Apples are much-splendored Fall crop. They’re tart and sweet and the small ones are perfect for throwing at squirrels and ugly children. We’re lucky enough to have a tree in our yard, but if you’re not among the apple elite you can check out a local orchard to buy some, provided you can beat the yuppie crowds coming in droves from the city in attempts to recall what nature looks like. Either way, fresh apples are a treat every September and October. You can make cider out of them, but that takes all day. You can make a pie with them, but that’s not worth the effort involved. What can you do that doesn’t use too much of your precious, freshly-picked apples, but still puts them on gastronomical display to enjoy? Why not try some apple pancakes?

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

• 1 cup flour
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp oil

OR

• 1 completed pancake mix batter, single serving

• 3 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 apple
• Additional cinnamon sugar

1. If using premade pancake mix, prepare one serving in a bowl. If working from scratch, combine flour, milk, baking powder, salt, and egg into a bowl and whisk until evenly blended.
2. Add sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to pancake batter and whisk again to mix thoroughly.
3. Place a griddle on stovetop and begin warming on medium-low heat.
4. Cut apple into thin slices, and cut slices into small 1” wide squares/rounds.
5. When griddle is hot, spray with non-stick cooking spray. Pour batter into 5”-6” circles.
6. Let batter cook untouched for approx 1 minute, or until numerous bubbles form and the sides of the pancakes have set and congealed.
7. Set several slices of apple into the pancakes and press lightly into the batter. Spray with non-stick cooking spray.
8. Flip pancakes over with a spatula in one motion.
9. After one more minute, press pancakes down lightly. If batter does not run, flip once again.
10. Cook pancakes on this side for 30 more seconds, then remove and place on plate.
11. Repeat cooking process for remaining batter.
12. Serve pancakes warm with additional apple slices sprinkled with cinnamon sugar on top.

Serves 2-3 people.