Today we've got a delicious apple cider pancake recipe. The sweet apple cider blends perfectly with the cinnamon, giving a cozy, autumnal flavor. Each bite is a delightful mix of fluffy pancake and soft, spiced apples.
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These pancakes are perfect for cozy autumn mornings or any time you crave something sweet and seasonal. The combination of apple cider and cinnamon brings a delightful twist to traditional pancakes, making them a hit for family breakfasts, holiday brunches, or even as a fun dessert.
My kids call these apple cider donut pancakes, as they remind them of one of their favorite recipes, apple cider donuts.
Their warm, comforting flavors are reminiscent of a stroll through an apple orchard, making them ideal for enjoying during the fall or as a festive treat during the holidays.
If you are looking for other delicious holiday pancakes, be sure to check out our eggnog pancakes or our popular make ahead pancake casserole.
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What You'll Love About This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Simple steps, perfect for beginners.
- Delicious Flavor: The apple cider adds a unique, tangy sweetness.
- Versatile: Great for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat.
- Customizable: Easy to adapt with different toppings or add-ins.
- Family Friendly: Loved by both kids and adults.
Ingredients
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the pancakes just right. It's like the happy sparkle in a smile.
Egg: Acts like a glue, holding everything together and makes the pancakes nice and fluffy.
Apple Cider: The hero of this recipe! It adds a lovely apple flavor that's both sweet and a bit tangy. Imagine biting into a juicy apple; that's the taste we're going for.
Unsalted Butter: It's like a secret ingredient that makes the pancakes rich and helps them cook to a beautiful golden brown.
Whole Wheat Flour: This isn’t just any flour; it gives your pancakes a wholesome, hearty texture. It's like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket.
Baking Soda & Baking Powder: They're the lift-off crew, making your pancakes rise and become fluffy.
Cinnamon: It's the spice that brings a cozy, warm feeling, like a hug in the form of taste.
Salt: Just a little bit, but it makes a big difference in bringing out all the flavors.
Apples: Choose your favorite kind. They add a natural, fruity sweetness to your pancake topping. For cooking, I like honey crisp, pink lady and fuji apples.
Quantities in recipe card.
Equipment
- Medium Bowls: For mixing ingredients.
- Whisk: To combine the batter smoothly.
- Frying Pan or Griddle: To cook the pancakes.
- Spatula: For flipping the pancakes.
- Peeler and Knife: To prepare the apples.
No griddle? A non-stick pan will work just fine.
Instructions
Whisk Together Wet Ingredients: Begin by cracking the egg into a medium-sized bowl. Add the apple cider, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Use a whisk to blend these ingredients until they are well combined.
Mix Dry Ingredients Separately: In a different bowl, sift together the whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Sifting helps to aerate the flour, making your pancakes lighter and fluffier. This mix of dry ingredients will provide structure to your pancakes, so combining them separately ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gently pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir them together using a spatula or spoon until just combined. Remember, a few lumps are okay; overmixing can result in tough pancakes.
Let this batter sit for about 8 minutes. This resting time allows the flour to absorb the liquid, which contributes to a thicker, more consistent batter.
Cook the Apples: While the batter rests, focus on the apple topping. In a small pan over medium heat, cook the chopped apples with cinnamon and sugar.
Stir frequently until the apples are soft and fragrant. This not only creates a delicious topping but also fills your kitchen with a delightful aroma.
*Tip: I suggest making extra cooked apples and setting them aside so you can top your pancakes with the cooked apples. Yum!
Preheat and Grease Your Pan: Heat your pan or griddle over medium heat. It’s ready when a few drops of water sizzle upon contact. Lightly grease it with butter or oil to prevent sticking. This also helps in achieving that golden brown color on your pancakes.
Cook the Pancakes: For each pancake, pour about ¼ cup of batter onto the pan. Watch for bubbles to form on the surface and for the edges to look set – this usually takes about 2 minutes.
These are your cues to flip the pancake. Cook the other side for an additional 1-2 minutes until it’s also golden brown. Control the heat as you cook; if the pan gets too hot, the pancakes may burn on the outside while staying raw in the middle.
Serving: Stack your cooked pancakes on a plate. Spoon the warm, cinnamon-spiced apples over the top and add a drizzle of maple syrup or your favorite syrup. The combination of the fluffy pancake with the sweet and tangy apples creates a delightful texture and flavor contrast.
Enjoy your homemade Apple Cider Pancakes, a delightful twist to your breakfast or brunch menu!
Top Tips
Gentle Mixing: Stir your batter with love, but don't overdo it. Overmixing can make the pancakes tough.
Rest the Batter: Letting the batter sit for a bit is like a short nap for it. It helps the pancakes be their best, fluffiest selves.
Cooking Temperature: Keep your pan just hot enough, not too hot. Think of it like sunbathing; too much sun isn’t good.
Flipping Point: Flip when the bubbles pop and the edges look dry. It's like waiting for the perfect wave before surfing.
Substitutions
- Apple Juice for Apple Cider: If you don't have apple cider, apple juice works as a great substitute. It still gives a nice apple flavor to the pancakes.
- Regular Flour for Whole Wheat Flour: You can use all-purpose flour in place of whole wheat flour for a lighter texture.
- Honey or Maple Syrup for Sugar: For a natural sweetener, try using honey or maple syrup instead of granulated sugar in the batter.
Variations
- Berry Topping: Replace cooked apples with a berry compote for a summer twist. Cook down your favorite berries with a bit of sugar for a delicious topping.
- Chocolate Chip Pancakes: Add chocolate chips to the batter for a sweet, gooey surprise in every bite.
- Nutty Flavor: Mix in some chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for an added crunch and nutty flavor.
- Caramel Drizzle: For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle caramel sauce over your cooked pancakes and apples.
Storage Instructions
Have leftover pancakes? No worries. These apple cider pancakes store just as well as regular ones.
Refrigerator: Place pancakes in an airtight container, and they’ll be good for a few days.
Freezer-Friendly: Layer them with wax paper in the freezer. They’re perfect for those busy mornings when you need a quick, yummy breakfast.
Reheating: Warm them in the oven or toaster oven for the best texture. You could also warm them up in a pan over medium heat.
Apple Cider Pancakes
These Apple Cider Donut Pancakes are the perfect way to start a crisp fall morning, with flavors that remind you of apple picking and warm donuts.
Ingredients
- 1½ tablespoons Granulated Sugar
- 1 Egg, room temperature
- ¾ cup Apple Cider
- 1½ tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted
- 1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 large Apple, cored, peeled and chopped
- Additional 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- Additional ½ tablespoon Granulated Sugar
Instructions
1. In a medium bowl combine egg, apple cider, melted butter and sugar. Whisk until combined.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt together. Add into wet ingredients bowl and stir just until combined. Let the batter sit for eight minutes to thicken.
3. While the batter thickens, cook the chopped apples, cinnamon, and sugar over medium heat, stirring frequently until the apples are soft and tender. Set aside.
4. Heat a large pan or griddle on medium heat.
5. Once griddle is hot, grease it with oil or butter. Pour around ¼ cup of batter for each pancake onto surface. Cook on one side until crust forms around edges, about 2 minutes, then flip and cook on other side for additional 1-2 minutes. Ensure that the pan doesn’t get too hot so that the pancakes can cook evenly.
6. Repeat with the remaining batter.
7. Serve by topping pancakes with a powdered sugar glaze, cooked apples, and maple syrup or any syrup of your choice!
Notes
For the best texture, be careful not to overmix the batter. Just stir until the ingredients are combined. Enjoy your delicious Apple Cider Donut Pancakes!
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