Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

Trying to push birthday cake on a man with no sweet tooth is a thankless
job. I like making cakes, stacked high and swirled with creamy icing.
Problem is my husband doesn't care much for eating them. But for years,
as his birthday approached in late October, I'd ask (hint, suggest,
push) what kind of cake he'd like. No? No cake? Are you sure? How can
you not want cake for your birthday?


It's like giving someone a
gift that you'd love, without any regard to if he or she would actually
like it.


One sweet he does like: pumpkin pie. But again, not a
big dessert guy. So when I finally decided to put an end to my
self-indulgent cake pushing, I came up with these rich and spicy pumpkin
pancakes, capturing the flavors of pumpkin pie for a hearty fall
breakfast.


And really, who could turn down birthday pancakes?


Pumpkin
Spice Pancakes

makes about 12
pancakes


1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup whole wheat
flour

1 tbsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp sugar

1 tsp
cinnamon

1 ½ tsp ground ginger

1/8 tsp grated nutmeg

½ tsp
allspice

2 eggs

1 ½ cups milk

¼ cup Greek yogurt

3 tbsp melted
butter, cooled, plus more for cooking

½ cup canned pumpkin


In a
large bowl, mix all dry ingredients and spices. In another bowl, whisk
together eggs, milk and yogurt. Add cooled melted butter and canned
pumpkin and whisk to combine. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and
mix until just combined. (Lumps are good!)


Heat a pat of butter
over medium high heat in a nonstick skillet. Pour batter into skillet,
about ½ cup at a time depending on the size you like your pancakes. When
small bubbles appear on top, flip the pancakes and cook a few minutes
more. Stack on a platter.

A few
topping ideas beyond maple syrup:


- Stir a little honey
into softened butter and slather on top.

- Add a teaspoon of powdered
cardamom to a cup of heavy cream and whip in a mixer for a spiced topping.

- Sprinkle with toasted
pepitas or pumpkin seeds.