I gave him fair warning...of Bourbon Pumpkin Pancakes

These busy days, my husband and I have to make extra efforts to spend good time with each other.  So, in addition to a stroll around our neighborhood that we try to fit in once a week, we generally try to have date nights every other week.  But recently our date nights have turned into date lunches and yesterday, a date breakfast. 

It was his idea to have breakfast at one of our neighborhood restaurants, but since I've really been wanting to make pancakes recently and since they're more of a treat breakfast for us, I suggested breakfast at home instead. 

What I really wanted to do was breakfast in bed.  I love the idea of surprising my husband with a beautiful, bountiful tray of goodness, but it rarely happens because his feet hit the ground as soon as things start smelling good in the kitchen.  I can almost always surprise him anywhere else, but this one had alluded me.  So this time I gave him fair warning.  Although I didn't tell him what kinds of goodness I would be whisking together, I told him he had better not get out of bed! 

His wait was worth it; these silver-dollar sized (slightly boozy) pancakes were oh so good, and we had a sweet early morning date discussing our favorite things about the season. 

Bourbon Pumpkin Pancakes

2 cups all purpose flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/4 cup bourbon
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 cup real maple syrup
2 tablespoons bourbon

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and the next eight ingredients (through nutmeg).  In a small bowl, beat the egg.  Add the buttermilk, pumpkin, bourbon and oil and whisk until well combined.  Add the pumpkin mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined. 

In a small oven-proof bowl, measuring cup, or pitcher, combine the maple syrup and bourbon. 

Set the oven to "warm."  Place a heat-proof plate in the oven to keep cooked pancakes warm.  Carefully place the bourbon maple syrup in the oven to warm, making sure that it is on a stable surface (put a plate under it, if you are worried). 

Grease a griddle and heat to medium-low.  Using a large cookie scoop or a 1/4 cup measure, scoop the batter onto the hot griddle.  Use the back of the scoop to spread the batter a bit.  Cook the pancakes for 1-2 minutes, until the edges begin to dull.  Flip and cook for 1-2 minutes more, and stack the cooked pancakes in the oven to keep warm until serving.  Top the pancakes with the warm bourbon maple syrup. 

Print Friendly

In-Law Stories

I know what you're thinking. This blog post can go nowhere good. But, you know, with all of those negative in-law stories out there, I have a few good things to say. Really.

Siblings

I love my in-laws. I know that I am blessed to have married such a wonderful man, and that he comes with such a wonderful family. That is not to say that we are similar. Sometimes it seems like we come from different planets! His family goes when mine stops. His family talks when mine is quiet. But the great thing is, his family brings a spice to my life.

His family, on Their Best Behavior

One of the first times that I knew this spark was in wedding presents. The two gifts from his family that stand out to me really make me crack up. First, there was a gift from his sister, Lauren. It was a spice rack (perfectly normal present, right?). It came with a note, addressed to him, "you're getting a nice rack" (and I cannot believe that I am sharing this with you.). I could never look at that rack in the same way. The other gift was presented to me at our rehearsal dinner. My father-in-law told me that they were giving me a piece of lingerie that was sacred to their family, in front of my family (who don't talk about such things in public). I am sure that my face was bright red, until I saw the "lingerie."

Can you see it? I'm wearing it over my dress.

A view from the back; I'm pretty sure Rocky Top is being played

Yes, our families are quite different. When it comes down to it, we are all human, and all created in the image of God. His family shows me a different, equally beautiful side of our creator. What an awesome commonality to share.

Parents (Mine above, his below)

His family has been generous to take an interest in my life. They have been incredibly supportive of my blog, and I don't know, but I wonder if more of my in-laws read my blog than my own family! I recently received a long letter from my aunt-in-law, with several recipes and the stories behind them. She requested that I try them to see what improvements or changes I would make. One of the recipes jumped out at me because I have been wanting to make it for a while. So here it is: Pumpkin bread. But you know, I couldn't leave it like it was. So here it is:

Bourbon Buttermilk Pecan Pumpkin Bread (A recipe in progress*)

1 cup sugar**
1 cup brown sugar**
4 eggs
2/3 cup vegetable oil
15 oz. pumpkin puree
3 1/2 cups flour (I mix half/half whole wheat and all purpose)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ginger
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup bourbon
1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped

In a large bowl, mix the first five ingredients. Add half of the flour, stirring until just combined. Mix in the bourbon and buttermilk. Add the rest of the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices, stirring until combined. Fold in the pecans.

Pour into two greased 9x5 loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 10 minutes, until a tester comes out clean (check at 1 hour).

*I am not completely happy with this recipe as-is. I'll keep working on it and let you know when I get it to where I love it!

**The original recipe called for 3 cups of sugar. If you prefer your bread sweeter, by all means, add more sugar!