Perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day, yet destined to become a beloved staple in your culinary repertoire, these pancakes promise to elevate your mornings to new heights of coziness and romance.
Vanilla Bean Pancakes
Ingredients:
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• 2 egg yolks
• 4 egg whites, whipped to stiff peaks
• 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
• 1 cup of eggnog
• 1 cup of whole milk
• Softened butter (for greasing the cast iron pan)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, sea salt, and sugar until well combined.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients:
In another bowl, mix together the sour cream, egg yolks, vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract), eggnog, and whole milk until smooth and creamy.
3. Whip the Egg Whites:
In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
4. Fold in the Egg Whites:
Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the wet mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this will deflate the egg whites and result in denser pancakes.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. The batter should be thick and slightly lumpy.
6. Heat the Pan:
Heat a cast iron pan over medium heat and grease it with softened butter.
7. Cook the Pancakes:
Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot pan for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown on both sides.
8. Garnish and Enjoy:
Transfer pancakes to a plate and serve warm, topped with your favorite toppings such as maple syrup, whipped cream, your favorite jam, or fresh fruits!
