Photography Terry Brennan, Food Styling Lara Miklasevics
Pancakes make a perfect—and easy—breakfast or brunch food. Plus, mix in savory flavors like bacon, corn and more and you have a twist on dinner.
The pancake—a thin flat cake prepared with a batter made from milk, eggs, flour, and oil or butter—and its variations are found in almost every culture, note the folks at National Today, a site devoted to these special days. With National Pancake Day coming up on March 1, you’ll want to celebrate early and whip up a batch of pancakes this weekend. Here, I highlight an easy one-pan Dutch Baby pancake recipe, plus scroll down for more ideas that will keep you well fed for many weekends to come. Want to learn more about the history of the pancake? Check that out here.
Free Pancakes?
To celebrate National Pancake Day, IHOP is giving away free pancakes March 1. You can sign up for one free short stack (three buttermilk pancakes) per guest at IHOP in honor of the day. (Dine-in only 7 a.m.–4 p.m.) Plus, donations will benefit community children’s charities. For more info and to sign up click here.
Photography Terry Brennan Food Styling Lara Miklasevics
Popover Pancake with Honey Spiced Apples
Makes 4 servings | Recipe by Marie Simmons from Real Food
Sometimes called Dutch Baby pancake, this easy dish is baked in a skillet. Cast iron is preferred, but any heavy skillet with an ovenproof handle will work. The pancake will puff up dramatically around the edges, resulting in a pool in the center perfect for the apple slices poached in spiced honey. Other fruits can be used. Try it with peaches, nectarines, or pears. Serve this as a brunch dish or dessert. Honey Varietal: Mildly sweet orange blossom, alfalfa, or clover. Also try honey infused with ginger, lavender, or cinnamon. —Marie Simmons
For the Pancake
3 large eggs
¾ cup milk
1 tablespoon honey
¾ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
For the Honey Spiced Apples
2 or 3 large apples, preferably Golden Delicious
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
½ teaspoon ground cardamom, ginger, or cinnamon
½ cup honey
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- To make the pancake, preheat the oven to 400°F. Place in the oven an 8- or 10-inch cast-iron skillet or heavy skillet with a heatproof handle.
- Put the eggs, milk, and honey in a large bowl and whisk. Add the flour and whisk until well blended.
- Using a pot holder, remove the skillet from the oven and add the butter. Tilt the skillet to melt the butter and coat the skillet evenly. Add the batter all at once and return the skillet to the oven. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the pancake puffs up around the edges and is golden brown.
- While the pancake is baking, make the honey spiced apples. Quarter, core, and peel the apples and cut into ¼-inch-thick wedges. Melt the butter in a medium skillet. Add the apples and cook, stirring gently with a rubber spatula, for about 5 minutes, or until lightly browned on both sides. Sprinkle with the spice of choice. Add the honey and stir to coat the apples. Heat until the honey boils, then add the lemon juice and remove from the heat.
- To serve, slide the pancake onto a platter. Spoon the apples and honey syrup into the center and cut into wedges, distributing the fruit evenly.
Nutrition info Popover Pancake with Honey Spiced Apples (per serving): Calories 437 (119 From Fat); Fat 13g (Sat. 7g); Chol 165mg; Sodium 70mg; Carb 74g; Fiber 2g; Protein 9g
Photography Terry Brennan, Food Styling Lara Miklasevics
Sweet and Savory Pancake Recipe Roundup
Apple Pancakes with Maple-Apple Sauce
Step up your breakfast with apples in the pancake mix plus a sweet apple maple sauce to top it all off
Sour Cream Pancakes with Caramelized Apples
Weekends call for a sit-down breakfast you can linger over—but the cooking can still be easy.
Apple Pancakes with Maple-Pecan Syrup
Apples and nuts jazz up breakfast in homemade pancakes.
Hot Cakes: Savory + Sweet Pancake Recipes
Savory pancakes for brunch or dinner? Sure, but make them real pancakes.
Ham and Swiss Dutch Pancake
A puffy savory baked pancake is great for brunch, lunch, or anytime.
Photography Terry Brennan, Food Styling Lara Miklasevics
