Wild Maine Blueberry Pancakes

Wild Maine blueberries are smaller, more intense, and more aromatic than cultivated berries — and July through August, they transform the humble breakfast pancake into something genuinely regional and special. Maine produces more wild blueberries than anywhere else in the world, and these pancakes are the most beloved way to celebrate the harvest.

Serves: 4 (about 12 pancakes)

Ingredients

• 260g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp (25g) granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• 360ml (1½ cups) whole buttermilk, room temperature
• 120ml (½ cup) whole milk, room temperature
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten, room temperature
• 60g (4 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for the griddle
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 300g (2 cups) wild Maine blueberries (fresh or frozen; if frozen, do not thaw)
• Pure maple syrup and additional butter, to serve

Instructions

1. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla until combined.

2. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined — a few lumps are fine. Rest the batter 5 minutes (this allows the baking powder to activate and gives a lighter pancake).

3. Heat a cast-iron griddle or large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Brush lightly with butter. When a drop of water sizzles and skips on the surface, the griddle is ready.

4. For each pancake, ladle about 80ml (⅓ cup) of batter onto the griddle. Immediately scatter a small handful of blueberries over the surface. Cook until bubbles form and edges look set, 2–3 minutes.

5. Flip once and cook until the underside is golden and the pancake is cooked through, 1–2 minutes more. Keep warm in a 90°C (200°F) oven while cooking remaining batches.

6. Serve in stacks with generous amounts of cold butter and real Maine maple syrup.

Cook's Notes: Adding berries after pouring the batter (rather than mixing them in) prevents streaking and ensures even distribution. Wild blueberries from Maine are available frozen year-round and work beautifully. Do not press down on the pancakes after flipping — this deflates the rise.