Apple Pie Pancakes

Generally speaking, I hate breakfast food.

Cereal is out because I don't drink milk, and cheerios with soymilk tastes more than a little...off. Omelets make the house smell like melted plastic and eggs jiggle around on the plate like the jelly-like chunks in a can of dog food. A piece of toast with peanut butter is delicious, but doesn't satisfy me past my nine o'clock Lit. class. I will never be seduced by biscuits and gravy, I would not eat toaster strudel if you paid me, but Apple Pie Pancakes I could eat all day long.

These pancakes positively kick Bisquick's cute little ass, and more than just your taste buds will be satisfied. Wheat germ, ground flax and walnuts provide essential vitamins, minerals and healthy fats that will keep you running on the healthy fuel you need. Breakfast is a tremendously important meal of the day, your body has literally been fasting for hours without nourishment, and the way that you break that fast (get it? Break-fast) greatly influences how you feel throughout your day. Rather than trying to jump-start your body with processed foods, eat something that actually tastes wonderful and will leave you feeling happy, healthy and wide awake.

Apple Pie Pancakes

2 Eggs

¼ c. Applesauce

2 Tb. Canola oil

2 c. Soymilk

2 tsp. Baking soda

½ c. Wheat germ

2 Tb. Ground flax seed

½ tsp. Sea salt

1 tsp. Granulated sugar

1 ½ c. Whole-wheat flour

1 Apple (red or green), chopped into small chunks

½ c. Chopped walnuts, roasted

1 tsp. Cinnamon

2 tsp. Brown sugar

½ tsp. Nutmeg

Honey (if desired)

1. In a medium bowl, beat together eggs, applesauce, oil and milk.
2. Stir in baking soda, wheat germ, ground flax, salt, sugar and flour until everything is completely blended together. Set aside.
3. Using a non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat, sauté the apple, walnuts, cinnamon, brown sugar and nutmeg until the apples become slightly softened, stirring often.
4. Remove the apple mixture from the heat and allow it to cool for several minutes.
5. Meanwhile, wash the skillet (or use a griddle), spray it with cooking oil and heat it over medium-low heat.
6. Stir the apple mixture into the pancake batter.
7. Scoop the batter onto the skillet, using approximately 1/2 cup for each pancake, and brown it on both sides, flipping only once. (Spray skillet with cooking oil after each pancake)
8. Serve the pancakes drizzled with honey and topped with any extra apple slices and applesauce.
9. Enjoy!

Makes approximately 10 delicious pancakes.

(Printable Recipe)