Saturday, February 23, 2013

....pan"cake" play date.....

....I have written many times about how our family throws birthday parties on the odd years......so far, it has worked well for us......big bashes at 1, 3 and most recently, 5......and quiet events with plenty of festivity for 2 and 4.....I am not sure it will last forever, but it is a good balance of showing our children that celebration comes in many forms.....

....some years, we do it big.....other years, it is a low key intimate way to ring in a new year ahead.....on the even years, the birthday child gets some special time with Momma and Daddy......we have seen Sesame Street live.....we have taken a little one to see the Macy's Day balloons being filled with air, we have had good meals with dialogue only revolved around the one we are celebrating.....

....this year, our blooming almost 4 year old performer wanted to see a real show, so we are off to see Mary Poppins before the famous nanny leaves Broadway for good.....

....and because I realize that half of the fun is blowing out candles and laughing with besties, we had a play date yesterday morning with 8 friends and I served pan"cakes"......


.....inspired by pinterest, I whipped up a batch of birthday pancakes......half flour, sugar and eggs and the typical other breakfast pancake ingredients; but with an additioanl few heaping spoonfuls of yellow cake mix added to the mix.....throw in a few colored sprinkles and you have yourself several littles cheering and begging for breakfast!.......


....now my photo did not turn out half as amazing as the one that initially inspired me......I had 11 excited babes waiting for the delivery of the sweet cakes and some frosting that was not the exact consistency I was going for.....so I snapped fast before the liquid sugar puddle began to drip and before my rowdy crowd turned into a full on brawl.....


....one thing is for sure, the birthday girl did not mind how the frosting turned out.....



.....and neither did any of our sweet and rowdy house guests......


.....the recipe is below for you to try this at home.....adults and littles alike will all savor them......

Cake Batter Pancakes
Dry Ingredients:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow cake mix
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
2 eggs, beaten
1 ½ cups buttermilk
½ cup milk
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Other Ingredients:
½ cup multi colored sprinkles
Syrup (or a Quick Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3-4 tablespoons milk)
Non-stick cooking spray
Directions:
Whisk together dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients. Preheat griddle to 325º-350ºF and spray with non-stick cooking spray (or grease with butter).
When griddle is ready to go, add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk to combine. Lastly, fold in the sprinkles. Scoop 1/3 – ½ cup portions of the batter onto prepared griddle, leaving space between them. Cook until bubbles start to form and bottom side is golden brown. Flip and cook until remaining side is golden brown also. Remove to a plate and cover until ready to serve. Repeat with remaining batter.

.....Enjoy!....