Northwoods Apple Walnut Pancakes

• Whole Wheat Pancake Batter (enough for 8 medium pancakes)
• butter or ghee (for griddling)

Apple Walnut Topping

• 2 apples (peeled if desired, thinly sliced)
• ¾ cup Candied Walnuts (roughly chopped)
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Maple Cider Cream Sauce

• ½ cup apple cider
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
• 1 pinch fine sea salt

Toppings

• Whipped Brown Butter
• Candied Walnuts (chopped)
• apples (sliced)
• cinnamon (ground)
• powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

1. Make the Maple Cider Cream Sauce: Add the apple cider and maple syrup to a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3–4 minutes, until slightly reduced.½ cup apple cider, ¼ cup maple syrup
2. Finish the Sauce: Whisk in the heavy cream, butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and sea salt. Simmer gently for 3–5 minutes, stirring often, until smooth, warm, and lightly thickened. Keep warm.½ cup heavy cream, 2 tbsp butter, 1 tsp vanilla, ¼ tsp cinnamon, pinch sea salt
3. Prepare the Apples: Slice the apples thinly and toss with lemon juice and cinnamon. Keep the slices in a single layer so they are easy to scatter over the pancakes.2 apples, 1 tsp lemon juice, ½ tsp cinnamon
4. Heat the Griddle: Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with butter or ghee.butter or ghee
5. Build the Pancakes: Ladle the Whole Wheat Pancake Batter onto the griddle. While the tops are still wet, lay apple slices over each pancake and sprinkle with chopped Candied Walnuts. Cook until bubbles form and the edges begin to set.Whole Wheat Pancake Batter, apples, ¾ cup Candied Walnuts
6. Flip and Caramelize: Flip the pancakes so the apple and walnut side touches the griddle. Cook for 2–3 minutes, until the apples soften, the walnuts warm through, and the pancakes are cooked through.apple walnut pancakes
7. Plate Upside Down: Transfer the pancakes to plates topping-side up so the apples and candied walnuts are visible.finished pancakes