Ricotta and Brown Butter Pancakes with Maple-Bourbon Apricots
Author Notes: Bourbon, maple syrup, and apricots enhance fat ricotta pancakes. The point of departure are the buttermilk pancakes from Joy of Cooking; I added ricotta and a little orange zest. A generous garnish of pistachio nuts adds textural contrast. —creamtea
Food52 Review: WHO: creamtea has been a member since October 2010. Happy (more than) 6 year membership-versary!
WHAT: Fluffy pancakes topped with nutty brown butter and boozy apricot syrup.
HOW: Make the syrup—which is easy as warming all the ingredients to a saucepan—and then whisk together a buttermilk-ricotta pancake batter. After you cook the cakes, top with the warm apricot syrup and chopped pistachios.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Incredibly light, orangey pancakes with a punchy syrup you can make year-round thanks to dried, rather than fresh, apricots. —The Editors
Makes 12-14 small pancakes
For the apricot-bourbon syrup:
-
3/4
cup good-quality dried California apricots (they should look plump, bright and moist), coarsely chopped
-
1/3
cup plus 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (grade B or "very dark" preferred)
-
1
tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon good-quality bourbon such as Eagle Rare
-
1 scant
tablespoons water
For the pancakes:
-
2
tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and browned slightly in the skillet you plan to use for the pancakes (I use a "green" nonstick skillet). Scrape into a small bowl or custard dish and allow to cool slightly
-
1-1/2
cups less 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (sift first, measure, then remove the 2 tablespoons)
-
2
tablespoons cornstarch
-
1/2
teaspoon fine sea salt
-
1-1/2
teaspoons sugar (organic preferred)
-
1
teaspoon baking powder
-
3/4
teaspoon baking soda
-
2
eggs, beaten
-
1
tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
-
1
cup buttermilk
-
1/2
cup ricotta cheese (I used part-skim)
-
Shelled, chopped pistachio nuts as a garnish, if desired
- In a small, heavy saucepan, combine the syrup ingredients. Over low heat, bring to a bare simmer. Turn off heat and cover to keep warm while you prepare the pancakes. Add and stir in the scant teaspoon of water and re-heat slightly if syrup is too thick or too cool by serving time.
- Sift together dry ingredients into a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine beaten eggs, browned butter, buttermilk, orange zest, and ricotta cheese. Whisk to combine thoroughly.
- Heat skillet on medium to medium-high heat with a few drops of safflower or other neutral high-heat oil, until a few drops of water sprinkled into the skillet skitter and sizzle.
- When skillet is hot, quickly combine wet and dry ingredients in the large bowl. Stir swiftly but as minimally as possibly until just combined for a tender final product.
- With a soup ladle or cooking spoon, scoop up batter and drop dollops into pan to make approximately 4 inch cakes; don't crowd pan.
- Cook until bubbles form on top of cakes, a little less than standard pancakes (the bubble's needn't "pop" but all pancakes should have stationary bubbles). Turn one at a time with pancake turner. Brown second side (a little less time than for the first side).
- Continue to cook cakes in batches, adding a small amount of oil as necessary, until all batter is used.
- Serve with the warm apricot syrup. Garnish each serving with the pistachios.
- Your Best Festive, Crowd-Feeding Breakfast Contest Finalist!
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Recipe with Dried Fruit
- This recipe was entered in the contest for The Best Thing You Ate This Year
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Breakfast Baked Good
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Pancakes, Sweet or Savory
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Maple Recipe
More Great Recipes:
Fruit|Bread|Breakfast|Vegetarian|Spring|Fall|Winter|Christmas|Easter|Fourth of July
Showing out of comments
12 months ago BavarianCook
These were so nice and plump yet still fluffy! Delicious. I added a dollop of whipped cream over the apricot syrup, then sprinkled the pistachios on top and it looked (and tasted) fantastic. Thank you for a great recipe!
12 months ago creamtea
Lisanne is a trusted home cook.
Thank you so much for your comment! Your additions sound devastatingly good.
over 1 year ago ChefJune
June is a trusted source on General Cooking.
I am so glad we keep pulling up our archived recipes for these contests. I never saw this recipe before now! I can't wait to make these. Kinda sounds like Valentine's Breakfast, or something else sweetly special. :)
over 1 year ago creamtea
Lisanne is a trusted home cook.
It does, doesn't it? Thanks, June.
about 6 years ago fiveandspice
Emily is a trusted source on Scandinavian Cuisine.
I absolutely love ricotta pancakes, and that apricot syrup sounds delectable!
about 6 years ago creamtea
Lisanne is a trusted home cook.
thank you fiveandspice!
about 6 years ago jenniebgood
Hi Creamtea - I'm loving this combination - what a good way to get your Bourbon on!
about 6 years ago creamtea
Lisanne is a trusted home cook.
Thanks, jenniebgood, Bourbon is a new discovery for me. Who knew?
about 6 years ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
These sound delicious creamtea, love the apricots with the fluffy ricotta pancakes.
about 6 years ago creamtea
Lisanne is a trusted home cook.
Thanks, sdebrango. I always have a package of those apricots in the house; they're such a treat.
Showing 10 out of 10 comments