Ever cook breakfast for a CROWD? For several good reasons, pancakes are often a GO-TO for crowd-type breakfasts. So, what if I told you there’s a way to do pancakes for oodles of people that doesn’t require any babysitting the griddle?

Some of you savvy Cook’n cooks may already know this cooking-for-a-crowd secret (and if so, would you take a minute and say so in the comments below?) But for you folks that have no idea as to what I’m talkin’ about, read on for one brilliant idea!

While this technique may be all over the Pinterest world, I first saw it on a favorite website, www.nordicware.com. (I go there often, not just to peruse their fabulous bakeware, but also for their recipes. Their test kitchen is tops.)

SO, if you don’t want to babysit the griddle when making breakfast for your crowd, make your pancakes on sheet pans! Is that not a clever idea?

The pros at Nordicware say “To the battered-up sheet pan, customize your creations by adding your favorite toppings such as fruit, chocolate chips, peanut butter and even bacon. Cut into squares and serve with maple and other lovely syrups. The options are endless!”

All you do is prep your favorite pancake recipe; the amount is according to how many you’re feeding and the size of your sheet pans. You want enough batter per pan to cover the pan at about ¼-inch thick.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Then be sure to butter your pans well. The Nordic guys say you can also use parchment paper.

Once your batter is made, divide it evenly into the prepared baking sheets and smooth into even layers. From here you add any desired toppings. For instance:

• sliced strawberries and chocolate chips
• sliced bananas and blueberries
• swirl in peanut butter into pancake batter with fruit topping
• well-drained crushed pineapple
• pre-cooked bacon pieces

Place sheets in the oven and bake until the pancakes are lightly golden in color and spring back when touched, about 10-15 minutes.

Cool in pan for 5-10 minutes and carefully cut into squares for serving (a plastic spatula with a straight edge works best. The Nordicware folks never recommend cutting with knife in the pan). Top with warmed maple syrup or dust with powdered sugar or cinnamon if desired. Like any pancake, these can easily be stored in the freezer. Just cut into squares and freeze for later!

What do ya think? Smart idea? And with family reunion season approaching, this is another good trick to have in our savvy Cook’n arsenal! Less time babysitting the griddle and more time for hugging the grandbabies!