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Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Piece Together a Perfect Pancake ~ A Pancake Bar


We like pancakes.  Um, we actually kinda love them.  The thing is, each one of my children like different kinds; four-year-old likes blueberry pancakes, six-year-old adores cinnamon, and so on and so on and soooo onnnnn...  It finally hit me.  Why not set up a pancake bar?  Last Saturday morning, my family woke up to little bowls filled with add-ins and toppings waiting for them to put into their very own pancakes.  Everyone was delighted with their own creations, and it fed that little artistic foodie that runs deep in all of us. I'm definitely going to serve this the next time we host a breakfast.  It can totally be a themed breakfast that re-invents itself anytime you want it to (Autumn bars, summer bars, hawaiian/tropical bars...).  It's so fun and it involves everyone in the kitchen, and we all know that those who cook together grow together in more ways than one.  Mark my words.  Pancake bar breakfast parties.  It's going to catch on.  Watch out cupcakes, the new rage is the pancake bar, says I!

Want to give it a try?  Here's how it goes:
  • Prepare your favorite pancake batter (mine is this amazing sourdough recipe from Gnowfglins).
  • Thinly slice seasonal fruits and chop up nuts you'd like to use (see below for suggestions).
  • Sprinkle generous amounts of your add-ins (use several; it's fun!) onto pancakes just poured onto the griddle and cook pancakes as usual.
  • Serve fruit-side-up (it's really pretty), and add toppings (see suggestions below).


Add-in Suggestions:
  • Nuts: walnuts, pecans, almond slices or slivers.
  • Fruit: raisins, sliced grapes, apples, pears, plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, coconut flakes, mangoes...  Whatever is in season.  I suggest tossing some cinnamon and/or nutmeg with most of the fruit slices; it adds some lovely flavor.
  • Berries: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, goji berries, mulberries... whatever you can find!
Topping Suggestions (to pick and choose from)
  • Real maple syrup (grade B is preferred for it's health qualities and because it's delicious)
  • freshly whipped cream
  • a dusting of powdered sugar
  • lemon zest
  • orange zest
  • any leftover add-ins from above

My kids discovered a new favorite topping: fresh raspberries!  I must agree, their tartness and pretty color is hard to resist (but add way more than this):


Enjoy and have fun!


whole-foods-for-the-holidays-button


29 comments:

  1. This is a great idea, and now that I have a starter, I will give pancakes a try.

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  2. How fabulous!! And yeah, who doesn't love pancakes ;)

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  3. This is such a cool idea!!! We are going to have to try it sometime... yummy!! I'm a new reader, thanks for sharing!

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  4. Found this through The Healthy Home Economist - love this idea! Thanks so much for sharing! :0)

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  5. This is a fantastic idea and what fun, it must be. All those choices makes it irresistible.

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  6. What a great idea. My soon-to-be 3yr old requested pancakes for her 3rd bday so we're having a pancake party. This idea will certainly help keep things more organized. I found you over at the PWP today :)

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  7. How fun! I think I will try this some Sunday morning before Church - my kids would be thrilled!

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  8. What a fun idea! I think I will give this a try on Saturday morning - thanks for the idea!

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  9. what a cute idea! I'd love this! I used to do the same thing with cereal and put all kinds of fruits toppings, etc.

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  10. What a great idea for breakfast. This way everyone gets exactly what they want without too much extra effort on the cook's part. Excellent.

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  11. What a fabulous idea! Much better than picking out the fillings one doesn't like. Thanks for linking up at Vegetarian Foodie Fridays!

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  12. This really is an awesome idea! My kiddos would just love this too!

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  13. Great idea. Perfect for guests as well as family!

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  14. What a wonderful idea! I can see why your kids enjoyed it, and it would definitely work for guests as well!

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  15. WOW! Katie fantastic idea, I love to feed their little creative minds too so you can guess what we are making this weekend!
    Thanks for join in on Just Another Meatless Monday!

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  16. What a fun idea! I love it. Totally wouldn't have thought of half of those add-ins. Thanks so much for sharing and linkin up. Sorry the button was broken. I was having trouble posting earlier and have tried to update that grabbable link since. Hopefully it's working now. Thanks again.

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  17. My kids love pancakes, all with different flavors and syrups. This is a brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing.

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  18. OMGosh..this is a FABULOUS idea. Can't wait to do this with my grands...they are gonna love it...and YOU, for showing me what to do here.
    Wonderful idea...
    xo bj

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  19. You and your pancakes! You're not jokin' around ;) LOL!! But yes, pancake bars are the way to go...a little something for everyone. I just finished up some malted pancakes, as a matter of fact...mmmmm. Thanks for sharing your pancake bar with the hearth and soul hop this week!

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  20. I am so glad you linked this to the hearth and soul hop so now I always can find it!

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  21. This looks great! I love all the add-in suggestions!

    Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites last week!

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  22. Who doesn't love pancakes - your pancake bar is a great idea to please all palettes.
    Sue :-)

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  23. What a great idea for a gathering. Something I will use for the upcoming holidays. Thank you for sharing.
    Miz Helen

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  24. SO CUTE, Katie!!! I heart this idea AND pancakes:)

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  25. great idea and thanks for sharing. yes, your pancakes looks yummy and toppings was so cute, i am craving for one now! happy weekend! :)

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  26. This is so fun! I love this idea -- very creative and a great way to keep everyone's taste buds in line and happy!

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  27. Me again. Thanks for linking up to Friday Potluck!

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