Apple Pie Pancakes with Spiced Maple Syrup

Guys, for some reason I’ve been on a huge apple kick this fall! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE pumpkin (and I will be having an entire week dedicated to that starting Monday), but everything with apples sounds delicious! I’m finding all sorts of new ways to incorporate them into salads, main dishes, breads and even pancakes.

Lately I’ve really been craving cozy foods like waffles or pancakes for breakfast, so I thought I’d make a spiced pancake that tastes just as good as apple pie- but has a lot less calories and requires way less work. I think I was pretty darn successful! I adapted one of my favorite recipes to include apple pie spice, grated apple and applesauce. I wanted to make sure that each bite was packed with flavor! And to keep things a little on the healthier side I opted for whole wheat flour and low-fat buttermilk. You can totally use whatever you’d like, it’s up to you! They’ll turn out nice and fluffy either way!

But of course, I couldn’t just stop with the pancakes. I warmed our syrup in a small pan and added some spices to it as well. I poured it over a tall stack of pancakes covered with freshly cut apples and then topped everything with a bit of homemade vanilla bean whipped cream. These pancakes + those toppings = a plate full of apple pie perfection! If you prefer soft apples you can always cook them in a little butter until they become tender and then add in your syrup and spices. That would taste amazing too!

I hope that the next time you’re in the mood for pancakes you’ll give these a try! They really are the perfect way to start a chilly fall day! Enjoy 🙂

Apple Pie Pancakes with Spiced Maple Syrup

 

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Prep time

6 mins

Cook time

4 mins

Total time

10 mins

 

These light and fluffy apple pie pancakes with spiced maple syrup are perfect for fall mornings!

Author: Natalie

Yield: 8 large pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 c. grated apple
• ¼ c. apple sauce
• 1 c. buttermilk
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 3 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1¼ c. all-purpose or whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. apple pie spice
• 
  
• Spiced Maple Syrup:
• 1 c. pure maple syrup
• ¼ tsp. apple pie spice
• 
  
• Garnishes:
• Apple
• Whipped cream

Directions

1. In a medium size mixing bowl, add the grated apple, apple sauce, buttermilk, butter, egg, brown sugar and vanilla extract, whisk until combined.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and apple pie spice.
3. Make a small "nest" or well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients in. Using a large whisk or spatula, stir together until only very small lumps remain.
4. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt a small amount of butter in the pan. Pour ⅓ c. of batter into the pan (I can do 2 at a time in my large skillet) and allow the pancake(s) to cook for 2 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes. Repeat with the remaining batter, buttering the pan between each batch.
5. To make the syrup, in a small saucepan combine the maple syrup and apple pie spice. Over medium-low heat, cook for 3-4 minutes, serve over hot pancakes.

Notes

-You can take this syrup to the next level by dry toast chopped pecans or walnuts until fragrant, adding 2 tbsp. of butter, then the syrup and apple pie spice. Heat on low for 2-3 minutes and then drizzle over the hot pancakes.
-If you don't like raw apples on top of your pancakes, simply sauté them in a small amount of butter until soft.


Recipe source: my whole wheat banana pancakes

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