Apple Cider Pancakes with Warm Apple Salsa

I’m very happy to report that Jon and I are finally transitioning into an apple phase.  That’s not to say I won’t throw in a couple more pumpkin flavored recipes but the focus, at least my focus, is now on making things like applesauce, apple butter, and apple crisp.  To start off our apple efforts, I chose an adaption of this recipe from Tokyo Terrace because the pictures were absolutely mouth-watering.  To be completely honest, the pancakes didn’t quite meet my expectations but with the addition of the warm apple salsa, they were delicious!  This is not to say there’s anything wrong with the original recipe – Let it be known that I have a HUGE sweet tooth so the pancakes were just a little too plain for my liking.  If you’re used to eating pancakes with just a little butter and no syrup, I’m sure you’d love the original recipe.

But this is where the warm apple salsa saved the day in my humble opinion… It’s warm, soft, brown sugar cinnamon-y goodness was the perfect addition to every bite.  It sweetened the pancakes considerably and brought forward so much more of the apple flavor.  Please promise me you’ll make the apple salsa if you’re going to make these pancakes?  🙂

Okay, let’s get breakfast started then!

In a large bowl, combine your whole wheat flour with the baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

In a separate small bowl, whisk your egg white, buttermilk, yogurt, honey, and cider together.

Tip:  Next time I try apple cider pancakes, I would add more cider to the batter and perhaps lessen the amount of buttermilk.

In another small dish, whisk your egg yolk and olive oil.  (I know I know, we’re making a mess of so many dishes – It’ll be worth it!)

Now add the last dish with the egg yolk and olive oil to the buttermilk mixture.  Finally, mix the total wet mixture into the dry mixture until combined.

Tip:  Try not to over-mix the batter as that will result in denser pancakes and who doesn’t like fluffy pancakes?

Lightly grease a small skillet and heat over medium heat.  Pour 1/4 cup of the batter in and wait until you see small bubbles then flip.

Tip:  I just recently found this awesome tip via Pinterest.  What a great trick to making pancakes and pouring the batter!

If you’re a good multi-tasker, you can start the warm apple salsa while your pancakes are cooking.  If you’re accident prone in the kitchen, keep your eye on your pancakes and make the salsa after they’re all cooked (you can keep your cooked pancakes warm in a preheated oven).

For the apple salsa, cut your apple into wedges and chop into bite size pieces.  I kept the skin on but if you prefer, you can peel your apple first.

Up the apple flavor by pouring 1/2 cup of apple cider into a small skillet and let it simmer over medium to medium-high heat for 3 minutes.  Toss in the apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon and mix all of that fall-flavored deliciousness together.  After a couple of minutes, the apples will soften and the liquid will thicken into a thin syrup.

Serve the warm apple salsa on top of the warm apple cider pancakes and dig in!

Apple Cider Pancakes with Warm Apple Salsa

Inspired by Tokyo Terrace

Makes 4 pancakes

Ingredients (Pancakes)

• 1 cup whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, separated
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Ingredients (Apple Salsa)

• 1 large apple (I used a Granny Smith)
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

What to Do (Pancakes)

1. In a large bowl, combine the whole wheat flour with the baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg white, buttermilk, yogurt, honey, and cider together.
3. In a third small dish, whisk your egg yolk and olive oil.
4. Now add the last dish with the egg yolk and olive oil (step 3) to the buttermilk mixture (step 2).
5. Finally, mix the total wet mixture into the dry mixture until combined but don’t over mix (lumps are okay).
6. Lightly grease a small skillet and heat over medium heat.
7. Pour 1/4 cup of the batter in and wait until you see small bubbles then flip.
8. Once cooked through (about 2 more minutes), remove your pancake from the skillet.
9. Repeat steps 7 & 8 with the remaining batter.
10. If needed, keep your pancakes warm in a preheated oven.

What to Do (Apple Salsa)

1. Optional: Peel your apple.
2. Cut the apple into wedges and chop into bite size pieces.
3. Pour 1/2 cup of apple cider into a small skillet and let it simmer over medium to medium-high heat for 3 minutes.
4. Toss in the apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon and mix together.
5. After a couple of minutes, the apples will soften and the liquid will thicken into a thin syrup.
6. Spoon over warm pancakes and indulge yourself!

You May Also Like:

• Baked Egg Cups
• Baked Breakfast Casserole
• Sweet Roasted Peaches with Brown Sugar Butter

Tags: apple, apple cider, breakfast, brown sugar, brunch, cider, cinnamon, Cooking, from scratch, granny smith apple, homemade, pancakes, Pinterest tip, recipe, salsa

• October 25, 2012
• Main Dishes, Recipes
• 31 Comments