The Purposeful Homemaker

(Simple, forgiving, and perfect for your first try)

If you’re brand new to fresh milled flour, let me lovingly suggest this:
do not start with bread.

Bread is wonderful. Bread is nourishing. Bread is also emotional.

Pancakes, on the other hand, are kind. They’re flexible. They don’t mind if you’re still learning. And if something goes slightly wrong, syrup covers a multitude of sins.

This recipe is where I recommend almost everyone begin.

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Why Pancakes Are the Perfect First Recipe

Fresh milled flour behaves differently than store-bought flour, and pancakes are a great place to get familiar with that difference.

They:

• Don’t require long rise times
• Are forgiving with texture
• Let you see and feel the dough quickly
• Taste good even when imperfect

In other words—they build confidence.

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What You’ll Need

Ingredients

• 1 cup (120 g) fresh milled wheat flour
  (hard white wheat is especially beginner-friendly)
• 2 teaspoons sugar or honey
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk (or milk alternative)
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons melted butter or oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional, but lovely)

Equipment

• Grain mill
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk or spoon
• Measuring cups
• Skillet or griddle

Nothing fancy. Nothing intimidating.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mill Your Flour

Mill your wheat berries just before baking. Fresh flour will feel warmer and smell slightly sweet and nutty.

That smell? That’s how you know you’re doing it right.

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2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together:

• Fresh milled flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Fresh milled flour may look a little coarser than what you’re used to. That’s normal.

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3. Add the Wet Ingredients

Add:

• Milk
• Egg
• Melted butter or oil
• Vanilla

Stir just until combined. The batter should be thick but pourable.

If it feels too thick, add a splash of milk.
If it feels too thin, add a tablespoon of flour.

You’re in charge here.

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4. Let the Batter Rest (Important!)

Let the batter rest for 15 minutes.

This allows the fresh milled flour to absorb the liquid and soften. Don’t skip this step—it makes a noticeable difference.

This is a great time to heat the skillet… or rescue your coffee before it gets cold again.

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5. Cook the Pancakes

Heat a lightly greased skillet over medium heat.

Pour batter onto the skillet and cook until bubbles form on the surface. Flip and cook until golden brown.

Fresh milled pancakes may not get as fluffy as white-flour pancakes at first—and that’s okay. They’ll be hearty, filling, and nourishing.

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What to Expect the First Time

Let’s set realistic expectations.

Your pancakes may be:

• Slightly denser
• More filling
• A little more rustic

That’s not a failure—that’s fresh milled flour being itself.

Most people notice they stay full longer after eating these, which is one of the quiet benefits no one really advertises.

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Common Beginner Adjustments

If your pancakes feel:

• Too dense → Add a bit more liquid next time
• Too flat → Make sure your leavening is fresh
• Too hearty → Try mixing half fresh milled flour and half all-purpose flour

You’re allowed to adjust. This is learning, not a test. If you’re using a kitchen scale, 120 grams of fresh milled flour is a reliable starting point. Fresh milled flour can vary slightly depending on the grain and grind, so small adjustments are perfectly normal.

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Making This Fit Real Life

You don’t need to make these every morning. Sometimes we make a double batch and freeze extras. Most days we don’t have pancakes!

Purposeful homemaking isn’t about doing everything from scratch—it’s about choosing what nourishes your home when it makes sense.

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A Gentle Encouragement

If this is your first time baking with fresh milled flour, let this be simple.

No pressure.
No perfection.
No comparing your pancakes to anyone else’s.

Just try one recipe.
Notice how it feels.
Learn what you can.

That’s more than enough.

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What’s Coming Next

If you enjoyed this recipe, I’ll be sharing:

• A beginner sandwich bread
• Muffins that work well with fresh milled flour
• How to adapt favorite recipes
• Mistakes I made so you don’t have to

For now—enjoy your pancakes.
Even if they’re a little uneven. Especially then. 😊