In the UK, flapjacks are sweet tray-baked bars made from oats, while pancakes are thin, flat cakes of batter, fried on both sides in a pan. However, in the US and Canada, the terms flapjack and pancake are used interchangeably to describe the same food item.
Key Takeaways
- Flapjacks in the UK are sweet, dense oat-based bars, while pancakes are thin, flat cakes made from batter.
- In the US and Canada, the terms flapjack and pancake both refer to thin, flat cakes made from batter.
- Ingredients for British flapjacks include oats, brown sugar, butter, and golden syrup, while ingredients for pancakes include flour, eggs, milk, butter, and a leavening agent.
What are Flapjacks?
Flapjacks in the UK are sweet, dense cakes made from oats, also known as oat bars, muesli bars, cereal bars, or granola bars. The basic ingredients for flapjacks include oats, brown sugar, butter, and golden syrup. They can be served as a sweet treat with tea or coffee or as a delicious snack and are very easy to make, taking only a short amount of time. However, in the US and Canada, the term flapjack is used to refer to pancakes.
What are Pancakes?
Pancakes are thin, flat cakes of batter, fried on both sides in a pan, also known as griddlecakes or hotcakes. The basic ingredients of a pancake batter include flour, eggs, milk, butter, and a leavening agent such as baking powder. This batter is then spread on a hot surface like a frying pan and cooked. Many people use sweet ingredients such as jam, sugar, maple syrup, honey, and fruits as toppings or fillings for pancakes, but some people also use savory fillings or toppings. Pancakes can be eaten for breakfast or as a dessert.
Ingredients used for pancakes, as well as their preparation, might vary according to different regions and cultures. There are many different types of pancakes, with different ingredients, such as crêpe, palatschinke (Central and Eastern Europe), dosa (Indian), and serabi (Indonesian). Historians believe that pancakes are one of the earliest and most widespread cereal-derived foods.
What is the Difference Between Flapjacks and Pancakes?
The key difference between flapjacks and pancakes is that, in the UK, flapjacks are sweet tray-baked bars made from oats, while pancakes are thin, flat cakes made of thin batter and cooked on both sides. However, in the US, flapjacks and pancakes are the same. British flapjacks are made with oats, brown sugar, butter, and golden syrup, while pancakes are made with flour, eggs, milk, butter, and a leavening agent. Pancakes often have various sweet fillings and toppings, while British flapjacks do not require any additional toppings or fillings since they are already sweet.
Summary – Flapjacks vs Pancakes
The difference between flapjacks and pancakes is mainly regional. In the UK, flapjacks and pancakes refer to two different types of food – flapjacks are sweet tray-baked bars made from oats, and pancakes are thin, flat cakes made from batter and cooked on both sides. In the US, flapjacks are another name for pancakes.
