A pancake mold is a kitchen tool which is designed to create pancakes in specific shapes. Pancake molds are essentially like cookie cutters, except that they are intended to be used in the skillet or on the griddle, so they are treated to be heat-resistant. Using a pancake mold, it is possible to come up with all sorts of shaped pancakes, from hearts to roosters. Pancake molds are typically available in kitchen supply stores, and they can also be ordered from specialty suppliers.
People of all ages like pancakes in fanciful shapes, and using a pancake mold is much easier than trying to control the way the batter is poured onto the griddle. Shaped pancakes can be served exactly like normal pancakes, with various toppings such as butter, fruit, and syrup. In addition to being fun to eat, shaped pancakes also have a very consistent size, which makes them easier to cook and to distribute in a group.
To use a pancake mold, cooks place the mold in a skillet or on the griddle after oiling the cooking surface and the mold, and then pancake batter is ladled into the mold. After the batter is cooked through on one side, the mold can be removed, allowing the pancake to be flipped. Some pancake molds are designed to be cooked on both sides, with cooks flipping the pancake and mold together, keeping the shape even crisper. The end result is a pancake cooked in the shape of the mold.
Because pancake molds are designed to be used in a hot pan, they are made from materials which can handle heat. Many pancake molds are made from various metals, often with cool-touch handles which allow cooks to remove the molds easily. Metal molds will need to be oiled before use to ensure that the batter does not stick. It is also possible to find silicone pancake molds, which do not need to be oiled.
Most pancake molds are designed to produce pancakes of a reasonably large size, and they often come in coordinating sets. It is possible to find hearts, animals, fruits, and other fanciful shapes, and you can also use cookie cutters as pancake molds for smaller shaped pancakes. If you decide to use cookie cutters, make sure that they will be able to handle the heat of the cooking surface; avoid plastic cookie cutters, and try to use cookie cutters with handles. You can also use a crumpet ring as a pancake mold.