Strawberry and Sprinkles Buttermilk Pancakes

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
pinch salt, optional
1 cup buttermilk + splash more, if necessary
1 large egg
2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
about 1 cup roughly chopped strawberries (I use frozen and if using frozen, keep them frozen; substitute with fresh berries or alternate fruits) + additional for ganishing
about 1/3 cup sprinkles+, divided

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, add flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, optional salt, and whisk to combine; set bowl aside.
2. In a large measuring cup, add 1 cup buttermilk, egg, oil, vanilla, and whisk to combine. Pour wet ingredients over dry, and mix until just moistened. Don't overmix! Lumpy batter is what you're looking for and it'll be quite thick. If it seems too thick for your liking, add an additional splash of buttermilk (1 to 3 tablespoons). I used 1 cup plus about 2 tablespoons.
3. Spray a large, non-stick skillet with cooking spray, and heat over medium-low to medium heat. Once skillet it hot, using a one-quarter cup measure, scoop batter into skillet. I make 3 pancakes at once. Sprinkle on about a dozen strawberries pieces to each pancake. Cook first side for about 3 minutes, or until underneath is golden and set (the tip about bubbles appearing in the pancakes when it's time to flip wasn't my experience and with strawberries covering a large surface area, even harder to see any bubbles; don't wait for them to appear).
4. Right before you're ready to flip the pancake over to cook the second side, sprinkle generously with sprinkles, at least 2 tablespoons per pancake. Flip carefully and cook second side until done and golden, about 3 minutes. Repeat process with remaining batter. Serve pancakes immediately with butter, jam, syrup, confectioners sugar, Strawberry Butter, Vanilla Maple Butter or your favorite pancake topping.
5. Batch can be doubled or tripled and extra pancakes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the toaster, microwave, or over low heat in a skillet.
6. Optional variations and substitutions - Use blueberries, blackberries, mixed berry blends, peaches, nectarines, mangoes; stir in 1/2 cup shredded coconut flakes or roughly chopped chocolate or chocolate chips to the batter.