Let's Do Bruch

Many of us are sitting down to eat dinner as a family less often, so weekend brunches are the perfect opportunity to get everyone around the table and catch up on the week’s events. Make a pot of coffee and enjoy one of these gorgeous new recipes with your loved ones

Best ever fluffy American pancakes with berry-cherry syrup

For as long as I can remember, we’ve been making pancakes on a Saturday morning in my house – it’s become a calling that the weekend has arrived. Having whisked and flipped a fair few, I can confidently say these are my best-ever, thick, fluffy breakfast pancakes. I alternate the toppings depending on what’s in the fridge or freezer, but blueberries, bacon and maple syrup are firm favourites.

MAKES 12 (serves 2-4, depending on your appetite) PREP 10 mins COOK 30 mins EASY

350g self-raising flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp caster sugar, plus 2 tbsp

2 large eggs

150g buttermilk or plain yogurt

325ml milk

200g fresh or frozen blueberries

150g frozen or canned pitted cherries

1 tsp cornflour

1 vanilla pod, or 1 tsp bean paste or extract

200g thick-cut smoked streaky bacon flavourless oil, such as vegetable or sunflower, for frying

200g mascarpone maple syrup, to serve

1 Make the pancake batter up to a day ahead, or just before cooking. Tip the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and 2 tsp sugar into a bowl, add a good pinch of salt and combine with a whisk. Add the eggs, buttermilk or yogurt and milk to the bowl and whisk into a smooth batter. If making ahead, cover and chill until ready to cook.