Amazing Pumpkin Spice Pancakes and Vacation Jars

Must. make. more. pumpkin. recipes. After posting about so many delicious recipes, I woke up Saturday morning thinking about these pumpkin pancakes from Pennies on a Platter. I normally prefer waffles, but the waffle iron I have does not know how to make good waffles. It's OK- I was able to suffer through eating these pancakes! :) They're delicious!!! So much better than I expected. The pumpkin flavor is not overpowering at all, and the cinnamon sugar really makes this dish! Please make these soon!

The bf said they were "good" and "nicely cooked"... and then informed me that he does not like pumpkin... WHAT?! He didn't tell me this until now, but he has not had a problem eating the pumpkin muffins or these pumpkin pancakes. Hmm.... I thought I might have needed to find someone else to come over and eat these when I used the leftover batter Sunday morning. But, surprise, surprise the bf gobbled them down again..hmmm all that pumpkin must be killing him!

I also wanted to share our vacation jars with you. I saw this idea at someone's house years ago and couldn't wait to start this tradition! While vacationing, I collect small souvenirs, ticket stubs, etc. in a bag and when I get back I arrange them in a jar to put on display. Tada! Decor AND special memories. It took me while to find the cheap canning jars I had envisioned, but I finally found them last week at the Container Store for around $5! I wish I had remembered this idea sooner, because I've already missed several trips. One of the best parts of making these jars is that you're always on the lookout for fun things to put in your jar and its so cheap compared to buying other souvenirs, since most of the things you put in are FREE. The bf gave me a big thumbs up!

Riviera Maya,Mexico- August 2010

London, England- October 2010.

This jar is just waiting to be filled. Any suggestions on where I should go to fill this baby up? :)

Amazing Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

• 1 1/4 cups AP flour
• 2 TBSP brown sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• dash of ground ginger
• dash of ground cloves
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 large egg
• 2 TBSP melted butter (or vegetable oil)

Preheat oven to 200. Set aside baking sheet or oven-safe platter. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and spices in a large bowl and set aside. Make sure to squish any brown sugar chunks.

In a separate small bowl combine milk, pumpkin, egg and butter.

Slowly incorporate wet mixture into dry mixture. Mix until just combined. The batter may look lumpy- that's OK!

Heat a greased skillet/griddle over medium heat. Pour the patter onto the skillet in 1/3 cup increments. If you want a perfect pancake shape, use the back of a spoon or bottom of measuring cup to shape. As you can tell, I was way too hungry for this step! When bubbles start forming on the top, carefully flip over with spatula.

Let cook a few more minutes until golden brown. Transfer to baking sheet and keep warm in oven while you make all the pancakes, re-greasing pan as needed.

Serve with cinnamon sugar (I made my own) and maple syrup! Mmmmm

And then go back for seconds!

Hope you had a great weekend!