Ihop Buttermilk Pancakes

The seal has been broken...I have really embraced carbs again. Not just carbs; but simple, evil carbs. Refined white flour and processed sugar??? Yes, please! Actually, there has been a lot of crazy talk about the end of the world lately. I figured that if there was a miniscule chance for the rumors to be true (fat chance) I figured I might as well go to heaven happy. Other than red wine and some alone time with the husband, I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the impending rapture than with yummy, buttery pancakes. Handy excuse???? Yes, please!

Ihop Buttermilk Pancakes
From: Food.com; by: x0xMandYx0x on August 24, 2004

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup cooking oil
1 pinch salt
splash of milk (if needed)

Directions:
Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Mix all of the ingredients until combined. (Optional: If the batter is too thick add a splash of milk to thin out a bit.)

Melt a little bit of butter in the pan. Pour the batter by spoonfuls into the hot pan, forming 5-inch circles.When the edges appear to harden, flip the pancakes.

They should be golden brown. Cook the pancakes on the other side until they are also golden brown.

The Result:
These were excellent. Sometimes I just get a hankerin' for good ol' buttermilk pancakes, and this was a great version. I must confess, Ihop buttermilk pancakes are my favorite. When I was at the end of my pregnancy with the twins, I would stop at Ihop on the way back from my check-ups and get 'all-you-can-eat' pancakes. Let me tell you, a pregnant mama can really put away the pancakes! Shameful, I know. Anyway, these were a pretty accurate version of the chain restaurant; maybe even a little better. We don't eat this way very often, so it's a real splurge when we do. These pancakes totally hit the spot!

Pancakes: Jen's Version

I woke up unusually early this morning, so I decided to treat the boy and I to some homemade pancakes. Typically, I don't make pancakes so I really did not have a recipe...mornings are usually not my thing. I went to my favorite food website, recipezaar.com and found this easy pancake recipe that used ingredients that I already had on hand. It was exactly what I was looking for! I added a couple small twists, so I will note those in the ingredients list as 'optional' items. Overall, this was a fantastic and simple pancake recipe.

Pancakes: Jen's Version
adapted from recipezaar.com/recipe #25690

Ingredients:
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
cooking spray

Directions:
Beat egg and vanilla until fluffy with an electric mixer, whisk attachment. Add the milk and melted butter. Add dry ingredients (including sugar), cinnamon, and nutmeg; mix well. Heat a heavy griddle or fry pan which is greased with cooking spray.(The pan is hot enough when a drop of water breaks into several smaller balls which 'dance' around the pan.) Pour a small amount of batter (approx 1/4 cup) into pan and tip to spread out or spread with spoon. When bubbles appear on surface and begin to break, turn over and cook the other side. Serve immediately.


The Result:
I forgot to take a photo, but these were so good! Light, fluffy, and flavorful. I warmed up some maple syrup in the microwave and topped our pancakes with cut strawberries. So fantastically yummy! This will be my go-to pancake recipe from now on...no more mix out of the box.

Sunday Breakfast Edition: Pancakes with Warm Apple Compote

The husband surprised me Sunday morning with a pre-church breakfast of homemade pancakes and warm apple compote. I am not sure how he made it, or what exactly happened for this to come together, but it was awesome. Really yummy! We had some apples in our crisper drawer and he figured out how to make a pancake topping out of them. I am very impressed! That husband o' mine...he is a keeper!