Kids Cuisine

Pancakes are one food that should be in every parent’s arsenal of secret weapons. Kid have a bad day? It’s “Breakfast for Dinner Night” to the rescue! Kid have a good day? Celebrate with “Breakfast for Dinner Night!” And there’s no shame in serving pancakes for dinner, especially when everyone’s in a rush. They cook up quickly, can incorporate healthy ingredients without provoking complaints from the kids, and are much better for everyone than whatever you can pick up or order out from your closest fast-food place. Plus, leftovers make a great breakfast or even lunch the next day. Cold pancakes for lunch? Absolutely. Just spread some peanut butter or cream cheese between two of these Apple Pie Pancakes and get ready to start making extras for every other kid at your child’s lunch table. Enjoy!

Apple Pie Pancakes

• 1 large baking apple, peeled, cored, and chopped into thin bits
• 1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup sugar, divided (use more or less depending on the sweetness of your apple)
• 2 cups milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder

Place chopped apple in a small mixing bowl and sprinkle with the apple pie spice and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Toss gently to coat and let sit while you prepare the batter.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine milk, eggs, oil, vanilla, and remaining sugar. Beat with a whisk until well blended and foamy. Add flour and baking powder and whisk quickly to combine, beating until most of the lumps are gone. Fold in diced apple.

Spray griddle or electric skillet with nonstick cooking spray and heat to medium-high. Scoop about 1/4 cup batter for each pancake onto the skillet. Cook until golden brown and bubbles on the top burst, then turn and cook the other side. Keep warm on a platter in the oven until all pancakes are done. Serve with butter and maple or caramel syrup, if desired.

Leftovers can be cooled, wrapped in plastic with waxed paper between the layers, and frozen.

Makes 6 servings