Jack-O-Lanterns (Pumpkin Pancakes)

Jack-O-Lanterns (Pumpkin Pancakes)

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Serving Size 2 pancakes
 

Ingredients

1 egg
1⁄2 cup canned pumpkin
1 3⁄4 cups non-fat or 1% milk
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups flour
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon Salt

Directions

1. Combine eggs, pumpkin, milk and oil in large mixing bowl.
2. Add flour, brown sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt to egg mixture. Stir gently.
3. Lightly spray a large skillet or griddle with non-stick cooking spray or lightly wipe with oil. Heat skillet or griddle over medium-high heat (300 degrees in an electric skillet). Using a 1/4 cup measure, pour batter on hot griddle.
4. Put a face on the jack-o-lantern, using raisins for eyes and teeth. Drop raisins in batter while it cooks.
5. Pancakes are ready to turn when tops are bubbly all over, and the edges begin to appear dry. Use a quick flip with a broad spatula to turn pancakes. Turn only once. Continue to bake until bottoms are brown and dry.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• No pumpkin pie spice? Use 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon dry ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon cloves or nutmeg.
• Try using 1 cup whole wheat flour and 1 cup all-purpose flour for more whole grains!
• To see if skillet is hot enough, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If drops skitter around, heat is just right.
• Top with applesauce, fresh fruit or yogurt.

Gingerbread Pancakes

Gingerbread Pancakes

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size 2 pancakes (4-inch)

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup whole wheat flour
1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 egg
2 Tablespoons molasses
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup low-fat buttermilk

Directions

1. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, beat egg. Stir in molasses, oil and buttermilk.
3. Pour milk mixture into dry ingredients; stir together lightly.
4. Lightly spray a large skillet or griddle with non-stick cooking spray or lightly wipe with oil. Heat skillet or griddle over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet). For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle.
5. Cook until pancakes are puffed and dry around edges. Turn and cook other side until golden brown.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• No pumpkin pie spice? Use 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon dry ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon cloves or nutmeg.
• No buttermilk? Place 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar in measuring cup and fill to the 1 cup line with milk. Stir and let set to thicken slightly.  
• To see if skillet is hot enough, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If drops skitter around, heat is just right.
• Top with applesauce, fresh fruit or yogurt.

Corn Pancakes

Corn Pancakes

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Serving Size 1 6" pancake

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup cornmeal
1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1⁄2 cup non-fat or 1% milk
2 cups cooked corn* (canned and drained, frozen, or fresh cooked)
cooking spray for skillet

Directions

1. Mix corn meal, flour, baking powder and salt.
2. Beat the eggs and milk together and add to the flour mixture.
3. Add corn and mix well.
4. Lightly spray a large skillet or griddle with non-stick cooking spray or lightly wipe with oil. Heat skillet or griddle over medium heat (300 degrees in an electric skillet). Pour batter onto hot griddle to make individual pancakes.
5. Cook until golden on the bottom. Turn and cook on other side.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Fresh corn works very well in this recipe. Cook 2 large ears of corn for 5 minutes in boiling water then cool in very cold water.  Cut kernels off the cob, cream style, (cut kernels with shallow cut then scrape the cob for the rest of the kernel). Add to batter.
• Try serving with salsa or applesauce.
• This recipe can also be made quickly with your favorite pancake mix. Make enough batter for six servings. Then, add 1 can drained corn or 2 cups cooked fresh corn cut off the cob.

Carrot Pancakes

Carrot Pancakes

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Yield: 5 servings
Serving Size 3 pancakes

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup oats (quick or old-fashioned)
3⁄4 cup buttermilk
1⁄2 cup carrots, finely grated
1 egg
1 Tablespoon oil
1⁄4 cup non-fat or 1% milk
1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
1⁄2 cup all purpose flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions

1. Mix oatmeal and buttermilk and set aside to soak.
2. Peel and grate the carrot with a fine grater.
3. Add egg, oil, milk and vanilla extract, if desired, to the oatmeal mixture; beat well. Stir in the grated carrot.
4. Measure dry ingredients and stir into the wet ingredients until batter is fairly smooth. If it seems too thick add a small amount of milk.
5. Lightly spray a large skillet or griddle with non-stick cooking spray or lightly wipe with oil. Heat skillet or griddle over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet). For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle.
6. Cook until pancakes are puffed and dry around edges. Turn and cook other side until golden brown.
7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• To see if skillet is hot enough, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If drops skitter around, heat is just right.
• Top with applesauce, fresh fruit or yogurt.