cornmeal buttermilk pancakes with strawberry syrup and whipped cream

happy valentine's day! here's what i made my little munchkins for breakfast. my one-year-old kept calling them cupcakes, but i thought they tasted more like strawberry shortcakes. we all agreed they were delicious.

cornmeal buttermilk pancakes
adapted from epicurious

3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
3 tablespoons butter, melted

whisk the first six ingredients together in a small bowl. in another mixing bowl, whisk the buttermilk, eggs and melted butter. add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined. cook pancakes on a greased pan 2-3 minutes on each side until golden. extra points for making them heart-shaped. top with strawberry syrup and whipped cream.















strawberry syrup

1 cup strawberries (i thawed some frozen strawberries in the microwave)
1/4 cup sugar

combine the ingredients in a blender and process until very smooth. makes about 1 cup.

whole wheat applesauce pancakes

my little boy can't get enough of these mini pancakes.







since i just canned a bunch of applesauce, i wondered what i was going to do with it all. then i found a recipe for applesauce pancakes that inspired me to create this recipe. the problem i have with making whole wheat pancakes is that they never get fluffy enough for me. they end up thin and have little flavor. make this recipe and you will never go back to white flour pancakes again. these pancakes taste awesome! plus, you can feel good about eating a healthful breakfast that will keep you going until lunchtime.

whole wheat applesauce pancakes
serves 8

2 cups whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons wheat germ (optional)
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 eggs
1 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2/3+ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 apple, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon butter

in a small skillet, melt the butter. add the diced apples and saute until soft, about 3-5 minutes. in a mixing bowl, combine the first six ingredients. make a well in the center and add the eggs, applesauce, lemon juice, and 2/3 cup milk, and vanilla. stir to combine. if the batter is too thick at this point, add more milk, a tablespoon or two at a time until desired consistency is reached. fold in the apples. cook on an oiled and heated skillet....i'm sure by now you know how to cook pancakes!

serve with maple syrup, or if you feel like a little taste of heaven, try this buttermilk syrup recipe and you will have caramel apple pancakes.

buttermilk syrup

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon vanilla

add all ingredients but vanilla in a deep saucepan. bring to a boil. boil for five minutes. do not stir. remove from heat and add vanilla. great on pancakes, waffles, french toast, and ice cream.