When my husband is out of town (which he is at least once a week) the kids and I frequently make pancakes for dinner. It’s quick and easy, and we don’t get tired of them because there are many ways to top them. Maple syrup is, of course, a great standard topping, but getting creative is half the fun of our pancake dinners.
Here are a couple of recipes I love and some ideas for easy, no-fuss toppings that your kids might find just as tasty as syrup. These toppings are all just as tasty on waffles. Frozen waffles popped in a toaster and then topped with something a little different make a great snack, too.
Cinnamon Apple Syrup
1 cup sugar
2 cups apple juice
2 Tbls. cornstarch
2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 Tbls. lemon juice
2 Tbls. butter
1. Put the sugar, apple juice, cornstarch, cinnamon and lemon juice in a pan. Bring to a simmering boil, stirring constantly until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in butter until melted. Cool a little and serve.
I found this recipe on fishernuts.com, and it was love at first pecan. I’ve changed it a little, but it’s pretty close to the original version.
Banana Nut Topping
5 bananas, cut into 1/2” slices
1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup halved pecans
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons orange juice
1. Heat butter in a large frying pan. Fry banana slices for 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
2. Add pecan halves and brown sugar to pan with fried bananas. Stir in orange juice. Gently stir mixture over medium heat until sugar has melted and mixture is hot.
3. Spoon over pancakes.
Other toppings for pancakes:
Cut up strawberries and sprinkle them with white sugar. Cover and leave in the refrigerator for a few hours. Spoon over pancakes.
Drained canned peaches and powdered sugar make a sweet combination.
Yogurt mixed with honey, syrup, or on its own makes a quick topping.
Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with pancakes.
Melted butter and honey makes a simply sweet combination.