I don’t really need an excuse to eat pancakes but I’m always glad to have one when Shrove Tuesday rolls around. Perhaps a lesser known occasion to some, I have so many fond memories of Pancake Day thanks to my Gramma Hatten.
I don’t think she was ever observing the ritual aspect of the day (fats were far too important to her every day cooking) but rather treating us to the best after school snack ever. My siblings, cousins and I would get off the big yellow bus at her house every day after school and run up the lane knowing we’d be greeted with a warm hug and cookie almost daily. But once a year she would surprise us with pancakes and there’s something about an impromptu pancake eating contest at 4pm on a weekday afternoon that has a way of sticking with a kid for life.
So today I’m bringing you a pancake extravaganza. For the main event, I have tested a delicious recipe from Joy the Baker for Maple Syrup Pancake Muffins. I thought this was something a little different to try and that it would make it easier to eat pancakes more regularly (you’re welcome).
The recipe is incredibly easy to execute and calls for nothing that you shouldn’t already have in your pantry or fridge. One note on the ingredient front, table syrup absolutely does not count as maple syrup. If you don’t have the Canadian made real thing, I suggest you head to the store now.
Speaking of the syrup, while the muffin recipe isn’t difficult at all I must admit I had to attempt the glaze twice. I let my first batch get too cool so it hardened and then when I tried to reheat it is actually turned to maple sugar! Fail. My advice, bake your muffins first and then while they cool give the glaze your full attention. Use medium heat to bring the syrup to a simmer and stay close.
T. and I were both impressed with these muffins. They truly did taste like pancakes and we barely missed the flat form of the originals. That said, I figure some of you might be impartial to actual flapjacks for Pancake Day so I’ve rounded up some interesting recipes from around the web just for you. Enjoy!
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