Spiced Apple Ring Pancakes [with Vanilla Maca Cinnamon Nice Cream]

While looking for Pancake Sunday inspiration last night, I stumbled across a picture of apple pancake rings on Pinterest and just knew I had to try them out myself. I sliced the apple rings quite thin with the intention of making them warm and soft while they cooked, and that's exactly how they turned out! I love the sweet, juicy apple combined with spicy nutmeg and cinnamon. I also made a batch of vanilla maca cinnamon banana ice cream on the side!! You'll feel like you're eating apple pie and vanilla ice cream for breakfast with no need to feel guilty - this whole dish is incredibly healthy! These pancakes are gluten free and can easily be made vegan.



Serves 1 - Makes about 8 pancakes


You will need:

• 1 large apple (I used Fuji)

Dry Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Buckwheat flour
• 1 tsp apple pie spice 
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp allspice
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp coconut sugar

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup soy milk
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp carton egg whites (or one normal egg white)
• sub 1/2 flax egg for vegan
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Banana Ice Cream:

• 1 ripe, frozen and sliced banana
• 2-4 tbsp soy milk
• 1 tsp maca powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• optional: 1 scoop vegan vanilla protein powder

Directions:

First, prepare your "buttermilk" by combining the milk, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Set aside until the milk curdles, about 10 minutes.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and whisk until well combined. Pour in the buttermilk and egg whites (or flax egg) and stir until just combined. Do not over-mix. The batter will be on the watery side, but that makes it easier to run off the apple slices.

Core your apple using an apple corer. If you don't have an apple corer, cut your apple in half length wise, then core the centers out with a knife. Slice the apple into 1/4 inch thick slices. My apple produced 8 slices. 

Preheat your oven to 200F so you can keep your pancakes warm as you cook them - they are definitely best eaten that way!

Over medium heat, melt a little coconut oil in a pan. Once warm, dip an apple slice into the batter so both sides are covered. Turn the heat down to medium low and transfer to the pan. Cook until the sides bubble, then flip and cook another minute. Place on a baking tray in the warm oven and repeat with the rest of the apple slices.

To make your banana ice cream, place the banana and milk in your food processor and process until smooth. Add the maca, cinnamon and protein powder if you're using it, and process again until combined.

Remove the pancakes from your oven, throw them on a plate and top with your ice cream, then dig in!!

Enjoy! :)