Light, Whole Grain Pancakes

Pancakes are a big hit around here. They are one thing everyone will agree on, they are great for breakfast OR dinner, and they are cheap. I am not too keen on making them with white flour, even organic white flour, because of the lack of nutrients. Whole grains are so nutritious but lots of kids don’t like them, including some of mine. And yet…

And yet there has to be a way to make everyone happy. Right?

One thing that makes whole grain pancakes lighter is using a combination of flours, but the biggest secret of all is buttermilk. Buttermilk does what it has always done, gives baked goods a light tender crumb.

These are a good basic pancake for adding blueberries, dried cherries, or what ever you like to them. They go together pretty quickly but you should allow the batter to rest for about 15 minutes before you pour it on the griddle. I promise this will fill up the biggest appetite!

I use a restaurant scoop to scoop the batter with, about 1/4 cup per pancake. Oh, and always, always, always use whole buttermilk, not low fat or fat free. It will make a difference in your finished product.

Whole Grain Pancakes

• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

1. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in the other.
2. Add the two together and fold quickly, just until well blended.
3. Pour batter onto a hot griddle and make pancakes as usual.

This makes about a dozen pancakes.  They freeze and reheat really well.

You can also use part whole wheat flour, and mix up other flours to make it a bit different. Just use mostly whole wheat flour. For example:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup buckwheat flour
• 1/2 cup amaranth flour

Or

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup buckwheat flour
• 1/4 cup flaxseed
• 1/4 cup coarsely ground sunflower seeds

You can also add:

• Dried cranberries
• Blueberries
• Dried cherries
• Chocolate chips and  graham cracker crumbs. Top with a dollop of marshmallow fluff (don’t ask!)
• Chopped pecans or walnuts
• Raisins
• Sunflower seeds
• Punpkin seeds
• Almonds, chopped or almond flour

It really is endless!

image:maryeaudet