Step 1: Prepare Your Cooking Surface

Start by heating your nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. This ensures it is hot and ready to cook the pancakes evenly. Once heated, lightly grease the surface with cooking spray or brush a little melted butter to prevent sticking and give pancakes a golden crust.

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Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine your dry ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon regular sugar
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon salt

Mix these well using a whisk or fork. The pumpkin pie spice contains fragrant cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, giving your pancakes that characteristic warm fall flavor.

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Step 3: Whisk Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, add your wet ingredients:

• ½ cup pumpkin puree (make sure it is plain pumpkin puree, not pie filling)
• 1 egg (crack separately into a small bowl first to avoid shells)
• ½ cup evaporated milk
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• About ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional but recommended for added flavor)

Whisk these ingredients together until smooth and combined. The evaporated milk gives a richer texture and taste, but you can substitute regular milk (adjust water accordingly).

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Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Stir gently, just until all the flour mixture is moistened. The batter will be slightly thick but still pourable. If it feels too thick, you can add a splash more water to loosen it slightly.

Avoid overmixing to keep your pancakes tender and fluffy. It’s okay if there are a few lumps remaining.

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Step 5: Cooking Your Pumpkin Pancakes

With your skillet hot and greased, use a ¼ cup measuring cup to pour batter onto the surface, making evenly sized pancakes. Aim for about 3 to 4 pancakes per batch depending on your pan size.

Cook on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until bubbles start forming on the top and the edges look set. Then carefully flip the pancakes using a spatula.

Cook the other side for another 2 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with the rest of the batter, greasing the pan lightly between batches if necessary.

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Step 6: Serving Suggestions

Stack your pumpkin pancakes on a plate, and warm them for a few moments if needed. Top with real maple syrup, whipped cream, or even a dusting of powdered sugar. For extra autumn flavor, add toasted pecans or a dollop of cinnamon butter.