If You Give a Man Some Pancakes…

chocolate-stones
Can you believe that these beautiful heart “stones” are made of chocolate?! Can’t wait to try one! Happy Valentine’s Day!

…he just might ask you to marry him. At least that’s how it happened with us. Ok, now a marriage proposal may not come as a result of just any pancakes, but these were oatmeal pancakes. Oatmeal honey pancakes. Alright, so maybe that’s not entirely the reason that I got a ring, but my husband, Ed says he’s pretty sure these flapjacks definitely cinched the deal.

For me, it’s difficult to put any pancakes above the crispy, buttermilk, plate-sized discs that you get from a diner. Those are just beyond reproach–especially since despite how I’ve tried, I cannot duplicate that crispy exterior that comes as a result of a professional kitchen griddle–and a lot of butter. This recipe is a close second for me–for Ed, it tops his charts. These hearty, healthy hotcakes are slightly sweet with a hint of spice–it’s like your favorite oatmeal cookie showed up for breakfast. Ed doesn’t need it to be breakfast time to enjoy them: I’ve even seen him sneaking these as a midnight snack.

The first time I made them for him was fifteen years ago. I found the recipe years prior in my Better Homes and Gardens—Pancakes & Toppings cookbook and  I’ve been making them ever since. I usually save them for special occasions–mostly to show my guy some love and to ensure he never gets bored with eating them. If these pancakes were my in, I have to make sure I stay in.

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Most people would be thinking about flowers, jewelry, chocolates, and possibly a large stuffed animal holding a heart for their significant other.  At our house, honey oatmeal pancakes are the gift that Ed looks forward to. While preparing for this post, I’ve made them twice this week–Ed is beside himself.  Try these for a special Valentine’s Day breakfast—or for breakfast any day—Valentine not required.  Happy February 14th!

 

honey-oatmeal-pancakes

SWEETHEART HONEY OATMEAL PANCAKES
Extras–if you have them–can be frozen. Just pop them in the toaster to warm them up.

1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/4 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/4 cup milk (I use almond milk)
2 eggs, slightly beaten
3 Tablespoons butter or vegan butter spread, melted
2 Tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pure maple syrup, for serving

Combine oats and milk in a medium bowl. Stir to combine and allow to sit for 10 minutes.

Whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl.

Add eggs, melted butter, honey and vanilla to oat mixture. Mix well to combine. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir until ingredients just come together and you don’t see any more flour.

Heat skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease pan and pour 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto griddle. Pancakes will be ready to flip once bubbles appear on the surface and bottom side is browned, 1-2 minutes. Flip pancakes quickly to other side and cook for 1-2 minutes more.

Serve immediately with pure maple syrup and/or fruit.

Makes about 12.

8 Comments

  1. Mary Beierle said:

    Oh wow, these sound great! Why didn’t we know about these in OC?

    February 13, 2015
    Reply
    • myvegtableblog@gmail.com said:

      You guys always spoil me so much while I’m there, I never think about cooking! Xo

      February 13, 2015
      Reply
  2. Mary Beierle said:

    Well, I think we definitely have to add these to the vaca menu! How were the chocolate stones? ❤️

    February 14, 2015
    Reply
    • myvegtableblog@gmail.com said:

      We will have an entire menu set up for my next trip! It took me forever to try the “stones”…really delicious! The red ones were caramel and the brown had a rich, praline filling. Yum!

      February 17, 2015
      Reply
  3. Monique said:

    Yummy and soooo pretty! I love pancakes/waffles etc with strawberries, can’t get enough! Where on Earth did you get those chocolate stones? Those are beautiful! Is there a filling? Do tell!

    February 16, 2015
    Reply
    • myvegtableblog@gmail.com said:

      The chocolate stones came from Fresh Market. I bought them for Ed, but thinking he may not get the whole package! The red ones had a caramel filling and the brown ones–not shown in the pic–had a praline filling. Tasty, but I felt guilty eating them…so pretty!

      February 17, 2015
      Reply
      • Monique said:

        Grabbed them, ate them, loved them, go Fresh Market!!

        March 4, 2015
        Reply
        • myvegtableblog@gmail.com said:

          I did too! Ed let them sit around too long…I couldn’t let them go to waste! Did you try them in your coffee?

          March 4, 2015
          Reply

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