Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes with Warm Maple Glaze

Sugar... Can't live with it, can't live without it.  We have one of those love/hate relationships, I really love all sorts of sugars, but my waist and hips don't.  Liv, however, has had a love affair with sugar her entire life and so far her hips don't mind.

Born with an inherited sweet tooth, Liv has always been drawn to anything sweet - fruit, gummy worms, marshmallows, and well, plain sugar.  It wasn't until she was about 4 that I actually caught her in the pantry spooning the granulated goodness out of the bin into her mouth, but I think that was only because she couldn't reach it before then.

Years ago as we sat in one of our introductory Girl Scout meetings I had the girls go around the circle saying their favorite foods.  Getting the usual answers of pizza, ice cream and hamburgers I do remember Miley throwing the curve ball of asparagus.  As Liv's turn came around she threw a curve of her own as she smiled, threw open her arms and proclaimed that her favorite food was, you guessed it, "Sugar!!".  Being the leader and her mom I had to smile, realizing we might need to have a talk about what constitutes a "food item"!

Through the years she has learned to control her cravings, but on occasion I still find the empty candy bins shoved under her bed as hidden evidence.  As she trains during her dance season she really tries hard to keep up a good diet filled with proteins, complex carbs and lots of fruits (veggies aren't a favorite) to keep up her energy and health, but summer vacation is a time for treats - or so she has reminded me.

Settling into our routine of leisurely starts to the day I found this recipe placed prominently on top of our electric griddle this morning along with a big smilie face and an "I love you" on a note.  Noting that the recipe has a  decent dose of whole grains in addition to the potassium rich bananas I conceded that these pancakes would be an ideal way to start the day.

While the pancakes cook up nice and fluffy giving off a delectable aroma of bananas combined with the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg, it is the Maple Glaze that takes them over the top.  Pure maple syrup is mixed with a hefty dose of powdered sugar along with a touch of vanilla and butter to create something "other-worldly".  Warmed and poured over a fresh stack of banana pancakes topped with diced bananas and walnuts you have what Liv lovingly calls "Sugary Heaven".

This shot featured on Food Porn Daily

Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes with Warm Maple Glaze  

adapted from How Sweet it is 

Printer Friendly Recipe 

1 cup whole wheat flour (I used 3/4 cup Spelt and 1/4 cup whole wheat flour)

1 cup all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cup milk (we used fat free)

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 large ripe bananas, mashed

2 Tbs canola oil

diced bananas (optional)

chopped walnuts (optional)

Warm Maple Glaze

1/2 cup maple syrup
1-2 Tbs butter
2/3 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl, combine flours, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, whisking to combine.  In a smaller bowl whisk together the brown sugar, milk, egg, oil, vanilla and mashed banana.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined being careful not to over mix, adding more milk if the batter is too thick for your preference.

Heat a skillet or griddle to medium heat.  Ladle batter into onto the hot cooking surface and cook until bubbles form on top – about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook for a minute or two more.  Repeat with remaining batter.  Serve with diced bananas, walnuts and the decadent warm Maple Glaze!

To make glaze, simply warm the syrup and butter and whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.  Pour over pancakes for Sugary Heaven!

Liv says "Bring on the Sugary Heaven!"

Note:  While the glaze was indeed decadent, it was a bit too sweet for me.  I preferred my  banana pancakes with the plain ole maple syrup straight from the bottle.  Liv however gave the glaze two thumbs up and wants to know if we can have pancakes this way every day now.