Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

Ingredients

• 2 large apples ($1.50)
• 2 Tbsp butter ($0.28)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon ($0.05)
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.08)
• 1 Tbsp water ($0.00)
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour ($0.30)
• 1.5 tsp baking powder ($0.05)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda ($0.03)
• 1/2 tsp salt ($0.03)
• 1 tsp cinnamon ($0.10)
• 3 Tbsp granulated sugar ($0.05)
• 1 cup buttermilk* ($0.53)
• 1 large egg, beaten ($0.22)
• 1/4 cup butter, melted ($0.56)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract ($0.30)
• 1 Tbsp butter (for cooking pancakes) ($0.14)

Instructions

1. Peel, remove the core, and dice the apples.
2. Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a small pot over medium-low heat. Add the diced apples, cinnamon, brown sugar and water to the pot. Stir together and allow the apples to come up to a simmer. Cook the apples for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender. Remove the pot from the heat and cover with a lid to keep warm.
3. While the apples are cooking, start on the pancakes. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and granulated sugar.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the same bowl as the dry ingredients. Stir together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this point. The batter will be a little thick.
6. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once hot add ½ Tbsp of butter and swirl around to coat the surface. Add about ¼ cup pancake batter to the hot skillet. I like to cook two pancakes at a time.
7. Cook the pancakes until bubbles form over the surface and begin to pop. The edges and bottom of the pancakes will also start to become golden brown (about 60-90 seconds). Now flip the pancakes and cook on the second side until golden brown (about 30-60 seconds).
8. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more butter to the skillet between batches or as needed, until all of the pancakes have been cooked. Keep the pancakes warm on a plate under a towel or on a baking sheet in a warm oven until all of the pancakes have been cooked.
9. Now serve the pancakes with several spoonfuls of cooked cinnamon apples on top and a drizzle of warm maple syrup. Enjoy!