Preheat and Prepare: First things first, preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C Fan). This high heat is crucial for getting a good rise. Grease a 33cm x 23cm (approx. 9x13 inch) baking tray with butter and line it with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides to make lifting the pancake out easier later.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the plain flour, caster sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and salt. Mixing these thoroughly ensures an even rise and flavour.

Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl or a large measuring jug, whisk the room-temperature milk and eggs until they are well combined. Then, slowly drizzle in the slightly cooled melted butter and the vanilla extract, whisking continuously until everything is incorporated.

Mix the Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a whisk to combine them until they are *just* mixed. A few small lumps are perfectly fine! Over-mixing develops gluten and can lead to tough pancakes, a lesson I learned the hard way. For a deeper dive into the science, Serious Eats has a great article on pancake science.

Let it Rest: Let the batter rest for 5 minutes. This allows the flour to hydrate and the leavening agents to start working, which results in a fluffier texture. Don't skip this!

Pour and Top: Pour the rested batter into your prepared baking tray. I find that pouring from a jug helps get an even layer. Gently tilt the pan to spread the batter to the corners. Scatter your mixed berries and chocolate chips evenly over the surface.

Bake to Perfection: Place the tray in the centre of the preheated oven and bake for 13-15 minutes. You're looking for the pancake to be puffed up, golden brown, and a skewer inserted into the centre should come out clean.

Cool and Serve: Once baked, carefully lift the pancake out of the tray using the parchment paper overhang and place it on a wire cooling rack for a minute or two. This prevents the bottom from getting soggy. Slice into squares and serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup.