Week 20 - Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pancakes

Valentine's day is right around the corner and while I really don't like the holiday (I feel like it's just another made up Hallmark holiday.  Besides, I believe you should show your loved ones how much you care for them each and every day.  And, I find anniversaries to be much more meaningful and significant.  Anywho, I'll get off that soapbox and get back to the pancakes), I do like cooking and baking for the ones I love.  The things I think of when Valentine's day comes around are jewelry, boxes of chocolate, flowers, and chocolate covered strawberries.  

These pancakes are inspired by the chocolate covered fruit.  It's pretty simple actually.  Just take my "Simply Perfect" pancake recipe and add chocolate and cut up strawberries.  To make them a little extra special, I made my own whipped cream topping and garnished with more fruit.  Yum!  Make these for your sweetie on Valentine's day, or any other day you want to treat them to something special.  Jó étvágyat!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries Pancakes

Ingredients

• 2 eggs, separated
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 cups "Simply Perfect" Pancake Mix (See week 5)
• Handful of sliced strawberries
• Handful of chocolate chips
• 1 stick butter, for greasing the pan

Directions

1. Heat an electric griddle or frying pan to 350 degrees F.

2. Whisk together the egg whites and the buttermilk in a small bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the melted butter.

3. Combine the buttermilk mixture with the egg yolk mixture in a large mixing bowl and whisk together until thoroughly combined. Pour the liquid ingredients on top of the pancake mix. Using a whisk, mix the batter just enough to bring it together. Don't try to work all the lumps out.

4. Gently fold in the sliced strawberries and chocolate.

5. Check to see that the griddle is hot by placing a few drops of water onto to the griddle. The griddle is ready if the water dances across the surface.

6. Lightly butter the griddle. Wipe off thoroughly with a paper towel. (No butter should be visible.)

7. Gently ladle the pancake batter onto the griddle.  When bubbles begin to set around the edges of the pancake and the griddle-side of the cake is golden, gently flip the pancakes. Continue to cook 2 to 3 minutes or until the pancake is set.

8. Allow to cool slightly and serve with whipped cream (see recipe below) and more sliced strawberries.  It's important to allow the pancakes to cool slightly or else the whipped cream with melt in to a puddle of milk.    

Whipped Cream

Ingredients

-8 oz Heavy Whipping Cream

-2 tablespoons sugar

-Splash of vanilla extract

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.  With a handheld mixer, whisk until stiff peaks form.