Best Buttermilk Pancakes

This is the basic pancake recipe I've been waiting for. Nothing fancy or unusual about this breakfast specialty. Easy to whip up on a whim and reliably satisfying. We've had pancakes for breakfast and/or lunch or dinner several times over the last few weeks. Pregnant and picky, I eat whatever sounds good to me (and that I can get down without regretting) and lately, this has been it! Luckily, my husband loved them too and hasn't complained about the pancake overdose- yet. This makes a big batch (if you're only serving 2 1/2), but the best part is they can be frozen and reheated to enjoy later. Pop 'em in the microwave to defrost followed by a minute in the toaster and you've got breakfast on the go! They're perfect served with butter and syrup. Or opt for Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey, and out-of-season strawberries, like me.

On a non-food note, I was lucky and thrilled to get a Canon Rebel camera for Christmas. I've yet to use it out of automatic mode though. (And this is the first picture it has taken to grace this blog.) I'm a DSLR novice and currently know nothing about manual settings. I'm amazed that's I've gotten by the last three years using a point and shoot and figure it's about time I learned how to be a "real" photographer. But just a warning that my photos will probably get worse before they get better. I'm fully expecting to suck at first. We've signed up for a photography workshop and have some expert friends who have offered to show us the ropes. I'd be happy for any recommendations on photography books, websites, or classes (preferably in the Richmond vicinity) that could help a girl out...

Best Buttermilk Pancakes

INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour (I used 1 cup all-purpose and 1 cup white whole wheat flour)
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups buttermilk
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat griddle over medium heat (we set our electric griddle at 350 F).

2. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, butter, and egg together. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently whisk until just incorporated with a few lumps remaining (don't overmix, the batter will be fairly thick).

3. Brush the preheated griddle with butter. Pour batter in 1/4-cup portions onto the griddle and cook until golden brown and bubbling. Flip and cook until golden on the other side. Serve warm.

Makes 12-15 pancakes.

(Adapted from One She Two She)

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Frosting

I'm back! With a recipe, finally! And hopefully there will be more to come over the next few months before baby girl arrives. I was in the mood to make something sweet to celebrate the New Year and found this recipe of Paula Deen's. Red velvet has always intrigued me, so I decided to attempt an easy version of the classic cake in the form of a cookie (or actually whoopie pie). While the shape might be unusual, this recipe includes all of the traditional elements of red velvet- cocoa powder, buttermilk, and mounds of cream cheese frosting. My only complaint is that this recipe makes a bit too much frosting, if there is such a thing. I'm sure you'll find a use for the excess though. Or just start by halving that part of the recipe and see how it goes. I thought these were delicious- the cake is soft and chewy, the filling is rich and creamy, and the toasted pecans added the perfect bit of crunch.

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Frosting

INGREDIENTS
Red Velvet Whoopie Pies:
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. buttermilk
2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. red food coloring

Cream Cheese Frosting:
16 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup toasted pecans, finely chopped (optional)

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs 1 at a time. Then beat in the buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla, and red food coloring. Once combined, add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until thoroughly combined.

3. Drop batter into rounded mounds on the prepared baking sheet using a small ice cream/cookie scoop or a tablespoon. Bake in preheated oven for about 10 minutes, until set. (The cookies should be cake-like and light.) Remove cookies from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. To make the cream cheese frosting, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until light and fluffy. Spread the frosting between two cooled cookies and roll the edges in pecans, if desired.

Makes 16-20 sandwich cookies.

(Recipe from Food Network)