Boxed pancake mix is one of those lies we tell ourselves to save time, like “I’ll just have one beer.” Truth is, pancakes from scratch take about five extra minutes, and you’re worth those five minutes. Buttermilk, eggs, flour, baking powder—nothing exotic, just real ingredients that actually taste like food. The mix is convenient, sure, but so is microwaving a frozen burrito, and you don’t brag about that. These pancakes come out tender, golden, and just tangy enough to remind you you’re alive. Skip the box, take the credit. You made breakfast. That matters more than you think.