Heat oven to 225 degrees F and place a large baking sheet inside.
Melt butter halfway in the bottom of a large bowl then whisk in sugar. Let it cool slightly before adding the egg.
Whisk in egg and vanilla, then ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons of the buttermilk.
Whisk in salt and baking soda until fully combined, then stir in flour until it just disappears. Adjust buttermilk if necessary.
Heat griddle or frying pan over medium. Add a pat of butter and dollop in small mounds of pancake batter.
Once bubbles form on top, check for lightly browned before flipping.
Reduce heat to medium-low for the remainder of the cooking time.
Once pancakes are golden brown on the second side, transfer them to the heated oven for 5 minutes.
