"Move Over Aunt Jemima" Pancakes

Aunt Jemima was a wonderful lady who made a fine pancake. Every pancake I've ever had up until 3 months ago was out of a box with her name on it. But being the cocky at-home-chef I am I wondered one day if I could do better. So I went on an internet-wide search for a homemade pancake recipe that could take on the Queen of Batter herself. It took a few tries and I finally found a base recipe I could work from.

The resulting pancake was in a word: fluffy. These pancakes are soft and light and full of wonderful autumn-tasting spices that make you want to go outside and rake jump in the leaves. You may think that homemade pancakes are too time-consuming, or that they're just a weekend treat, but they're pretty simple and fast so they're a great way to send your kids off to school. Throw in some chocolate chips, or blueberries, or banana and make them your own!

"Move Over Aunt Jemima" Pancakes adapted from allrecipes.com

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tbsp. white sugar
1 1/2 c.milk
1 egg
3 tbsp. butter, melted
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg or 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 c. mini chocolate chips (optional, but that's how I roll)

Instructions:

1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar making sure they're well incorporated.
2. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and the cooled melted butter. Fold in the dry ingredients just until they're well mixed and smooth but be sure not to over-work the batter.
3. Stir in any additions such as fruit or chocolate chips.
4. Heat griddle or frying pan over medium high heat and grease well. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot with maple syrup, powered sugar or whatever else floats your boat.

Note: I like to warm up my maple syrup, just a few seconds in the microwave will do it. It helps to keep the pancakes nice and hot and totally yummy.

enjoy,
Amanda