I planned on making heart shaped pancakes for Valentine's day - is it ok to use aluminum foil as the mold for it? If so, how should I go about it?
You certainly can use aluminum foil to make a cookie cutter like mold. Tear off a long piece, and fold it lengthwise in 1/2 folds, until you have a long strip 1/2 wide. Form this into a circle, and crimp/fold the ends together (trial and error on this). Then, make the heart shape, place in the pan, and make your pancakes. Be sure to spray the aluminum foil each time you pour fresh batter. The pancakes might not come out perfectly shaped, but they will be pretty close. I once did the same thing, in order to make two small hearts on the top of a loaf of pumpkin bread.
No, a stove top produces hot points. Better to just shape the pancakes with the spatula.
It would make more sense to make a pancake and them cut them out with a heart shaped cookie cutter. I would not use foil on a burner...it will not turn out well. Good Luck
If you are using a frying pan on a gas stove - yes. I fold tin foil into a strongish ribbon then form the shape I want: hearts, gingerbread men, etc. Make sure the pan is fairly warm before you put the tin foil shape in remove the shape as soon as the pancake is set, but before you flip it. You can trim the little splashes before serving. HOWEVER - there are reusable shapes available at many kitchen supply stores. They are not very expensive are permanent additions to your kitchen.
