Pancakes anyone ?

Who doesn't love pancakes ?
I make alot of pancakes, especially for my children. I like that they freeze perfectly and are a perfect healthy snack when made right. I make big batches when its pancake day, then freeze them for easy access.  What I also like about pancakes is that they are so versatile, you can add any fruit, use any flour, pretty much add anything you want to them.  You can make them sweet, savory healthy and just plain ol' yummy !

• Try adding fresh or frozen diced fruit to your pancake batter or try dropping it onto your cooking pancake on the uncooked side, so when you flip it the fruit will show through on the other side.
• Experiment with toppings, use warm applesauce, powdered sugar, drizzle honey, or try using fresh fruit instead of syrups.
• To make your pancakes healthier, try substituting the flour for whole wheat instead of white, or add in 1/2 cup or oats or bran for added fiber.
• Cut the sugar in half in your recipes, you really don't need that much, especially when using a sweet topping.
• To add a natural sweetness, add grated apple, pear, carrot, sweet potato, or any fresh fruit instead of sugars, it makes for a healthierer pancake

Below are my families best requested pancakes for breakfast, I always have some on hand either in the fridge or frozen for a quick easy breakfast or snack.


Apple cinnamon Pancakes

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cups milk
1 eggs
3/4 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
1/2 cup grated apple

Combine all ingredients together until mixed, do not over mix, let sit for 10 mins before pouring onto hot griddle.  Add some oil to your skillet and cook on medium to low heat for 6 mins or so or until browned nicely flip and do the same until cooked through, these pancakes are a bit dense, so you want to cook on a lower heat to cook through, on a higher heat will burn the outside and under cook the inside.  Serve with warmed applesauce, maple syrup, powdered sugar or a fresh apple topping.
* Sometimes if I am out of apple I use pear in place of grated apple.


Banana Pancakes with Strawberry topping

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 tablespoon white sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 egg, beaten

1 cup milk

1 tbsp vanilla

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 ripe bananas, mashed

Combine all ingredients together until mixed thoroughly, do not over mix.

Heat skillet to medium heat, add a bit of oil and pour into pan, cook for about 4 - 6 mins on one side then flip and continue to cook til done. Serve with fresh bananas, maple syrup, strawberry topping, or powdered sugar.

Fresh Strawberry topping

2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries cut up

1 tbsp water

1/2 cup sugar

Add all ingredients into sauce pan and cook on medium - high heat, bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer, and continue to cook for 10 - 15 mins, or just until sauce thickens and reduces to a nice syrup, serve warm or ice cream, pancakes or anything else to make a yummy fresh quick topping.

* Sometimes if I am out of apple I use pear in place of grated apple.

You can do this with blueberries, raspberries, just about any fruit you want.

Carrot cake pancakes

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat

1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon nutmeg, cinnamon and ground ginger
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups  grated carrot

Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix thoroughly, do not over mix.
Let sit for 10 mins before cooking.
Heat skillet to medium heat, adding a bit of oil, pour into skillet and cook 3 - 5 mins on each side. Serve with maple syrup, warmed apple sauce, or powdered sugar or drizzle honey for a touch of elegance.

* I love these pancakes, i love how healthy they are for my family, sometimes I substitute the carrot for sweet potato, squash or pumpkin for added veggie for my girls. They love it and have no idea they are eating sweet potato or pumpkin pancakes :)  These freeze very well.


Try experimenting with pancakes for your next breakfast, you won't be sorry, i hope you enjoyed these 3 recipes, and try making your own very soon. Enjoy !

Love Sierra