PUMPKIN PANCAKES- Day 3 of Pumpkin Week

Fall is not complete until I enjoy a morning of pumpkin pancakes. There is something about waking up to the smell of cinnamon, maple syrup and pumpkin that takes you out of the everyday.

Some of you may or may not know that I was not always skilled in the pancake making department. However, now that I have the pancake process down, I simply can’t get enough of them. To me they will always be the most comforting breakfast and when you add pumpkin to the mix it doesn’t get much better.

For a second I would like you to imagine two different fall morning scenarios:

Scenario A:
You wake up on a chilly fall morning after hitting the snooze button five times. You rush to get ready, barely having time to think twice about what you are going to wear. You are out the door grabbing your coffee mug and a handful of cereal as you are out the door.


Scenario B:
You get up 20 minutes earlier than usual. You get ready at a relaxed pace. Head to the kitchen where you pull the pumpkin pancakes you made over the weekend out of the freezer. Pop them in the microwave for 20 seconds. Pour maple syrup over them and sit down to savor every bite. After enjoying that last bite you head out the door cheerfully with coffee mug in hand.

It may take some time for the night owls to work up to scenario B, but in my opinion sitting down to breakfast sets your day off on a whole different level. Give it a try and see for yourself.


Pumpkin Pancakes
Recipe source: Epicurious

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups whole milk
3/4 cup canned pure pumpkin
4 large eggs, separated
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:1) Whisk dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
2) Whisk milk, pumpkin, egg yolks, melted butter and vanilla in a separate bowl.
3) Add pumpkin mixture to dry mixture, batter will be thick.
4) With a standing or electric mixer, beat egg whites until stiff.
5) Fold into batter.
6) Over medium-high heat, pour batter by 1/3 cupfuls onto a greased skillet. Cook on one side until bubbles form. Flip and cook on other side for 1 minute longer.
7) Serve with maple syrup.


Tip: Serve your pancakes with flavored cinnamon/sugar butter.
Place 1 stick of butter, 1 tsp.cinnamon and 2 Tbsp of brown sugar in a bowl and blend with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy.