Preheat a griddle or large frying pan over medium heat.
Grease lightly just enough to prevent pancakes from sticking.
In a medium-sized bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
Pour milk (use 1 cup for thick pancakes and 1 1/4 cups for thinner pancakes) into a 2-cup glass measure and stir in egg and butter; blend well.
Pour liquid all at once into dry ingredients; stir together just until all flour is moistened.
Pour batter, about 1/4 cup for each pancake, onto hot griddle; spread batter out to make a 5-inch circle.
Cook until bubbles form and just start to pop on top surface, and edges appear dry (left); turn pancake with a wide spatula to lightly brown other side (right).