Creating the perfect pancake is both a science and an art form. Mix the ingredients too long and the batter starts to run on the griddle. Flip the flapjack too late and the cake can lose its golden-brown finish. Overload the stack with toppings and the hotcakes becomes a soggy mess of molten maple sugar. Yes, the road to mastering one of the world’s most beloved comfort foods is paved with the careful measuring of ingredients and more than a touch of baker’s intuition.