I don't think it would surprise anyone if I said that my 2 year old loves pancakes. What kid doesn't? Recently we had a couple of fireside floor picnics and pancakes were on the menu both times, so since then she has been asking regularly for pancakes pancakes pancakessss!
Pancakes seem more like a treat than a meal to me. I mean, they're basically just cake for breakfast with a little less sugar. Top that with her usual whipped cream and honey and our beastie will have quite a sugar high. I want to give her pancakes because she likes them, but I want to feel good about what she's eating too.
I played around with different flours this morning, and I think the result was good enough to share. Kirah sure gobbled them up anyway, and that's what's important. I mixed buckwheat and whole wheat flours, and used molasses instead of white sugar. What I got was a pancake rich in fiber, protein and iron with a sweet, slightly spiced flavor. The flour mixture feels right because they don't have any of that bitterness that can come with buckwheat flour, but if you don't find them to your taste you can definitely increase the sweetener, or adjust the mix of flours as you like.
Buckwheat-Molasses Pancakes
1 cup flour (a little less than 1/2 buckwheat, a little more than 1/2 whole wheat)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3 Tbsp dark molasses (labeled "full flavor" or "robust")
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp melted butter
Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl, and wet ingredients in a small bowl. Add wet to dry, stirring just until mixed. You should have a fairly smooth, thin batter.
Fry over medium-low to medium with a little oil, flipping when bottoms have browned and tops have bubbles in them.
These are great with whipped cream, maple syrup or apple butter.
Now, sit down by the fire on a picnic blanket with plenty of stuffed animal guests and enjoy!
