In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these together until well combined and there are no lumps.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract (if using). Make sure the butter isn’t too hot to avoid cooking the egg!
Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a whisk, gently mix until just combined. It’s okay if there are a few lumps; over-mixing can lead to tough pancakes.
Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a small amount of butter to grease the surface.
Once the skillet is hot, pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the skillet. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes until golden brown.
Stack your pancakes on a plate and serve warm with your favorite toppings like maple syrup, fresh fruit, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Enjoy every fluffy bite!