I have to revive this thread just to say that I tried many of your recipes and suggestions and I've picked a winner... for me and what I was looking to achieve.
Jon Sable said:
If you want to use a mix, try Krustez (buttermilk) which you can get at the CostClub. If you want them to shine, here are the adulterations ....
Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and a giant dollop of full fat sour cream.
These are amazingly fluffy and when made with salted butter on the griddle, really have that crisp, salty edge that I love. A guest said this weekend that it was "almost" as good as hers. That's the best compliment and I'll take it! (she also said that she makes her pancakes with Bailey's coffee creamer and it gives it a great flavor - that sounds interesting.)
You can see the sour cream & baking soda reacting the minute you start to stir. The bubbles come up and the mix rises. Yes, you have to work fast, but they are to die for!.