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Hotcake vs. Pancake — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 8, 2023
Hotcakes and pancakes are interchangeable to describe a flat, round cake made from batter and cooked on a griddle or frying pan. "Hotcake" is more commonly used in certain regions, like the American South, while "Pancake" is more universally understood.
Hotcake vs. Pancake — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Hotcake and Pancake

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Key Differences

A hotcake is essentially a flat, round breakfast food made from a batter containing ingredients like flour, eggs, and milk. This batter is then poured onto a hot griddle or frying pan and cooked until both sides are golden brown. Similarly, a pancake is made of the same ingredients and cooked in the same manner. The two terms are so similar that they are often used interchangeably, especially in recipes or when describing this popular breakfast item.
That said, the term "hotcake" is often regionally specific. In the United States, particularly in the South, you are more likely to hear the term "hotcake." Pancake, on the other hand, is more universally used and is the term more commonly seen in cookbooks and restaurants. Both hotcakes and pancakes can come in a variety of flavors and styles, depending on the ingredients used and how they are prepared.
Hotcakes can also have other names depending on cultural or regional differences, such as "flapjack" in some parts of the U.S. Pancakes, too, have their international variants like "crêpes" in France, which are much thinner than the American version. However, no matter the name, the basic concept remains the same: a flat, round cake made from batter and cooked to perfection.
Interestingly, the term "hotcake" is also used in the idiomatic expression "selling like hotcakes," indicating that something is very popular or selling very quickly. The term "pancake," on the other hand, doesn't have this idiomatic use but has more culinary variations documented in cooking literature worldwide.

Comparison Chart

General Definition

Flat, round cake
Flat, round cake
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Regional Usage

More common in the U.S. South
More universally used

Idiomatic Use

"Selling like hotcakes"
None

Variations

Fewer documented
More variations globally

Cultural Equivalents

Often called flapjacks
Known as crêpes in France

Compare with Definitions

Hotcake

A hotcake is a flat, round breakfast dish made from a flour-based batter.
She cooked hotcakes for breakfast this morning.

Pancake

A pancake is a flat, round dish often enjoyed for breakfast.
I had pancakes with maple syrup today.

Hotcake

A hotcake is often served with toppings like syrup, fruit, or whipped cream.
I like my hotcakes with fresh blueberries.

Pancake

A pancake may include ingredients like buttermilk for flavor and texture.
These buttermilk pancakes are so fluffy!

Hotcake

A hotcake can be thick or thin depending on the recipe used.
The hotcakes at this restaurant are surprisingly thin.

Pancake

A pancake can come in international variants, such as the French crêpe.
French crêpes are a thinner version of pancakes.

Hotcake

A hotcake can be part of a larger breakfast spread, often accompanying eggs and bacon.
We had hotcakes, scrambled eggs, and sausages for breakfast.

Pancake

A pancake is generally cooked until bubbles form on the surface.
Flip the pancake when you see bubbles forming on top.

Hotcake

A hotcake can be made with different types of flour, such as whole wheat or cornmeal.
These cornmeal hotcakes are delicious.

Pancake

A pancake can have various fillings, such as blueberries or chocolate chips.
I ordered chocolate chip pancakes for dessert.

Hotcake

See pancake.

Pancake

A pancake (or hotcake, griddlecake, or flapjack, not to be confused with oat bar flapjacks) is a flat cake, often thin and round, prepared from a starch-based batter that may contain eggs, milk and butter and cooked on a hot surface such as a griddle or frying pan, often frying with oil or butter. Archaeological evidence suggests that pancakes were probably the earliest and most widespread cereal food eaten in prehistoric societies.The pancake's shape and structure varies worldwide.

Hotcake

(North America) A pancake.
For breakfast he ordered a stack of hotcakes with butter and syrup.

Pancake

A thin, flat cake of batter, fried on both sides in a pan and typically rolled up with a sweet or savoury filling
Crispy pancakes filled with cheese
Pancake batter

Hotcake

A flat cake of thin batter fried on both sides on a griddle

Pancake

Make-up consisting of a flat solid layer of compressed powder, used especially in the theatre.

Pancake

(with reference to an aircraft) make or cause to make a pancake landing
The plane landed, pancaking down on the runway

Pancake

Flatten or become flattened
Hurley's car was pancaked

Pancake

A thin cake made of batter that is poured onto a hot greased surface and cooked on both sides until brown. Also called flannel cake, flapjack, griddle cake, hotcake; also called regionally battercake.

Pancake

To cause (an aircraft) to make a pancake landing.

Pancake

To make a pancake landing.

Pancake

To fall flat to the ground with great force, especially to collapse in such a way that higher floors or structures fall directly on the ones beneath.

Pancake

A thin batter cake fried in a pan or on a griddle in oil or butter; in particular:

Pancake

In England, an often unleavened cake similar to a crepe.

Pancake

In the US (and e.g. Scotland), a leavened, thicker, fluffier cake.

Pancake

(theater) A kind of makeup, consisting of a thick layer of a compressed powder.

Pancake

(juggling) A type of throw, usually with a ring where the prop is thrown in such a way that it rotates round an axis of the diameter of the prop.

Pancake

Anything very thin and flat.
Pancake lens

Pancake

Composite leather made of scraps, glue and board, by extension of (4), material originally used for insoles, but later used also for heels and even soles.

Pancake

A box on which an actor stands to make them appear taller.

Pancake

(volleyball) A defensive play in which the ball bounces off the top of a hand that has been pressed flat against the floor.

Pancake

(intransitive) To make a pancake landing.

Pancake

To collapse one floor after another.

Pancake

(transitive) To flatten violently.

Pancake

A thin cake of batter fried in a pan or on a griddle; a griddlecake; a flapjack.

Pancake

A flat cake of thin batter fried on both sides on a griddle

Common Curiosities

Are Hotcakes and Pancakes the Same?

Generally, yes, hotcakes and pancakes refer to the same type of food but may differ regionally.

What is a Hotcake?

A hotcake is a flat, round breakfast food made from batter and cooked on a griddle or frying pan.

Can Hotcakes and Pancakes Have Different Flavors?

Yes, both hotcakes and pancakes can be made in various flavors and styles.

Is Hotcake a Regional Term?

Yes, "hotcake" is more commonly used in specific regions, like the American South.

What is the Idiomatic Use of Hotcake?

The phrase "selling like hotcakes" indicates something is very popular.

Is There an Idiomatic Use for Pancake?

No, "pancake" is not commonly used idiomatically.

Which Term is More Universal?

"Pancake" is more universally understood and used in cooking literature.

Can Hotcakes and Pancakes Be Savory?

Both can be made in savory variations, although this is less common.

Are There Cultural Variants of Hotcakes?

Yes, but they are often referred to by different names like "flapjacks" in some U.S. regions.

What is a Pancake?

A pancake is a similar flat, round dish made from batter, typically enjoyed for breakfast.

What About Cultural Variants of Pancakes?

Yes, like the French crêpes, which are thinner than typical American pancakes.

What Toppings Are Popular for Hotcakes?

Syrup, fruits, and whipped cream are popular hotcake toppings.

Can You Make Vegan Hotcakes and Pancakes?

Yes, both hotcakes and pancakes can be made in vegan variations using plant-based ingredients.

What Toppings Are Popular for Pancakes?

Similar to hotcakes, pancakes are often topped with syrup, fruits, and whipped cream.

Are Pancake Mixes and Hotcake Mixes the Same?

They are generally the same, though the term used may differ based on the brand or region.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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