Pumpkin Pancakes

My four-year-old informs me that the allspice isn’t “spicy”!

My four-year-old informs me that the allspice isn’t “spicy”!

Pumpkin Pancakes

My son enjoyed the toppling tower of pumpkin pancakes.

My son enjoyed the toppling tower of pumpkin pancakes.

I recently overheard my oldest daughter sharing with her class that her favorite part of fall is carving jack o lanterns.  With our own garden, we have about a dozen pumpkins.  So, every couple of days we carve a pumpkin, enjoy it for a night or two then transform it into pumpkin oatmeal, soup, or - my favorite - pumpkin pancakes. (Our family has tried to cut down on sugar so pumpkin pie is off the table - literally.)

Easy as pie

We’ve had pumpkin pancakes now three times in two weeks.  Each time I’m amazed at the fluffiness of the pancakes and how they seem to magically turn golden brown so much easier than my “base recipe” (which is the exact same as regular pancakes excluding the pumpkin and spices). 

Not even spicy

My middle child Is typically my earliest riser and loves to help mix the batter.  Today, I laugh when I find her with her whole head in the bowl.  She reports to me that the batter is “not spicy”.  Apparently, my husband’s love for spicy foods has driven her to expect allspice to be spicy.

Double batch

We eat the pancakes as they are made, so it usually takes a couple of batches until my husband and I finally get a bite.  The rule of thumb in our household is a pancake for each year old for my kids – necessitating a double batch.

Unsolicited my oldest announces that breakfast was a “double thumbs up”.  My youngest proclaims that “I’m stuffed.”  Both are compliments to the chef!

Moments before our jack o lantern is transformed into pumpkin puree.

Moments before our jack o lantern is transformed into pumpkin puree.

Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe

  • 2 cups flour

  • 1/4 t. salt

  • 1 1/2 t. baking soda

  • 1 1/2 t. baking powder

  • 1/2 t. cinnamon

  • pinch of all spice

  • 2 eggs

  • 1/4 cup canola oil

  • 1 1/2 cups milk plus reserve

  • 1 cup pumpkin (canned or pureed)

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Make a well to mix in the eggs. Stir in remaining ingredients. Add more milk until reach desired consistency. Pour onto a greased and preheated griddle and flip when golden. When second side golden, serve with peanut butter and maple syrup.

Yields 18 pancakes