Twentysomething and the City: Whole Wheat, Almond Pancakes with Cherry Syrup

Sweet Treats

First off...Happy 2013!

To my loyal followers (grandma, Jack, Susan, mom...), sorry for the lack of posts the past few weeks. It was a busy week at work then I was off to California for winter break. BUT, back in action for the new year! Plus, Santa(s) - aka Mom and Nat - got me a Cuisinart Food Processor and a KitchenAid for Christmas. My kitchen is now on fire. Onto something sweet and delicious...

Whole Wheat Almond Pancakes with Cherry Syrup

There's a sweet, crunchy brunch party in my mouth.

The new year rolls around and everyone and their mother is at Equinox hittin' the treadmill. The chocolate cookies, ice cream, and baguettes found their way to the trash can. So here are some healthy, yet tasty, pancakes to kick off 2013.

Ingredients:

1 cup dried sweetened sour cherries
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 cup sugar free maple syrup
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup quick cooking oats
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups lowfat buttermilk (emphasis on the lowfat)
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt (for dipping)
Extra sugar free maple syrup (for drizzle)

For those visual cookers...

Recipe:

-In a small saucepan, bring the cherries, 1/2 cup water, and cinnamon stick to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup maple syrup. Set aside.

-In a bowl, whisk together flours, oats, baking soda, and salt...

-In another bowl, whisk eggs and buttermilk. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir batter until just combined...

-Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Pour about 1/4 cup batter into the pan, sprinkle with almonds, and flip (about two minutes on each side)...