These cute pancakes are perfect for winter weekend mornings and it doesn’t even have to be Christmas. They are easy to make, look great thanks to silicone shapes, and can be prepared with kids. They come out fluffy and thick and I especially enjoy made from scratch apple compote that I always cook to go with the pancakes.

I also love that all the ingredients that are needed are always in my refrigerator and pantry. If I miss something, Instacart is always at my service and I can get what I need in a matter of a couple of hours without leaving my house. Instacart sends personal shoppers to local grocery stores and pharmacies to fulfill my shopping list while I have access to that person and can discuss substitutions and cancellations in real time. This service became truly essential for me during the ongoing corona pandemic because I rarely want to go to stores clad in mask and deal with all of that.

I haven’t added any extras in the pancakes, but you can easily add berries, bananas, or chocolate chips. My kids love simple pancakes that can then be eaten with apple compote, jam, butter, syrup, whipping cream, or sour cream – it’s up to personal tastes and imaginations.

Let’s take a look at these fluffy pancakes that even Nutrisystem wouldn’t forbid as long as you don’t eat 10 of them. This recipe makes 14 pancakes and they are pretty big, so all four of us have 3-4 each and feel perfectly full.

Ingredients:

For apple compote:

• 2 organic honey crisp apples, peeled
• 3 tablespoons of brown or raw sugar
• 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• A pinch of organic cinnamon

For pancake dough:

• ½ cup of all purpose or whole wheat flour
• ½ of organic rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of baking soda
• A pinch of salt
• 3 tablespoons of cane sugar
• Organic cinnamon
• 1 organic egg
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 1 cup of buttermilk or kefir

First let’s make apple compote.

You have to peel and cube apples, and place them in a small pot.

Add brown sugar, 3 tablespoons of butter, and cinnamon, and turn the heat on medium.

Cook apples for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Apple cubes will retain their form and it’s OK. Turn the heat off and leave the compote to cool off.

Now on to making the pancakes.

The best way to prepare the dough is with a blender.

Put all the dry ingredients: flour, rolled oats, baking soda, baking powder, salt, sugar, and cinnamon in a blender and blend until everything mixes and turns into a fine powder.

Next add an egg, melted butter, and a cup of buttermilk to the blender and blend until completely smooth.

It might not look like a lot of dough, but it’ll be plenty for 14 pancakes. If you want more, double all the ingredients and you’ll be able to feed a large family.

Let the batter rest for a few minutes while you get the pan hot and ready. Spray it with nonstick spray - I use coconut oil. Spray silicone shapes, if you have them, to make sure pancakes don’t stick. These pancakes would be just fine without any shapes, but my kids always have lots of fun with maple leaf and Christmas tree shapes, so I really encourage trying them.

When your pan is ready, spoon two spoons of batter into the shape and spread it gently to make sure all the corners get covered. Cook on medium heat on one side until the bubbles start bursting, about 2 minutes. Then carefully lift the shapes up with a hand or with tongs and put them away. Flip the pancakes and cook them for another couple of minutes until golden brown. Serve hot with compote for dipping or with other toppings of your choice.

Enjoy and don’t disappoint your diet plans, like Nutrisystem!