Preston County Raised Buckwheat Cakes

This is the original recipe which has been used for decades in our area. Many households had this every morning for breakfast served with sausage, bacon, eggs, sausage gravy, and maple syrup as toppings. Apple butter is also very good. Most people spread butter on each layer before eating as well. These are NOT called pancakes and are not nearly as thick as pancakes when prepared properly, the batter should be thin enough to spread out on its own to about a 7-8 inch circle without using the ladle to spread. Most people use a large measuring cup with a spout or a pitcher with a spout to pour them out onto the griddle. Traditionally a piece of pork fat skewered onto a fork was used to grease the griddle before each cake was baked. A well seasoned cast iron griddle is the only way I have found to successfully make these. Save at least a cup of the batter to save as a starter for the next batch (this will give a sour taste--sort of like sourdough) to the next batch you fix and is most excellent IMHO. Hope you enjoy. Prep time includes overnight rising time

• Ready In: 9 hrs 10 mins
• Serves: 2-4
• Yields: 8-12 cakes

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 ounce dried yeast (or 1 cake fleishmanns fresh yeast)
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  quart water (lukewarm)
• 3  cups buckwheat flour

• When ready to bake

• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder (not in original recipe) (optional)
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 2  teaspoons sugar
• 1  cup hot water (or half milk and water)

• To renew

• 1  pint warm water (lukewarm)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup buckwheat flour (to make a stiff batter)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix 1 cake Fleishman's Yeast or 1 envelope dry yeast and 1 teaspoon salt into one quart lukewarm water. Let stand a few minutes and then add 3 cups, or enough buckwheat flour to make a stiff batter, (may use 2 1/2 cups buckwheat flour and 1/2 cup all purpose flour). Cover and let stand overnight (or at least 4 or 5 hours).
2. When ready to bake the cakes, dissolve 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 2 teaspoons sugar in 1 cup hot water (may use 1/2 cup milk). Stir into batter, then add about 1 cup or enough warm water to make a thin batter. Bake on a hot, (I use med/high on my electric stove) greased griddle. Use a long thin metal turner to lift edges and check bottom, it should be golden brown and bubbles should form on top, flip a cook on other side till done.
3. We usually serve stacks of 2-4 cakes each.
4. Save at least 1 cup of the batter for the next baking. (It will keep in the refrigerator for about a week) To renew, add 1 pint lukewarm water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and enough Buckwheat flour to make a stiff batter. Cover and let stand overnight (or at least 4 - 5 hours).