Pancakes and Waffles = YUM!

Yay for breakfast! My favorite meal of the day. In the past for pancakes and waffles I would use a store bought mix. It's easy and quick and they usually turn out pretty good. But after finding this recipe, I now make my own mix, it turns out great and is cheaper AND healthier. The kids like it too. It doesn't have that obvious "healthy" taste to it that you might expect. It's a large batch of dry mix that you can keep on hand and then make small batches of pancakes and waffles as you please. Who has time to get all those ingredients, measuring cups, spoons, etc. out in the morning anyway?!?

This recipe is from the Disney's Family Fun Cookbook. I've made a couple changes to it. It called for seven whole grain cereal, which I didn't have so I subbed oats and it turned out fine. I just really like oats anyway. I also upped the sugar slightly in hopes of reducing the amount of syrup needed. Here's my slightly edited version:

Perfect Pancake Mix
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tsp baking soda
4.5 tsp baking powder
1.5 tsp salt
2 TBS sugar
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup corn meal
1 cup oats
4 TBS wheat germ, opt

Sift the first 5 ingredients, then combine with the rest. Store in an air-tight container. If you use wheat germ, it's best to keep the mix in the fridge.

For PANCAKES, combine
3/4 cup dry mix
3/4 cup milk or yogurt
1 egg

For WAFFLES, combine
1 cup dry mix
1 cup milk
2 eggs
2 TBS oil

I have also added vanilla, cinnamon and a mashed banana to the batter with good results (though not all at the same time and the banana waffles were a bit heavier and kinda...mushy-like, but still yummy).

We usually top ours with bananas or berries or both! And some syrup of course. Which reminds me, I really want to get some pure maple syrup, I keep reading about all of its benefits. Whenever I see the price at the store however, I turn cheap and get the artificial stuff :( One of these days I'll splurge.

I made these here waffles the other night for my after dinner snack (yes, you read that right). I was so anxious to tear into them, I forgot I was going to snap a pic. So, here's my half eaten mushy banana waffles topped with blueberries and artificially flavored maple syrup product stuff. Don't they look scrumptious?