A Southern Grace: pumpkin spice explosion

September 9, 2014

pumpkin spice explosion

Yum

There is such an obsession with pumpkin spice right now! Lattes, bread, muffins, donuts, even chewing gum--everywhere you look, there's something pumpkin-spiced.


For the record, I love the spices in the beloved pumpkin spice blend. I just don't love pumpkin (contrary to what you might believe based on my plethora of pumpkin posts...). If the spices mask the pumpkin flavor enough, I'm on board, but if the taste of pumpkin is overwhelming, I'll pass.

One thing on which I'll NEVER pass is eating breakfast for dinner. (How's that for a segue?) I'd probably be content eating breakfast foods for all meals every day, at least for a little while. I like it all, everything from eggs to cinnamon rolls to cereal, but one of my favorite breakfasts is pancakes.


Is there a better way to greet fall than with pumpkin spice pancakes...for dinner? I don't think so. Well, maybe if you top said pancakes with a browned butter syrup; that'd probably make the meal even more awesome. I started with a box of Krusteaz® Pumpkin Spice Pancake Mix and ended with a stack of pancakes that were crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, spiced to perfection, and taken to the next level with orange juice and zest, toasted pecans, and the decadent aforementioned syrup.


This mix is so versatile--think of the things you could add to the pancakes or as an accompaniment: chopped bacon, cinnamon-honey butter, maple whipped cream, apple cider syrup. That's just to start. The beauty of the mix, though, is that the pancakes it makes don't need any extra help to be delicious--they're amazing as-is. If you're already fully on board the pumpkin spice train or if you're thinking about jumping on, you won't be disappointed with this mix! Plus, eating them for dinner somehow makes them tastier and even more fun. Hello, fall.

Orange-Pecan Pumpkin Spice Pancakes with Browned Butter Syrup
Makes 8 large pancakes or 16-20 regular pancakes
Ingredients:
  • 1 package Krusteaz® Pumpkin Spice Pancake Mix
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • Zest of one orange
  • 1 cup toasted, chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup butter, cubed
  • 1 cup good quality maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
First, make the syrup. In a small heavy saucepan, cook butter over medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
Add the maple syrup and stir to combine.
Remove from the heat and add the cinnamon and vanilla extract. Serve warm.
To make the pancakes, heat a lightly greased griddle to 375 degrees F (medium heat).
Stir together pancake mix, water, orange juice, orange zest, and pecans with a wire whisk. Batter will be slightly lumpy. (Do not overmix.)
Let batter stand 2 minutes. For normal-sized pancakes, pour slightly less than 1/4 cup batter per pancake onto griddle.
Cook pancakes 1 to 1-1/4 minutes per side, or until golden brown, turning only once.
Serve warm with extra butter, if desired, and browned butter syrup.



Naked.

24 comments:

Marjie said...

It's getting to be pumpkin season! Bread, pie - your pancakes are inspirational, and maybe the recipe could be adapted for waffles!

Joy said...

Just add a few pieces of sausage with stack of these pancakes, and you're set for the day!

vanillasugarblog said...

grace is it pumpkin season already?
i am so not ready. summer went by way too fast this year.

~~louise~~ said...

I'm a huge fan of breakfast for dinner, Grace. Which reminds me, I haven't decided on one for this week. I've seen the Krusteaz Pumpkin Spice Pancake Mix in the stores lately, I may just need to give it a try! I'd love to try it with some Apple Cider Syrup, oh yum!!!

Thanks for sharing, Grace...

Unknown said...

I do love pumpkin, but I think so much of what makes it tasty (to all) are the deep spices that go with pumpkin. Few people think that way though! These pancakes look divine!!

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Barbara said...

Those look divine, Grace. I agree....I could eat breakfast for dinner every day! I prefer waffles though, I always think they're lighter. Hah. Fooling myself as I drown them in syrup and I want bacon too.

Pam said...

YUM! I love pumpkin anything and these pancakes have me drooling.

Angie's Recipes said...

Love pumpkin season! These pancakes look so fluffy and soft.

Beth said...

Browned butter syrup? That's worth a blog post of its own!
(P.S. your pancakes sound terrific, too.)

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies said...

It is sooo cold here this morning. These pancakes would be a perfect way to warm up and get out from under my blankie!!

Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic said...

I like breakfast for dinner too (or all day). I like how you paired pumpkin with orange!

Gloria Baker said...

Grace I love this look amazing always I love pumpkin!

Erica said...

I am not a huge pumpkin fan either!But these pancakes look amazing!

Marcela said...

wow! i love your recipe! great job! Btw. I really like your site! I'm going to visit your blog very often!

I Wilkerson said...

Aren't pancakes wonderful and versatile? Sounds like a great combo!

All That I'm Eating said...

Sounds great, just in time for Autumn too!

Come n' eat said...

OK. I love the idea of this recipe. So what do I do if I don't have the Pumpkin pancake mix, but do have fresh cooked pumpkin (That I would use for pie...) instead?

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

OK Grace this is a bit of torture because it is 11am and I haven't eaten breakfast and I just want these! :o

Joanne said...

Breakfast for dinner is my favorite meal of the day! How did you know? Love these.

lisa is cooking said...

I do love pumpkin spice season! And breakfast for dinner. The browned butter syrup sounds delightful with these pancakes!

grace said...

@Exploited: that's a very good question, and one to which i don't have a good answer! there's bound to be a plethora of pancake recipes out there using fresh pumpkin, but i don't have one. :(

Jo-Lynne Shane said...

OMG YUM!!!!!

Carolyn Jung said...

Who can believe it's time for pumpkin goodies already? But I love pumpkin so much in baked goods, it makes the end of summer easier to take.

Ab@c Penley said...

Grace...those look tasty.

My go-to pancakes recently have been bacon cheddar (who doesn't love bacon) for a sweet and salty pancake as well as peanut butter banana pancakes. I'll have to try these as well.