Light and Fluffy Pancakes

This is the go-to recipe for pancakes in our house; it has been made a hundred times, I am sure. It is always tasty, but it is only Light and Fluffy when the recipe is exactly followed; the times I have substituted thinned yogurt for buttermilk, or not separated the egg, etc. it isn't quite as good. I guess that is why they do so much testing, step by step? Because it ensures success?? I don't always have the ingredients or patience (or skill, early morning).