Light n’ Fluffy Pancakes

I’ve made these pancakes before but made them special instead. I’ve tried making healthier pancakes for my boyfriend on the weekends but he knows right away something isn’t kosher. He is like, “Babe, I just like buttermilk pancakes with syrup.” One weekend I made banana vegan pancakes and he didn’t quite enjoy them, which in turn I didn’t blog about because I really didn’t care for them either! They were very heavy and dense. Nothing like a buttermilk pancake that is light and fluffy like the recipe I’m going to share today. If you buy flour from Trader Joe’s this recipe is right on the bag! I cut it out and put it into my recipe binder for safe keeping.

You could use milk, buttermilk or a non-dairy alternative. I ended up not having buttermilk in the house but I did have a lemon to make my own buttermilk. Just half a lemon squeezed into 1 1/4 cups of milk and you will have buttermilk! I think it actually made the pancakes taste more fresh from the lemon juice, then the store bought buttermilk that is heavy and thick.

Light n’ Fluffy Pancakes From Trader Joe’s AP* Flour bag

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups AP flour

3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

1 1/4 cups butter milk or milk with half a lemon squeezed to make your own

1 egg

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Extra butter

Pure maple syrup

Directions

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter into the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot. Yields about 6-8 pancakes.

*AP= All-Purpose

When serving, put thin slices of butter between each pancake and drizzle on the real maple syrup

Make these pancakes this weekend for someone you love. And that includes yourself as well! ;) They or you will love them!

Mom, make these for dad when his birthday comes around. I’m sure that will impress him. ;)

Love,

Fallon

MMM Pancakes

Here is another Kodiak cake creation I have made. I added flax to the pancake mix and topped with vanilla almond butter and a fresh strawberry sauce. Nothing like ONE huge, fluffy pancake! I've been on a pancake kick lately and these totally hit the spot for that craving! The sauce is easy. Basically I took some fruit syrup that came with my Kodiak cakes, added fresh strawberries and heated it up on the stove. Easy! Here is to a GREAT start to the week. Fallon

Kodiak Cakes

Once again another post on breakfast. What can I say it is my favorite meal! I started training a week and a half ago for another 5k on May 1st. Race for the Cure! I'm pretty excited to be doing another 5k this year. It has been rough trying to focus on running and "making" myself run, but I'm setting goals and doing better then ever. Plus after a nice training run I always try to plan a real yummy breakfast! Makes me run just a little bit faster to get to that meal sooner. ;)


If it isn't french toast I want, then it is pancakes. Nothing like homemade pancakes. Just sometimes I don't feel like "fussing" and getting all the ingredients out and making a huge mess. I've been looking for a simple pancake/waffle mix but it had to be 100% whole wheat. Kind of a challenge you think, but it was actually really easy. I saw Kodiak Cakes pop up on several blogs like here and here. Can you say yum? I couldn't wait to order some for myself. 1 serving can make a huge pancake or 3-4 smaller ones for only 130 calories, 100% whole grain, and you just add water. I wanted to add so many toppings like fresh berries, greek yogurt, pure maple syrup and roasted cashews. Which I might add I've been addicted to cashews lately and that's all I want over say ALMOND BUTTER! Crazy huh? I don't know what it is about a roasted cashew but they are delicious.

Beautiful berries! Finally it is their season.

The pancakes came together beautifully. I cooked them in a lightly greased pan with extra virgin coconut oil. As soon as the cakes were bubbling I knew it was time to flip.  

Can you believe I was starting to take pictures and forgot the cashews? 

 

Now that's more like it. Mmm Cashews. ;)  

When breakfast looks this beautiful I can't help but enjoy every single bite. 

Licked that baby clean!

Until next time,
Fallon

Happy New Years!!!

I love this day. The last day before a new year begins. It couldn't be any better. I hope that in 2010 it will be a MUCH better year for everyone. Let's just stay healthy and happy. I think that what helps the most to get through tough times. Regardless of the other problems we have going on in this world, I try not to let it get to me. I don't usually make resolutions but goals instead. I've always been a goal getter, even if it takes me a while to achieve it, at least I won't give up. Some goals I've thought about for the year 2010 are:

• Run a 5k
• Continue being happy with myself and life
• Figure out what I want to do in life
• Stay focused on whatever I put my heart into and not give up

I feel like 2010 will be a big year for me, not sure what it has in store but I'm feeling really good about it! Since today is the 31st, I should probably share my pancakes I made for Christmas Day! I had froze a few and pulled out two this morning to have after my run. Which reminded me I should probably get this posted today before tomorrow. ;)

Christmas Day I always make a yummy breakfast that we don't eat all the time. Sometimes it is waffles, crepes, or pancakes. I opted for pancakes this year because those IHOP commercials kill me with their pecan pie waffles and whatever concoctions they come up with! I made the pancakes a little more healthier then usual but I couldn't stray away too much from your normal pancake, or else my dad would flip. He doesn't like flaxseed or whole wheat flour. He can be very picky, BUT if I don't tell him, he doesn't know! I made an extra large pancake for myself with the extra batter. Topped with crunchy almond butter and pure maple syrup. It was divine! Which I had again for breakfast this morning, that how good it was!

 
Fallon's Special Pancakes  
Ingredients 

1 cup of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
3-1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tbsp flaxseed meal
1-1/4 cups low fat buttermilk
1/4 cup 1% milk (this is optional, I added a few splashes to thin out the batter)
1 egg
2 tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

In a large bowl, sift together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg, melted butter, flaxseed, and vanilla extract; mix until smooth. If mixture seems too thick, thin it out with a few splashes of 1% milk or whatever you have on hand. Heat a griddle or frying pan with butter over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup batter into the pan for each pancake. When it is time to flip the pancake, the batter on top will start to bubble. I made my pancakes slightly smaller and had about 14 servings, and we each had about 3-4 pancakes.

The pancakes were a little denser then your typical fluffy pancake but they tasted delicious. The vanilla extract made a nice addition to the pancakes and gave it a slightly sweeter flavor. I was more satisfied off these pancakes because of the addition of some whole wheat flour and flaxseed meal, I didn't feel overly stuffed and just satisfied. Plus with the almond butter smeared on top for extra fat and protein, it was definitely a filling breakfast!

My extra big pancake, so good I had one more smaller pancake!

Why do I call these special? Well my dad never figured it out and loved every bite!

Happy New Years to everyone! I will see you in 2010!

Always,
Fallon