Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Pancakes

Pancakes are weekend food. Typically reserved for Saturday and Sunday mornings. But every once in a while I need 'em on say, a Thursday night. This was the case a few days ago—and when the craving for oatmeal cookie pancakes struck at 6 o clock in the evening, I did not question it. I answered the call. 

My oatmeal cookie pancakes do not contain raisins. I repeat, they are not contaminated with raisins. In my world, raisins have no places in cookies or pancakes. These pancakes DO contain mini chocolate chips, however. Throw some in and you won't regret it!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Pancakes

Inspired by Joy the Baker

Makes 8-12 medium-sized pancakes

• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• heaping 1/2 cup old fashioned or quick oats
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
• ¾ teaspoons vanilla extract
• chocolate chips
• cooking spray

In a large bowl beat eggs until frothy. Add buttermilk, butter, honey and vanilla and mix well.

Add flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Mix well until mostly smooth. Fold in chocolate chips and let batter set for a few minutes.

Heat griddle or pan over low to medium heat. Splash a few drops of water in there and observe it. If it pops violently, it's too hot. If it barely does anything, crank the heat up a bit. If it sizzles, it's just right.

Pour 1/3 cup batter onto the griddle. Cook on the first side until tiny bubbles form on the top and pancake edges firm up a bit.

Flip the pancake over with a spatula and cook until golden brown. Repeat until all the batter is gone.

To keep your pancakes warm while the others cook, keep them on an oven proof plate in the oven set to 200 degrees. Serve with maple syrup and fresh fruit, if desired.

Other cravings of note have been for pizza! One of our favorite cheapo pizza joints around here is Cicis. We can stuff our bellies full of salad, pasta, pizza, cinnamon rolls and brownies for under 10 bucks for the both of us. We both have our favorites—mine is deep dish cheesy breadsticks and Gradon's is pepperoni, sausage and jalapeno deep dish pizza. We love that place so dang much.

 

Gradon and I hit the Charlottesville City Market this weekend for the first time. What we found was a bustling little community of plant, food and craft lovers alike. Everything from jewelry stands to bakery booths to taco tents. We picked up a beautiful basil plant to avoid having to shell out 2 bucks every time I make italian food. The thing was huge! Here is Gradon's labor of love planting it. He's already watered it twice today. He was so cute grilling the farmer at the market about where exactly he should trim the leaves and even verifying what he learned on the internet later.

A couple of months ago, we planted a few little flowers and hung a basket from our porch. We've really taken to the little guys and are enjoying watching them grow. We're so lucky to have a yard that we can make our own, even while renting an apartment. It really makes it feel more like home!