It’s Sunday morning. My handsome husband is asleep next to me. There’s something romantic about the morning light peaking in through the blinds and touching his face so gently. It’s quiet for the most part, the only sound heard is early risers driving down the street and a dog barking in the distance. As I open my eyes to the sun I realize It’s early. My clock reads 6:30am. I think to myself, “No wonder Landon is still asleep.”. I throw a t-shirt over my tired body, brush my slept-on hair into a messy bun, and head to the grocery store across the street. I love this time of day. While the world sleeps in, I get to be alone with my thoughts for just a little bit before the chaos of the day begins. At the store, I grab all the items I need for a pancake breakfast, check out, and head back. Once I arrive home from the store, I scroll through a playlist and pick out I Say A Little Prayer by Aretha Franklin. I then begin to cook. I swear when I’m in the kitchen I get lost. Lost in the mess of it all and the beautiful creations being made by my very own hands. My heart belongs to the kitchen in some way or another. Here, I feel at home. After an hour and some change I have a plate of hot pancakes, candied bacon, and mimosas. I walk over to that handsome man laying in my bed, set down our breakfast, give him a kiss, and whisper, “Good Morning Clay.”
Moments later, our son Landon wakes up and ruins the romance of our morning. We then laugh, put on cartoons and eat pancakes in bed. The three of us, together – laughing, loving, and eating. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
These pancakes aren’t your typical pancakes you grew up with. Plus, they are easy enough to make that you’ll never buy the boxed mix ever again! Instead of maple syrup and butter, I opted for a luscious cream cheese icing and tangy yet sweet mixed berry compote. It makes these pancakes take on a whole new flavor. I could eat these as breakfast at 9am or dessert at 9pm. With 8 large pancakes, you could feed a big family or just pig out on them by yourself. You’re kids will love them and be begging for more! If there’s any wife out there looking for a good breakfast in bed idea for your husband, this is it. He will swoon over these!
** NOTE: The icing is not only good for these pancakes, but perfect for cinnamon rolls, cookies, danishes, muffins, or really anything you want to sweeten up a bit.
Pair these with CANDIED BACON
ALL AMERICAN PANCAKES:
Makes: about 8 large pancakes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10-15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
1 3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp kosher salt
4 tbsp butter
4 tsp baking powder
2 cups whole milk
1 egg
DIRECTIONS:
In a large mixing bowl add flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Mix with a whisk. In a microwave safe bowl, add milk and butter. Microwave on high for 30-60 seconds till butter is fully melted and milk is slightly hot to the touch. Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and add milk and butter, whisking to combine. Add egg and continue to store till all ingredients come together. The mixture should be slightly thick and have small little lumps in it.
Heat non stick pan to a medium low heat. You don’t want the pan to be too hot or the pancakes will burn on the outside and be raw in the center. Keep the heat medium low to insure the pancake cooks all the way through without burning. Spray the pan with cooking spray and add a small amount of batter using a ladle. Cook for about 2 minutes a side. You’ll know when to flip the pancake when you see bubbles at the top. Don’t flip too soon or the pancake might fall apart.
CREAM CHEESE ICING:
Prep: 1 minute
Total time: 5 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
1.5 cups powdered sugar
3 oz. cream cheese
4 tbsp butter
1 tbsp whole milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS:
In a microwave safe bowl add butter and cream cheese and milk. Microwave on high for 1 minute or until cream cheese and butter are completely melted. Stir to combine. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract to butter and cream cheese mixture. Stir till combined and set aside.
MIXED BERRY COMPOTE:
Prep time: 2 minutes
Cook time: 5-8 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup mixed berries (like strawberries, blueberries and blackberries)
2 the granulated sugar
1/2 lemon, juice and zest of
DIRECTIONS:
Rinse fruit. Cut strawberries in half and remove leaf. I recommend using 1/4 cup of each berry.
Heat a pan to medium heat and add in all ingredients. Stir occasionally while the berries cook and soften. After about 5-8 minutes the berries will be soft and sweet. Turn heat off and set aside.