Let’s have a Pancake Party!

Let's Have a Pancake Party! by JavaCupcake.com

Happy National Pancake Day and to celebrate I had a Pancake Party!  Three of my awesome friends and I got up bright and early and made some of the yummiest pancakes ever!  It was so much fun and such a simple way to bring friends together.

We started the morning with giant cups of coffee and a big bowl of pancake batter.  I had blueberries, strawberries, lemons, raspberry puree, cinnamon, sugar, cream cheese, pumpkin, powdered sugar and maple syrup to create our pancakes with.  We decided on three different variations… Lemon Blueberry, Strawberry Overload, and Cinnamon Roll.

Lemon Blueberry – This is one of my all time favorite flavor combinations.  It’s light, fresh and so good.  Sweet, tart together is just sublime.  The flavor of lemon in these pancakes is just the right amount and paired with the blueberry… it’s perfect!

Strawberry Overload – Strawberries in the pancake and on the pancake.  It’s a strawberry lovers DREAM.  The only thing that might make these better… strawberry whipped cream!  hehe Maybe next time!

Cinnamon Roll – Let’s keep it real for a minute and get really honest.  These pancakes… I felt guilty with every bite.  It’s so good… yet sooo bad.  Full of sugar, butter, cinnamon, cream cheese…. yeah, I felt like I was eating a Cinnabon.  These pancakes were so incredible good… I can’t see how you’d not want to make them.  Seriously.

Yum.  Yum and Yum!

The greatest thing about these pancakes were that they were all made with the same buttermilk pancake batter and spiced up with different ingredients! You could do so many variations of pancakes with this batter… the possibilities are limitless!

So… go make some pancakes and enjoy National Pancake Day!

Buttermilk Pancakes

Prep Time: 6 minutes

Yield: Enough for 4-6 people

2-3 pancakes

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the melted butter, vanilla and buttermilk and whisk until smooth.
  2. In another bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and whisk until smooth, about 25 strokes.
  4. Heat your skillet or griddle to medium heat. Pour 1-2 Tbsp vegetable oil on the skillet and spread with a paper towel to coat the surface.
  5. Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the griddle. Cook until bubbles form and pop uniformly across the top of the pancake. Flip over and cook until golden brown. NOTE: Don't be tempted to turn up the heat on your griddle. Cooking these pancakes low & slow will allow them rise and get fluffy! Slow and low makes these pancakes perfect!
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Lemon Blueberry Pancakes by JavaCupcake 2

 

Blueberry Lemon Pancakes

Ingredients

  • Buttermilk Pancake Recipe (above)
  • 1 lemon, zested & juiced
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1-2 cups fresh blueberries

Instructions

  1. Prepare the buttermilk pancake batter.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, press the lemon zest into the sugar using the back of your spatula.
  3. Gently fold the zest and lemon juice into the batter.
  4. Prepare the skillet the same as you would for the buttermilk pancakes.
  5. Scoop 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the skillet.
  6. After about 30 seconds of cooking, press 6-8 blueberries into the pancake. Use a toothpick to cover the blueberries with a little bit of batter from the pancake... being careful not to disrupt the bottom of the pancake.
  7. Once the bubbles have formed and popped on the top of the pancake, flip it over and continue cooking until golden brown.
  8. Serve with more blueberries on top and fresh grated lemon zest.
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Lemon Blueberry Pancakes by JavaCupcake.com

Strawberry Overload Pancakes by JavaCupcake

Strawberry Overload Pancakes

Yield: Enough for 4-6 people

2-3 pancakes

Ingredients

  • Buttermilk Pancake Batter (above)
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries
  • 1-2 Tbsp sugar
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the buttermilk pancake batter.
  2. Slice half the strawberries into 1/8in slices and set aside
  3. Dice the remaining strawberries into small chunks and place in a bowl. Add 1 Tbsp lemon juice and 1-2 Tbsp sugar (depending on how sweet you want them). Using a potato masher, smash the berries until they have broken down by half.
  4. Prepare the skillet the same as you would for the buttermilk pancakes.
  5. Scoop 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the skillet.
  6. After about 30 seconds of cooking, press 4-6 strawberry slices into the pancake. Use a toothpick to cover the strawberries with a little bit of batter from the pancake... being careful not to disrupt the bottom of the pancake.
  7. Once the bubbles have formed and popped on the top of the pancake, flip it over and continue cooking until golden brown.
  8. Serve covered with mashed strawberries, fresh grated lemon zest and a dusting of powdered sugar.
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Strawberry Overload Pancakes by JavaCupcake.com

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes by JavaCupcake.com

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Yield: Enough for 4-6 people

