Oatmeal Apple Pancakes

Nothing warms up a cold morning like hot homemade pancakes with fresh butter and pure maple syrup… especially when I've just returned home with a jug of my parents' own homemade syrup! These oatmeal apple pancakes are my favourites; they're ridiculously easy to make, and they make a perfect start to a weekend morning. Enjoy!

Oatmeal Apple Pancakes

3/4 cups large rolled oat flakes
1/2 cups whole spelt or wheat flour
1 cup yoghurt
1/3 cups spring water
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 small apple, any variety, diced
2 eggs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon honey

Soak the oats and flour in the yoghurt and water at room temperature overnight. In the morning when you're ready to make the pancakes, stir in the baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and apple.

In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, melted butter and honey. Pour over the oat and flour mixture and mix well.

Lightly butter a large cast-iron skillet or frying pan and warm up on medium-low heat. At the same time, preheat an oven to 175°.

Drop in a few tablespoonfulls of the batter for each pancake and fry for a couple of minutes before turning over and frying on the other side until the pancakes are golden brown on both sides. Remove from the pan and place on a plate in the oven to keep warm until all the batter's been used up for pancakes.

Serve the pancakes warm and pour over them some pure maple syrup. Add a little butter if you like, and any fresh fruit toppings that tickle your fancy.

Makes about 10-12 five-inch pancakes.