Beer Griddle Cakes

Combine the bread crumbs and beer, and let stand for about 10 minutes. In a large mixing bowl combine eggs, oil and cream, and mix well. Sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt, and add to egg mixture along with beer mixture, alternately in thirds. Preheat an electric griddle to 390F (or if you use an old-fashioned iron griddle, heat it until a few drops of sprinkled water sizzle and disappear in a few seconds). Grease lightly, and drop the batter onto the griddle 1/4 cup at a time. When medium brown on bottom and dull biege on top, turn them over and brown other side. Serve with generous pats of sweet butter and hot maple syrup.