You don't order a "stack" of these! They're about 1" thick too so they're probably 11" in diameter or maybe a bit more. But they're sort of dense and fluffy inside too, hard to describe but they're great. Too bad they only have that imitation maple syrup to go with them. I'm thinking I'll bring my own syrup next time.

Many places suggest that you make your batter and leave it in the frig overnight for best results. Never tried it, though but as I said I don't make pancakes very often anymore.

Here's the best tip you're going to get. Mix up your batter (can be a mix or homemade--which ever is your preference) using 3 cups of flour or pancake mix. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Line a 10 X 15" jelly roll pan with parchment or foil. Spray with cooking spray. Spread the batter evenly in the pan--it will be a very thin layer. Bake 12-15 minutes or until pancake is puffed and springs back when lightly tapped with a finger. Remove pan from oven, cut into squares and serve. Easiest way to make pancakes, you don't have to stand over a hot skillet, all the pancakes are done at the same time, and they're healthier because they aren't fried. You can save any leftovers, and heat them up in the toaster the next day.

Cynic, my Grandma used to make her pancakes like that, they were so big they filled up her cast iron skillet. A good memory.

Sue

My secret is a small amount of apple sauce in the batter.
I use hungry Jack complete, add about a heaping TB of apple sauce after I have mixed the pancake mix. Let the mix sit a few minutes and swell up. Then another good idea is use a griddle or a electric skillet. When I got my cooktop stove I couldn't cook eggs or pancakes, its that uneven heat then won't let it cook right. Good luck!

Buy the frozen pancakes in the blue box at Walmart.very good and no mess.

I can so relate to this.. My pancakes NEVER came out right.. would get so frustrated..what can be so hard about pancakes !!! At the time my daughter sold pampered chief, they had a griddle than sold for around 100.00.. I would not spend that kind of money on a griddle.. but my husband and daughter bought it for me as a gift.. and it is well worth it I use it all the time,and my pancakes come out perfect... so its not you it your pan or griddle, invest in a good one...

A small drop of water should sizzle right off - that way you know your pan is hot. Watch them carefully - they will brown quickly.

Mine burn before the inside is done.
azzalea, what is a jelly roll pan?

I have a cast iron skillet. Should I try that?

Pawprint--the pan you cook the sponge cake for a jelly roll in. It's sort of like a cookie sheet with sides (low ones, though--about 1" tall). The pans usually measure 10 X 15"

I have been a breakfast cook for around 25 years or more and I would say your problem is your pan is too hot. At the restaurant I work at now we use krusteaz and the customers really like it. I only mix up as much as I need so I dont follow the directions. I use a 350 degree grill. When your pancake bubbles and the bubbles start breaking good it is ready to flip over. When you touch the top and it isnt hard and crispy anymore but nice and soft you know it is done in the middle. I am from the dakotas and German from Russia and my mother who passed away a year ago used to make scrambled pancakes because there were 10 children to cook for. YOU put oil in the pan and when it is hot enough you pour in the batter to cover the bottom of the pan about an inch thick. Let it fry for a little bit or until nicely brown and then you take a wooden spoon or other spoon and start stirring and flipping the batter mostly stirring until the batter is all cooked. This is really easy to feed to little kids because you dont have to cut up their pancakes When my kids were little they just loved these they would ask for them for supper. In cookbooks they are someotimes called stirrum, in german we called them eia struddles, eia is egg but i dont know what struddles would be translated. the word eia the e is silent with a long I and a short a. My mother always said Krusteaz was the best store bought brand and I agree with her. At the restaurant I worked at before they said the batter only was good for 18 hours, but anyway I just thought this would be a good way for you to make your pancakes. Just remember to lower your heat though. GOOD LUCK

Sure this won't help, but I've always been told is to let the batter rest before using.