2-3 pancakes

Ingredients

    Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
  • Buttermilk Pancake Batter (recipe above)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
  • Cream Cheese Drizzle
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 Tbsp cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • pinch of salt
  • cinnamon for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the buttermilk pancake batter.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, whip together the cream cheese and butter using a hand mixer. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, salt and heavy cream and whip for 2 minutes until light, fluffy and smooth. Spoon into a squeeze bottle or piping bag with a small round tip. Set aside.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon and mix until smooth. Spoon into a squeeze bottle or piping bag with a small round tip. Set aside.
  4. Prepare the skillet the same as you would for the buttermilk pancakes.
  5. Scoop 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the skillet.
  6. After about 30 seconds of cooking, squeeze a swirl of sugar into the top of the pancake creating the look of a cinnamon roll.
  7. Once the bubbles have formed and popped on the top of the pancake, flip it over and continue cooking until golden brown.
  8. Serve pancakes swirl side up. Drizzle the cream cheese over the top and dust with cinnamon.
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Cinnamon Roll Pancakes by JavaCupcake.com

Strawberry Shortcake

The weather has been so beautiful lately (minus the thunderstorm this morning) and I’ve been dying to make strawberry shortcake!  Last week on my favorite daytime tv show, The Chew, Carla made a strawberry shortcake that looked so amazingly delicious that I knew I had to find her recipe and make it myself!

This shortcake makes enough for 12 servings and can be easily made in two batches for a larger group… but for me, I don’t want to share… I might be eating most of this myself.  I LOVE biscuits and I LOVE strawberries.

Nom.

Nom nom nom.

NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM!

Go get some strawberries and make this!

Strawberry Shortcake

51

Total Time: 2 hours

Yield: 12 strawberry shortcakes

Lemon zest & sour cream bring life to these biscuits topped with fresh sliced strawberries and a lemon & mint infused whipped cream!

Ingredients

    Biscuit
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • zest of 1/2 lemon

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt

  • 5 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1/2 cup cold sour cream
  • 1/3 cup cold milk
  • 1 Tbsp cold water

  • 2-3 Tbsp Turbinado Sugar (Sugar in the Raw)
  • Whipping Cream
  • 400ml heavy cream
  • 3 5in sprigs of mint, leaves removed and torn in half
  • zest of 1/2 lemon + lemon peel, cut into strips

  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • Strawberries
  • 6 cups fresh strawberries, cleaned and sliced
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla

Instructions

    Biscuit
  1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees and move baking racks to upper third of the oven. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and generously grease or spray with cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, press lemon zest into sugar using the back of your spatula until the sugar becomes fluffy.
  3. Add the flour, baking powder and salt and whisk until well combined.
  4. Cut the butter into the flour using a fork until no large chunks of butter remain. Use your fingers if that's easier for you.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, milk and water.
  6. Make a well in the flour mixture and pour in the milk mixture. Using a spatula, fold ingredients together until just combined. DO NOT OVERWORK THE DOUGH. You want it lumpy, not smooth.
  7. Using an ice cream scoop, drop 12 mounds of dough onto prepared baking sheets.
  8. Sprinkle Turbinado sugar over the top of each biscuit.
  9. Bake about 15 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown.
  10. Immediately remove to wire rack to cool.
  11. Whipping Cream
  12. In a small sauce pan, on high heat, stir together heavy cream, mint leaves, lemon zest and peels until right before boiling point. DO NOT BOIL.
  13. Remove from heat and cool completely.
  14. Strain so that only cream remains. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  15. When ready to use, whip cream in a cold metal bowl of a stand mixer using the whisk attachment until soft peaks form.
  16. Add the sugar and continue whipping until you reached your desired texture and consistency.
  17. Strawberries
  18. Clean and slice strawberries until you have about 6 cups worth.
  19. Toss strawberries with lemon juice, sugar and vanilla extract. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow flavors to come together and juices to form.
  20. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  21. Assembly
  22. Place one biscuit in a bowl. Scoop 1/2 cup of strawberries on to the biscuit, making sure lots of juice from the berries is included.
  23. Dollop a generous scoop of whipped cream on top.
  24. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Notes

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Strawberry Lemonade Scones

I’ve been trying to get into the kitchen at least once a week lately.  I just have to.  Baking is what makes me feel like… me.  So, this morning I whipped up a batch of scones.  Not just any scones though…

Strawberry

Lemonade

Scones

Yah… I said it.  Two of the most perfect fruits paired together to make a sweet and tart delicious breakfast treat!

I actually wanted to make these over the weekend for my family, but when I went to the store to buy the berries…. they were all out!!  How rude of them to be out of berries when I needed them.

I was inspired to make these scones by Munchkin Munchies.  She made a strawberry lemonade scone and it looked so yummy!  But, I’m lazy and didn’t want to make lemon curd to top it with… so I came up with my own recipe to incorporate the lemon more into the dough to create a stronger lemon taste.

I’m thinking they turned out pretty darn amazing!

Enjoy!

