Peanut Butter Pancakes for The Kids Cook Monday

The Kids Cook Monday initiative encourages families to set aside the first night of every week for cooking and eating together as a family.  We try to do this every night, but I know that we are very fortunate to be able to do so.  As you all know, our almost 2 year old can be a very picky eater...you never know when or what she will try.  I wanted to make C's first cooking adventure an easy one, and one I was hopeful she would enjoy...pancakes!

Fat-free Greek yogurt has become a staple in our house because of its protein boosting power that is easily added to a ton of recipes and just to eat on its own with some honey and fruit or nuts.  I looked through the pancakes recipes I normally use and figured out how to easily incorporate some. Why stop there though?  I also decided to add some peanut butter to the batter to really up the protein, nutrients and flavor, but still keeping them toddler friendly.   A fruity yogurt dip and we would call this dinner.  I know, I know, pancakes are generally a breakfast food, but we love having them for dinner too :)

I got C dressed up in her apron, we got out our matching orange mixing spoons and got to work.  

The floor and the sink really needed to be stirred apparently.  She also loved to help count the spoons and measuring cups.

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup unbleached white flour

2 tbsp honey

1 lg egg

1/3 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt

1 cup 2% milk

1/4 cup peanut butter (we use Kraft Unsweetened/Unsalted)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

In a large bowl, mix the two flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.  In another medium size bowl, beat egg and mix in honey, yogurt, milk and peanut butter.  Mix until everything is well combined, even though a few little bits of peanut butter not fully incorporated is fine.  Pour into dry ingredients and stir gently until the flour is just blended in, do not over mix.

Drop by heaping 1/4 cup measures onto preheated griddle (375ish) that has been sprayed with non-stick spray, and flip when nicely browned on the bottom (3-4 minutes).  

Cook on second side another 3-4 minutes or until done.  

Makes 10 delicious pancakes.  Daddy and I enjoyed ours with a smear of Nutella, strangely enough something C hasn't taken to.

To make our dipping sauce I put another 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup of thawed mixed frozen berries and 2 tbsp of honey in the blender and pureed it until smooth.  C loved the pancakes...

...and the yogurt dip (along with her big orange spoon)!  She ate 3 of these, which is a dinner time record for her.  She had two at the table and then for dessert, wanted another whole one to munch on.

Needless to say, our first family dinner-making experiment was an overwhelming success!