Pumpkin Coconut Pancakes

I clearly remember this time of year in Tokyo. A whisper of autumn was in the air amidst the hot, heavy humidity hovering over the city. People dabbed their faces with handkerchiefs to keep the dripping sweat in check but, because of a devotion to the seasonal calendar, began to wear light jackets and sweaters on their way to work in the morning. 

The intersection of summer and fall was pronounced if you looked for it. You could even see it in the food. In our last apartment (we lived in 3 different places during our 4 years in Japan) there was a yakiimo truck that would pass through the neighborhood selling roasted sweet potatoes. We could hear the strangely melancholy sound of the vendor calling out to anyone who would listen, “yakiiiiiiiimoooo”, as he made his way slowly through the streets.

The potatoes, wrapped in brown paper and served whole, would warm hands and fill tummies as people made their way home at the end of the day. I look for equally special signals at this time of the year in other places now. Here in Colorado, I have begun to identify this transition into autumn by the smell of roasted chiles and the explosion of all the pumpkin-y-things appearing in every grocery store and coffee shop and on every food blog in the land.

Some people try to resist, but I’m not going to. My favorite season only lasts a little while, so I’m going to take full advantage of all it has to offer.

So, here’s my pumpkin-y contribution. I made these pumpkin coconut pancakes last weekend - on one of those clear, crisp mornings - and they were absolute perfection on a plate.

About these pumpkin coconut pancakes:

This recipe is perfect for mornings when you want something a little more nourishing than a plain pancake. I love feeding these to my kids, too, because they get pumpkin (FULL of vitamins) but still the fun of a pancake breakfast. Here are a few other things you should know:

• You can use whole wheat flour (my fav), all purpose flour, or a combo of both.

• Depending on the flour you choose to use, you may need to add a bit more liquid to achieve the perfect batter consistency

• Not all coconut milk is the same! Some cans of coconut milk have more liquid and some have more cream. Adjust your batter by adding more milk vs more coconut milk

• If you don’t have pumpkin, you can also use mashed banana!

What you need to make Pumpkin Coconut Pancakes:

You’ll want to make sure you have the following ingredients before you get started:

• whole wheat (or AP) flour

• sugar

• spices: ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg

• salt

• eggs

• canned coconut milk

• pumpkin puree

• coconut oil, ghee, or butter

• coconut flakes (optional)

• maple syrup

I used a recipe I posted a while back as my guide but made changed it up by using whole wheat flour, coconut milk in place of regular milk and coconut oil in place of butter. Topped with toasted coconut flakes, these pumpkin spiced pancakes are the perfect way to usher in the cooler weeks while gently letting go of summer.

Pumpkin Coconut Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

• pinch of ground cloves

• 1 cup coconut milk, mixed well until smooth (light or full fat)

• 1/4-1/2 cup milk or almond milk (see notes)

• 6 tablespoons pumpkin puree

• 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil, cooled + extra for cooking

• 1 egg

• 1 cup toasted, unsweetened coconut flakes

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together.

2. Toss the white chocolate ships in with the dry ingredients using a spoon or spatula.

3. In another smaller bowl, stir the coconut milk, milk, pumpkin, 2 tablespoons coconut oil and egg together.

4. Gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. The batter should be wet but lumpy.

5. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add some coconut oil and swirl it in the pan.

6. Pour in 1/4 cup batter per pancake.

7. Cook on the first side until the side facing up begins to dry out around the edges and little bubbles appear on the surface.

8. Flip the pancake and allow it to cook for an additional 2-4 minutes until the second side is golden.

9. Serve the pancakes sprinkled with toasted coconut flakes and drizzled with maple syrup.

Baked Chocolate Banana Doughnuts

When Brad and I lived in Tokyo, we used to walk down a steep hill that led from our apartment to a narrow street. The first time we walked down this street it felt like we had gone back in time. Well, it felt that way until we saw a small dog with a hot pink mohawk. Many people who aren't familiar with the area likely miss this street with it's many restaurants and shops. Our favorite ramen shop was there, along with a little underground bistro called Vanilla Bean and an amazing doughnut shop called Hara Donuts. Stopping at the doughnut shop became a bit of a habit. We discovered very early on that it was well worth it to wait for the freshest doughnuts because they had the most amazingly crispy crust surrounding a soft, airy, subtly sweet inside.

I often find myself craving those walks, those doughnuts, and a cup of coffee on a lazy Saturday morning.

While I did not recreate the classic Hara Donut (which is soy based and healthy, as far as doughnuts are concerned), I did make these baked chocolate banana beauties. Riley helped. He's getting really good at "dumping" and mixing dry ingredients. It's also really fun hearing him say the word "ingredients" and to witness his growing interest in cooking. Actually, I have to give him credit for this recipe because it was his idea in the first place. One morning he just said, "Mommy, I want to make chocolate doughnuts with banana!"

Who was I to say no to a request like that? 

The doughnuts themselves are refined sugar free, but the glaze (which is optional...kind of) is not. I just couldn't resist adding the glaze and some fun sprinkles! #sorrynotsorry

I haven't found a place to walk that I love quite as much as the one from our Tokyo apartment to the train station, but I'm still on the lookout. Until then, I'll be enjoying these with my coffee every once in a while.

Baked Chocolate Banana Doughnuts

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1/3 cup mashed banana
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup milk
• Sprinkles

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
3. In a small bowl, combine the wet ingredients, including the smashed banana.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
5. Spoon the batter into a doughnut pan that has been lightly buttered or sprayed with cooking spray.
6. Bake the doughnuts for 12-15 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, combine the ingredients for the glaze and stir until there are no lumps. (For an extra smooth glaze, sift the dry ingredients together first.) 
8. Remove the doughnuts from the oven and cool completely before dipping in the glaze and decorating with sprinkles.
9. After dipping the doughnuts in the glaze, set them on a rack set over a baking sheet to sprinkle. Let the glaze dry. 
10. EAT.