Day 7: Pumpkin Pancake Perfection

If I could eat a pancake a day I would. There is something about biting into a warm fluffy pancake pillow doused in real maple syrup that just can't be replaced by healthier breakfast options like fruit or yogurt. The secret to a great pancake is butter, again, not the healthiest option, but who cares? You have to use real butter to get the crispy and golden brown outside on your pancakes. If you skip using real butter, you end up with sad pale pancakes that are a far cry from pancake perfection. Nix the butter and they look as if they have just come from the microwave rather than hot off your stove with love.

Pumpkin pancakes are no exception to the butter rule. My pumpkin pancakes have butter in them, they are cooked in butter, and sometimes I even put butter on the top. It's glutenous and over the top but that is why I don't eat them everyday. You only live once right? Butter aside, my favorite part of pancakes is not eating them, cooking them, or smelling them; it is the people I share my pancakes with. Family, friends, coworkers, whoever it is, making pancakes brings people together. So readers, this weekend I challenge you to make a big batch of pancakes and enjoy them with the people you love. Because that's what life is all about, right? Family, friends, and butter.

Pumpkin Pancakes

• 1 1/2 cups flours


• 3 tbsp sugar


• 1 tbsp baking powder


• 1/2 tsp salt


• 1 1/4 cups milk


• 1/2 stick melted butter + more for pan


• 2 eggs


• a little vanilla


• 1/3 cup pumpkin pie mix or pumpkin puree


• Pumpkin pie spice to taste

Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl.  In a small bowl whisk the milk, butter, eggs and vanilla together.  Add wet mixture to dry ingredients in two parts and whisk until just combined.  Next, whisk in the pumpkin pie mix/pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice.

Ladle 1/4 cupfuls onto a hot buttered skilled and cook until bubbly, flip and cook until golden on the bottom.  Top with butter, syrup and enjoy!

TIP: If you're not in the habit or just don't have the time to make your pancake batter from scratch feel free to add 1/3 cup pumpkin pie mix or pumpkin puree and a little pumpkin pie spice and sugar to your favorite boxed pancake mix!