Hotcakes

What is it?

Three golden-brown pancakes come in a hinged foam tray with a pat of whipped butter and a side of warm maple-flavored syrup. Cooked on the flat-top grill, they're round, soft, and a little spongy, with a fine, even crumb and a mild, lightly sweet flavor. As a McDonald's breakfast staple since the 1970s, this stack can be ordered on its own or with sausage. Compared with many diner portions, the serving is smaller and the texture more uniform. Syrup is corn syrup-based with maple flavoring, and the butter melts quickly over the warm surface.