Friday, March 19, 2010

Blueberry Pancakes with a Crunchy Twist

Recently, I ate an amazing brunch at J. Christopher's in Savannah. My life was changed a little bit by what they call "Blueberry Crunchcakes." The menu describes these wholesome gems as their "delicious blueberry pancakes made with crunchy granola mixed in," and that just seemed way too simple to not try to duplicate at home. My version isn't perfect... but it's definitely something I'll make again.

I started with my go-to pancake recipe:


Wet
I cup of water
1 egg
2T canola oil

Dry
1 cup flour
4T buttermilk powder
1t baking powder
1/4t baking soda
1/4t salt

For these crunchcakes I added a glug (no, I can't be more specific) of vanilla extract to the wet. I also smashed up a bunch of Kashi granola cereal and pulled some frozen blueberries out of the freezer.


My workstation, clockwise from top: water boiling for much needed coffee, skillet of fantastic squareness, canola oil and silicon brush for surface of skillet of fantastic squareness, frozen blueberries, crushed granola.


Now this picture is more of a tease and, I guess, a hurdle to those who just look at the pictures without reading the text. Because... well... the process that you see laid out so carefully here... well... failed. Sprinkling granola on the griddle before topping it with batter, blueberries, and more granola results in burned granola on the top of the pancake. Hmph. So, I learned that only having crunchies on one side (the bottom side once flipped) was better than having crunchies on both top and bottom, half of them burned black.


Like I said before, my attempt at Blueberry Crunchcakes was successful only to a point. The pancakes were tasty and the granola provided a textural contrast that pancakes don't usually have. However, J. Christopher's Blueberry Crunchcakes were better, and given the chance, you should try them for yourself.


That said, I am not going to complain about saying good morning to something this gorgeous.

(And, no, I don't know how I managed to line up four blueberries in four different pancakes and slice directly through all of them. If you asked me to do it again, I wouldn't be able to.)

Now for some honesty and a question: I love breakfast and brunch foods soooo much, but even writing this post felt like deja vu. I think I need some new material... What is your favorite breakfast or brunch food?

9 comments:

kmari03 said...

those look pretty awesome even if they weren't perfect. maybe try different granolas? mmmm.

Jecca Andrew said...

yogurt and Yogi Walnut Spice Crunch Digestive Health cereal/granola! (favorite anytime food...but you could have it for breakfast or brunch...or now)

cookingnerd said...

God, that last picture is to die for. WANT. PANCAKES. NOW.

Also, cheese eggs with pico de gallo, hands down.

Gray said...

QUICHE
So easy, so delicious.
Oh, and cinnamon rolls, of course. :)

A Canadian Foodie said...

What a GREAT idea... and we are doing pancakes right now in foods class. They will be designing their own on the fourth lesson, and this tip I will definitely share. Brilliant, and fun! PS - have you been by lately? My class WON the grilled cheese olympics... WHoo-hoo!
Valerie
Your partner in teaching crime from Edmonton.

A Canadian Foodie said...

What a GREAT idea... and we are doing pancakes right now in foods class. They will be designing their own on the fourth lesson, and this tip I will definitely share. Brilliant, and fun! PS - have you been by lately? My class WON the grilled cheese olympics... WHoo-hoo!
Valerie
Your partner in teaching crime from Edmonton.

Ash said...

Crunchy Pancakes?? how cool. I've never seen this, I mean i've seen the oatmeal style pancakes, but they weren't well, crunchy.

hmmm I'm such a breakfast person too! I love all things breakfast. I have to say I love french toast with bacon and grilled banana's all covered in warm maple syrup. my fav.

Unknown said...

What a great idea....I bet I'd like pancakes more if they had a "texture" to them. What would happen if you added the granola to the batter?
Anyways...I love poached eggs with sour dough toast but I also love bacon and eggs with biscuits and gravy. mm....and I love my grandfathers savory french toast (no sweets, just salami and parm cheese on top of sour dough french toast)....and and...Oh man, I can't leave out blueberry blinzes.

Anonymous said...

Homemade donuts dipped in a maple syrup frosting then rolled in bacon. Okay, I haven't had that yet, but I saw it on Food Network and I know it will be my fav breakfast ever. You should make it for me. - Blair