This recipe for Fluffy Seltzer Water Pancakes with Quick Spiced Maple-Pear Compote makes a lovely festive brunch that comes together in less than 30 minutes.
In my family, Thanksgiving Day eats are special from the very beginning. Dinner is served around 5 or 6pm, so we usually sit down to brunch mid-morning. Brunch is special, but always quick to make because of course dinner is the main event.
Sometimes a breakfast casserole will be on the brunch menu, like Cinnamon Bun Bread Pudding. Or sometimes eggs with toast and homemade Apple-Onion Chicken Breakfast Sausage. We’ve also had “Everything” Cheese Pastries with a quick fruit salad. But pancakes or waffles always seem to be everyone’s favorite.
Pancakes occasionally get decked out with add-ins like chocolate chips, blueberries, or coconut flakes, or flavored of pumpkin spice or gingerbread. Other times, we just want a really great light and fluffy pancake recipe that can serve as a blank slate for topping with something special, like a quick homemade fruit compote.
This pancake recipe yields light and fluffy pancakes every time. There are a couple tricks, but they’re easy ones, I promise. First of all, be sure not to over-mix! That is the cardinal rule that people break when making pancakes. And secondly, don’t skip the seltzer! You want the bubbles here.
In this recipe I used Vintage® Seltzer, which is free of calories, sugar, fat, and sodium. It’s great for when you just want a little bubbly, even for cooking. I picked up a 12 pack of Vintage® Seltzer cans, which are convenient size for baking and cooking, and of course whipping up a festive mocktail as well. I found it in the beverage aisle that carries bottled and flavored water from my local grocery store; you can use the store locator to find where it’s sold near you. And you can head over to this page if you’d like a coupon.
Do you have a go-to holiday brunch item or do you switch up the menu every year?
- 2 medium firm pears, quartered, cored, and thinly sliced (I used Seckel pears)
- ½ cup (120 ml) water
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons golden raisins (sultanas)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¾ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice mix
- 1 pinch salt
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk (I used 1%)
- 1½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (128 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (120 ml) Vintage® Seltzer Original flavor
- For the compote, add the pears, water, maple syrup, raisins, butter, spice mix, and salt to a medium-sized skillet over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook (uncovered), until the pears are tender and the liquid is syrupy, about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the vanilla and set aside.
- Meanwhile, make the pancakes. Put the milk in a medium bowl and sprinkle the vinegar on top. Let it sit 3 minutes to curdle, and then whisk in the egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk the milk mixture and the seltzer into the dry ingredients, being careful not to over-mix (a few lumps are fine and you don’t want to mix out all the bubbles).
- Preheat a griddle over medium heat. Once hot, scoop a slightly scant ¼ cup of batter onto the griddle and cook until golden on both sides, about 2 minutes per side, flipping once. Transfer the pancakes to a parchment lined baking sheet and cover with a clean kitchen towel to keep warm while you cook the remaining batter the same way.
- Serve the pancakes warm with the pear compote on top.
Follow Vintage Seltzer on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram, and tag @DrinkVintage on Instagram to receive a $1 off coupon!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
What lovely pancakes, the pear compote is irresistible!
I’ve never heard of using seltzer water in pancakes – such a fun idea. And this compote, Faith!! It has my mouth watering. This looks like the perfect breakfast…
This recipe is so creative! That compote looks to die for!
These pancakes look delicious, and I love that pear compote! :) And I have never used seltzer water in my pancake batter! I might have to try that little trick next time.
I have never had seltzer water pancakes – I can’t wait to try this recipe out, so exciting!!
I can only imagine how gloriously fluffy these must be! I love that effect seltzer has!
These sound so yummy! What a fun Thanksgiving brunch tradition too!
What a gorgeous idea for fall pancakes!
I’m loving your seltzer pancake hack and that compote! DIVINE! Keep the goodness coming Faith! <3
A lovely breakfast treat! I really love that quick pear compote.
Cheers,
Rosa