Why is it when you buy pancake mix the ingredients say wheat flour but try to make them yourself says use plain flour?

You're right to be confused! It's a bit of a labeling quirk. Here's why pancake mix often lists "wheat flour" and homemade recipes usually call for "plain flour":

* "Plain flour" is the American term for "all-purpose flour." This type of flour is typically used for pancakes because it has a moderate protein content, resulting in a good balance of structure and tenderness.

* "Wheat flour" is a broad term. It could mean any type of flour made from wheat, including whole wheat, bread flour, or even specialty flours. In the context of pancake mix, "wheat flour" usually means all-purpose flour.

Here's the breakdown:

* Pancake mix companies: They use "wheat flour" on their labels because it's legally acceptable and familiar to most consumers. "Plain flour" might be confusing for some.

* Home cooks: They use "plain flour" because that's the standard term for all-purpose flour in recipes. It's assumed you know you're using the appropriate type of flour.

Essentially, both "wheat flour" and "plain flour" usually refer to all-purpose flour in the context of pancake mix and recipes. Don't let the different names confuse you!