I think that the birthday weekend is a time to indulge, hence the chocolate syrup on these pancakes. Ok, I’ll admit that I just put it on for the photo and ate the rest with maple syrup, but I did put some mini chocolate chips in the batter. I couldn’t resist tasting it with the chocolate syrup, though, and I think that this could make a fun dessert. Pancakes, ice cream, chocolate syrup….
The pancakes themselves are not very rich. The base is a very simple pancake batter with a few additions. The cinnamon pancakes have but a bit of spice to them. The chocolate pancakes, by themselves, are not very sweet, which makes them still work well with syrup. If you choose not to use syrup, you may want to increase the sugar by another tablespoon I have included additional options in the recipe below for add-ins to spice up the pancakes. Go with mini chocolate chips for something a bit more decadent, dried cranberries for a bit of tang or add a pinch of cayanne to each batter, eat them together and call them mexican chocolate pancakes. It is probably best to add something to either the chocolate or the cinnamon, but not both, for balance. The butter is optional, as I have made them with and without the butter. The pancakes will be slightly more tender with the butter, but the difference is very small. These pancakes simply fun.
Cinnamon Pancakes
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 tbsp butter, melted (optional)
Chocolate Pancakes
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 tbsp butter, melted (optional)
To either batter: 1/4 cup chocolate chips (mini is best), cinnamon chips, dried cranberries or coarsely chopped, toasted walnuts. You can also add 1 tsp vanilla to each batter, a pinch of cayanne or 1 tsp orange zest. Use all at once at your own risk.
Using one bowl for each batter (the method is the same), whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Sift in cocoa/stir in cinnamon.
In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg and butter (if using). Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until well combined, with only a few lumps. Stir in any additions, if using.
Heat a griddle or nonstick pan over medium/high heat. Drop batter to form 3 inch pancakes. Cook for about 2 minutes, until pancake bubbles and looks slightly dry around the edges. Flip and cook until golden brown. If you make the chocolate and cinnamon pancakes at the same time, you will be able to judge the donness of the chocolate by the color of the cinnamon.
Serve immediatey with maple syrup.
Each batch makes about twelve 3-inch pancakes.
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Chubby Hubby is hosting this round of DMBLGiT. Which September photo do you think I should enter?
Rainey
October 16, 2005Mmmm! Pancakes must be in the air. We had pumpkin pancakes with pecans this morning.
I’m not sure what the DMBLGiT is, exactly. From you invite for suggestions I’m guessing part of it is Does My Blog Look Good… but I’m not sure what the criteria are. I really liked the photo of the Peanut Brittle Bars on 9/12. They look really luscious. And the one of Silver Dollar Pancakes on 9/11 is great too. They look oh so good but also oh so whimsical. It really made me laugh to see them again.
Mona
October 16, 2005Those look incredible. I’d have a hard time eating ANYTHING for the rest of the day because I’d eat myself into oblivion after those!!
MMMM. Thanks for the eye candy!
Melissa
October 16, 2005Hey Nic,
Those birthday pancakes look great, I love that you are working your birthday celebrations into the weekend too! Work it as long as you can!
For your DMBLGiT entry….
I’m voting for Sept 11, 15th and 23rd. What does everybody else think?
Melissa
Cathy
October 16, 2005Great idea Nic, and they look delicious!
I vote for the September 11th photo.
Kat
October 16, 2005Even though I don’t like chocolate much, the Chocolate Mink photo is gorgeous. Personally like the ribs, but then, I REALLY like ribs!
Kat
Rainey
October 16, 2005I’ve been thinking how good cinnamon pancakes could be all day!
You know what would be good with them? There was a guy at the Calabassas farmers’ market who bottled an apple cider syrup รขโฌโ basically, boiled down apple cider, I think. I think your pancakes and his syrup would be fab-u-lous together. …and I bet he does the Encino FM too.
I’m going to go looking for it on Sat and whip up your cinnamon pancakes next Sun morning. Can’t wait!
Rosa's Yummy Yums
October 16, 2005Those pancakes look very interesting, mmmhhh!
Please come and visit my blog which is all about Swiss and international cuisine…
Anonymous
October 16, 2005As yummy as all your photos are, I must vote for Sept 5 and the plum sorbet. Just beautiful!
Brady
Nic
October 16, 2005Rainey – Thanks for the input. I’m not taking any chances – I’ll drive out to Calabassas for apple cider syrup. It sounds amazing!
Mona – My pleasure!
Melissa – I like those, too. Decisions, decisions…
Cathy – So far, I think it’s in the lead!
Kat – I like the bones photo, myself. =)
Brady – That sorbet photo is a favorite of mine. It even looks refershing n the picture!
Crazy Gaijin
October 16, 2005Hi Nic
I am a friend of Niki from Esurientes. I think that your photo fo the cabbage is fantastic. It sums up why I love cooking (and I am sure almost everyone else on the blogs….) – fresh food, looks brilliant, tastes great and makes you feel good! I hope you choose it! Simple, but superb! The lighting is terrific, gives it a brilliant colour!
Samantha
October 17, 2005I think I’ll vote for either the donut cookies or the silver dollar pancakes. ๐
BNA
October 17, 2005Cayenne in pancakes? I am so there. (Damn! Six more hours of work!)
Laura
December 29, 2008Oh, my goodness! I made your cinnamon pancakes yesterday and they were SO GOOD. Easily, the best pancakes I have ever had. I am hooked! Thanks so much for sharing your recipes! : )