Sunday, May 30, 2010

Apple~Cranberry Puff Pancake

Sunday morning breakfast is always special.  When we were little, we'd have a quick glass of juice and maybe a piece of toast before rushing off to church, but when we got home...pancakes or waffles, biscuits and eggs, scrapple or bacon would be started by mom to reward us for being patient (and good) at church!  I love making breakfast and even though most of our Sundays there are only two of us, that tradition remains.

Sundays are also a little hard right now.  I would look forward to a call from Kelly, telling me what they had done on Saturday, what new words or funny thing Ari had done, and what project she would try to do while Ari napped.  (The last photo of Kelly and I together in March 2010).


It's quiet...but busying myself in the kitchen helps.  I thought back to a puff pancake my mother had made and decided to pull out some apples and see what would develop.  I remember the batter was similar to a popover batter and the apples were sauteed with butter and spices.  Like usual, I've added a few things my mother didn't and instead of pure maple syrup, I've switched to Agave Nectar, which Kelly turned me onto because of its low glycemic index.  My finished dish also as vegetarian bacon beside it, but I'm sure Kelly would have loved to have chosen scrapple, especially the homemade version my mother made. 

Apple~Cranberry Puff Pancake
3T dark or light brown sugar, packed
3T unsalted butter
3-4 apples, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch slices
1/2 cup dried cranberries (use fresh in the Fall)
2 T Boiled Apple Cider
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 tsp. Cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. cardamon, 1/2 tsp. grated nutmeg (my trilogy!)

Melt butter in a large sauce pan or frying pan.  Add brown sugar, cider, and spices.  Stir together, then, add the apples.  Add the extract and cook 7-8 minutes on med/low heat until tender.
Preheat oven to 400F-degrees.  I poured the apple mixture into a baking dish, but if you used an iron skillet to saute the apples, that could go directly into the oven.
I used my blender to mix the batter and have the ingredients listed in the order they should be added to that appliance.  You can also whisk the ingredients in a bowl.

4 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. apple flavoring
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 T melted butter

Blend all ingredients on high until well incorported.
Make sure you scrape down the sides to incorporate all the dry ingredients.  Pour the batter over the apple~cranberry mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven 17 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and "puffy".  Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and serve warm with your favorite syrup!  Enjoy!

6 comments:

  1. Good Evening Susan

    I thought I would pop in to say goodnight. I too see I have stumbled upon my Sons favourite 'Pancakes'. I am slowly introducing them to raw eating and have swapped their sugar for Agave too. I must say those apples slowly cooking look scrumptious. Wish I could smell them~ I have just finished Ari's knitted gnome and birthday crown which I will be sending to Nicole soon. Please know that every stitch has been knitted and sewn with much love...

    Love and Blessings of comfort to you Susan
    Lots of love
    Suzanne

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  2. I love these! When I was little my mother called them German Pancakes. My kids and I now call them Dutch Babies. What ever you call them they are delicious and the sauteed apples are the perfect addition. I would call you today but Ben's family is in town and there is a full day of events planned. I will talk to you soon :) I love you.

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  3. Susan, Sundays are also usually the day I chat with my mom on the phone. It is these small gifts that sometimes you forget are so precious... It breaks my heart to hear of your missed phone calls from Kelly. I know as a mother this is heartbreaking beyond what words can share. I am glad you are keeping your mind busy in the kitchen, Kelly certainly is sorely missed. She would be happy to see that you are cooking and creating in her memory. xoxo
    ps... I love the idea of using these spices in your mix! Lots of love, Nicole

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  4. Thank you Suzanne and I can't wait to see the gnome and crown. You will make a little boy quite happy! ...and Nicole and Kandyce, I was thinking of all the beautiful women that Kelly brought into my life...and I'm thankful to have you both!

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  5. These look amazing. I remember being hungry on Sunday mornings -- in my family, no one was allowed to eat before communion. Now I always try to make something special on Sundays and don't ever let myself go hungry :)

    Beautiful picture of you and Kelly, Susan. I thought of Kelly a lot today when I was out in the beautiful sunshine taking pictures.

    A big hug to you. Love, Eileen

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  6. We love the idea of these puff pancakes and all the variation they lend themselves to. We like to make them in individual ramekins for a quick and easy weekend breakfast treat.
    Cheers,
    Steve & Jason
    http://yourfoodchoices.wordpress.com/2010/06/06/apple-puff-pancakes/

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