These pancakes are moist, fluffy, crunchy, sweet, and tart. Every bite bursts with the flavors of apple, pecan, buttermilk and a hint of cardamom.
"*" See Kitchen Notes for more information or links to special ingredients.
In a 2 cup glass measuring cup, whisk the egg. Add the coconut oil, vanilla extract, and whisk to blend.
Add enough buttermilk to the egg and oil to make 1 cup. Add the milk and whisk to combine.
To the dry ingredients, add the chopped apples and pecans. Stir to combine.
When the griddle is ready, scoop 1/3 cup batter onto the griddle for each pancake. Cook until the bubbles in the batter pop or until the cooked side of the pancakes are lightly brown, about 3 minutes. Turn. Cook for another 3 minutes or until the pancakes are cooked through. (You can lightly touch the pancakes in the center. They are done when they spring back at your touch. )
Flours – I like using a mix of flours, but if you don’t have spelt flour, you could substitute with whole wheat, rice flour, or just use 1 cup of unbleached AP flour. For a lighter texture, use 1/2 cup unbleached AP flour and 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour.
Pecans – Toasted pecans is always my preference, but I have made these without toasting the pecans and still had excellent results, just a little difference in flavor. If you don’t have pecans, then substitute with walnuts. However, I would not toast the walnuts because toasted walnuts to be overpowering.
Apple – Use whatever apple you have available. Crispy apples stay rather firm during the cooking process, while softer apples become even softer and make the pancakes a little mushy - IMO. I really like a crispy, tart apple like a honey crisp, McIntosh, fuji or gala.
Buttermilk and milk – You could use all buttermilk or substitute some of the buttermilk with regular milk. If you use all milk, your batter will be thinner, making the pancake batter thinner, but it still works.
Speaking of the batter, this is a relatively thick batter, but then we like thick, fluffy pancakes with lots of texture. If you prefer your pancakes thinner, then increase the liquid by 1/4 cup.
Stovetop griddles – If you haven’t invested in a stovetop griddle yet, then it’s time. Even for just the two of us, it makes things like pancakes, French toast, patties, and tortillas so much easier. I can’t remember when I didn’t have one and I don’t know what I would do without it.
Recipe author: MJ of MJ's Kitchen