Cranberry Almond Caramel Pancakes

Definitely a must-try! At our house we do birthday breakfast. Mainly it's because mom just can't wait to start celebrating. I'm terrible at holding off, so I start at about 6:30-7:00 making something wonderful for the birthday king or queen of the day.

This year my daughter turns 17 and I wanted to do something new. Often times we do crepes, or a breakfast casserole, omelettes, etc. Always with flowers and some fruit and a pretty cup of something.

I found this recipe and just had to try it. Of course I had to change it too.

Here goes.

Cranberry Almond Caramel Pancakes
(5 servings)

For The Pancakes:
2.5 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup melted butter
2 large eggs
1/2tablespoon vanilla
1.5-2 cups milk
1cups dried cranberries (soaked in 1/4 cup orange juice or a little hot water to reconstitute)
1/4 cup slivered almonds
Optional : zest of an orange

For The Caramel Sauce:
3/4 sticks butter
3/4 cups brown sugar
3/4 cups heavy cream

1 c Whipping cream and 2 tbsp sugar for whipped cream

Stick a metal bowl and your electric beaters in the freezer to prep for whipping the cream.

Mix all dry pancake ingredients together in a bowl. Put eggs, melted butter, vanilla and milk in another bowl, beat a little and add to dry ingredients. Stir to combine. Add enough liquid to make it thick but not tough. It'll start bubbling up from the baking powder and you'll see if you need a little more milk to make workable. Fold in drained cranberries and slivered almonds and zest if using it.

Butter a griddle heated on medium hi and place 1/4 cup of of batter on griddle. It'll be thick so just poke it to make something like a circle. It'll really puff up so don't worry if it seems small. Should be around 4" diameter. Flip when bubbles appear on surface and edges are dry, and cook the other side to a golden brown.

For the Caramel Drizzle. You can make this while the pancakes cook... Melt butter in a skillet on medium and then add brown sugar. Whisk and continue to cook until mixture comes to a boil. Add add heavy cream while whisking. Reduce heat to a low simmer. Stir and cook until mixture comes together and thickens slightly. As mixture cools down it will thicken. Pour in a gravy boat or bowl to put on the table.

Plate pancakes, top with whipped cream, drizzle caramel sauce, garnish with dried cranberries and almonds.

Makes 5 servings of 3 pancakes each.

Enjoy!