Strawberry Lemonade Scones

51

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 6-8 scones, depending on size

Ingredients

    Scones
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 8 Tbsp cold unsalted butter

  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • zest from one large lemon or 2 Tbsp
  • 1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cold buttermilk

  • 1 heaping cup fresh strawberries, cut into chunks

  • Turbinado sugar or Sugar in the Raw

  • Flour - for kneading and work surface
  • Lemon Glaze
  • 1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tsp milk

Instructions

    Scones
  1. Place rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 425 F degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, lightly spray with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, press lemon zest into sugar using the back of a spatula. Add the lemon juice, egg yolk and butter milk and whisk until just combined. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter using a fork and your fingers until no large chunks of butter remain.
  4. Add the sugar mixture to the flour, stirring to make a soft dough.
  5. Fold in the strawberries. NOTE: Dough will get sticky with the addition of the berries.
  6. Turn out onto a generously floured board and knead about 15 times or until the outside of the dough is no longer sticky.
  7. Pat/press dough until it's 1 inch thick. Cut into 6-8 squares and sprinkle with Turbinado sugar.
  8. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes or until edges and top turn golden brown.
  9. Remove to wire rack to cool.
  10. Glaze
  11. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, juice and milk.
  12. Drizzle over cooled scones.
  13. Sprinkle more Turbinado sugar over glaze.
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Strawberry M&M Rice Krispy Treats

A few days ago, I had an appearance on the morning show on AFN Bavaria radio so I made a batch of Rice Krispy treats to share with everyone in the studio!  I also brought a plate to my husband’s office.

They were gone in 5 minutes.

Seriously, go buy yourself a bag of Strawberry marshmallows, a bag of M&M’s and make these.  Simple, quick, easy and SO GOOD!

Strawberry M&M Rice Krispy Treats

51

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 16 squares

A fun twist on the traditional krispy treat! This pink, strawberry and chocolate Rice Kripsy treat is sure to please everyone!

Ingredients

  • 6 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 10oz bag of Strawberry jumbo marshmallows
  • 6 cups Rice Krispy cereal
  • 1 bag of pastel M&Ms
  • butter - to grease pan
  • wax paper

Instructions

  1. Generously grease a 13x9x2in pan.
  2. In a large bowl, measure Rice Krispy cereal. Mix in all but 1/2 cup of M&M's. Set aside.
  3. In a large heavy pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
  4. Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until melted. Remove from heat.
  5. Add the cereal and M&M's to the pot and mix with a large wooden spoon until completely incorporated into the marshmallow mix.
  6. Press mixture into greased pan using a piece of buttered wax paper and top with remaining M&Ms.
  7. Allow to cool before cutting into squares.
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Very Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry shortcake=summer.  It’s such a fresh and fun dessert and it makes me happy…

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Tiramisu Bundt Cake with Kahlua Mascarpone Glaze

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Birthday Trio

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Triple Berry Pie

For Easter this year I wanted to make something a little more traditional for dessert. Last year, I made a super cute bunny cake and basket cupcakes which were a big hit, but being in Germany without my big family and lots of kids to bake for, I needed something simpler and smaller.  PIE!

I’m not gonna lie. I hate making pie crust from scratch. It’s a pain in my behind. I know, I know… it tastes sooooo much better than store bought, but without all my baking supplies (aka my rolling pin or glass pie pans) I wasn’t about to try to make a pie crust from scratch here. I do however think that the Pillsbury pre-made pie crusts are quite delicious and no one will ever know it came from a box!

And yes… I could have gone to the local market here and gotten all fresh fruits for this pie, which seriously, you totally can when you make it, but out of convenience and cost, I went with frozen berries.

 

JavaCupcake’s Simple Triple Berry Pie
Makes 2 – 9in pies.

2 cups strawberries, frozen (1 small bag)
2 cups raspberries, frozen (1 small bag)
2 cups blackberries, frozen (1 small bag)
1 ¼ cup sugar + more for dusting
Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
6 tbsp butter
1 egg + 2 tbsp water, beaten for the egg wash
2 boxes Pillsbury pre-made pie crusts

  1. Preheat oven to 425 F. Place racks on two lowest shelves and place a cookie sheet on the bottom shelf to catch all the dripping juices.
  2. In a large bowl, fold together the berries, sugar, zest and lemon juice.  Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
  3. While the berries are resting, roll out your pie dough into your 9in pie pans, leaving at least ½ inch hanging over the edge.  Cut the second sheet of dough into ¾ in strips.
  4. Fold the flour into the berries then distribute evenly into your two pans.  Brush the egg wash along the edges.
  5. Cut the butter into small pieces and place over the top of the berries.
  6. In a lattice pattern, arrange the strips of dough on top of the berries.  Cut off any excess dough that hangs over the edge from the lattice dough only.  Fold the edges of the bottom dough over and crimp.  Egg wash the entire top of the pie then sprinkle with more sugar.
  7. Bake for 30 minutes at 425 F degrees then reduce heat to 375 F degrees for 60-75 more minutes or until the crust is golden brown.  If you see that the edges of the pie are getting too brown, use foil or a pie ring to cover the edges to keep from burning.
  8. Cool for 30 minutes on a wire rack before serving.

Strawberry Jam Tea Cakes

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Amanda’s Strawberry Lemon Bars

My nieces came over this weekend and my 12 year old niece (who let me tell you looks more like she’s 16) helped me in the kitchen.  Amanda and I made lemon bars topped with strawberries and a dusting of powdered sugar, oh and a butter crust.  Yes… it does sound THAT good. [Read more...]

Cute kitties gone BAD & a few lessons learned

If my cats didn’t have their moments when they were so cute… if I didn’t feel guilty at the thought of getting rid of my cats… if one of them wasn’t a gift to my daughter for her birthday… [Read more...]