Hi Everyone,
I am so excited for today! I can’t believe I have been blogging for one year!! It has been the most wonderful journey!! I have learned so much and I have gained so many new Friends. I finally found something that I love to do and I look so forward to doing it everyday.
One year ago today my post was for my first ever Whole Wheat Yogurt Pancakes and since then I have gone pancake crazy! So for a tribute to my first post, I have made for you a HUGE Whole Wheat Yogurt Apple Pancake.
Boy how times have changed from a traditional pancake to all of my new creations. Here is the only picture I took of my very first pancake ever! This makes me think of how my blog has changed through the year.
Today’s pancake couldn’t be more simple. I blended all the ingredients in my blender, tossed some apples in cinnamon and brown sugar, put it all together in a springform pan and baked for 12 minutes. It’s light, healthy, chock full of apples and oh so sweet. This tastes more like a dessert then a healthy pancake. Matter in fact I saved a slice for dessert and had some frozen yogurt with it. It reminds me of apple pie and is perfect for the fall.
This pancake kind of resembles my blogging life the past year. I had to flip the pancake onto a plate, which I almost lost, but it ended up coming out perfect in the end. What does that have to do with blogging? Well, back in February I decided to go from a wordpress.com platform to self hosting and that was a nightmare. I did it all myself (I am not techy at all), I spent days trying to fix my blog. I had lots of coffee and yogurt that weekend! I cried, I swore and I almost gave up blogging forever. But the determination in me, made me push through. After switching over, I lost my e-mail subscribers, which made me cry and I’m not a crier. I had 30 subscribers, to me that was a lot and a big deal. I didn’t want to let my readers down. I felt horrible and so sad. But I got most of you back and I want to thank you for sticking with me through the rough times. It is you that makes me blog everyday and create fun recipes.
I have to say it was really fun making one big pancake!! It’s amazing how may different ways you can cook pancakes. This pancake would be so perfect for a special occasion or for feeding a large family. I decided to make this a four serving dish because it is so filling. I served it with veggie omelets and sausage. One slice was perfect, and I think it will please any apple lover in your life. This is one I’ll be making again!!
‘
Since I have been blogging for a year, I have had a lot of wonderful things happen for me. The change came for me when I joined the Christmas Cookie Swap, it was the first time I felt part of a group. I met such wonderful people and yes I still think of those White Chocolate Raspberry Bars that Liz from That Skinny Chick Can Bake! Darn those bars!! 🙂 Then after that, Foodbuzz became my Publisher, and that was such a big deal for me, especially when I made the top 9. Then I was asked to create all the Nutritional information in the new Cooking with Trader Joe’s Cookbook, Easy Lunch Boxes, which will be coming out I think this Friday, even though they didn’t put my name in the book, I know it was me that did all the stats and I am very proud of that!! Oh and I almost forgot I won 2nd place in the Trader Joe’s Cooking with Quinoa contest. I made the Chocolate Quinoa Bake. Wow it’s been quite a year and I can’t wait to see what next year brings! Hopefully it will bring me more pancake recipes!! 🙂
- Serves: 4 Slices
- Serving size: 1 Slice
- Apple Topping:
- 1 cup apple, cored, pealed, sliced (135 grams)
- 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
- ½ tsp, lemon juice
- ¼ tsp. cinnamon
- Batter:
- ⅓ cup non-fat greek yogurt
- 2 Egg whites
- 2 tbsp. coconut milk or regular milk
- ½-tsp vanilla extract
- ½-tsp baking soda
- ⅓-cup white whole wheat flour
- ½ tsp stevia or sugar
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp.cinnamon
- Preheat oven to 400F
- Spray springform pan or cake pan with cooking spray, and line the bottom with parchment paper and spray again with cooking spray; set aside
- In a small bowl, add apple slices, brown sugar, lemon juice and ¼ tsp. cinnamon. Toss until all the apples are coated; set a side.
- In a blender add greek yogurt, egg whites, coconut milk and vanilla extract, pulse until combined. Add flour, baking soda, stevia, cinnamon and salt. Blend until smooth.
- Arrange apples to the bottom of the prepared pan and top with pancake batter, spread batter to cover the apples.
- Bake for 12 - 15 minutes, until top is slightly firm and puffy. Carefully un-clip the sides of the springform pan and take a plate and invert the pancake onto the plate. Peel off the parchment paper. The apples will be on top. Serve warm with powdered sugar or maple syrup.
I want to thank you for supporting me and welcoming me into the food blogging community! Because of you, my readers, I look forward to cooking and baking everyday and writing my posts for you! I haven’t missed a day in over a year!! So as my way of saying thank you I am giving away an e-gift card for $50.00 for Williams and Sonoma.
To win this $50.00 gift card all you have to do is tell me what your favorite pancake is or link up one of your favorite breakfast recipes. After all, breakfast is my favorite meal! That’s it! I’m not going to ask to pin, facebook or twitter my giveaway. I want to show you how much I appreciate you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!!
I will pick a winner on Friday and announce it on Saturdays post!
Have a wonderful day and thank you again for opening up a whole new world for me! I couldn’t be any happier then I am right now! Now go link up your breakfast recipes and / or tell me what your favorite pancake is!!!
Toodles,
Jennifer
P.S. No one offered me anything to do this giveaway. I am paying for this myself as a tribute to one year of blogging.
Woohoo!!! MAJOR congrats love! I’m so glad you found what you love in blogging…and that we get to reap the delicious benefits! My favorite pancake recipe are carrot cake pancakes that I made last year! SO tasty.
My favorite pancakes are always banana walnut! Congrats on one year!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! OK…I always want to be pancake adventurous, but I always chicken out at the moment of truth and go totally traditional. Buttermilk. Then I say well…I’ll use one of the snazzy flavored syrups or compotes. But, foiled again…good old maple. Occasionally…for dessert…I will get chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream topping.
Great job! I don’t really eat pancakes, but my kids swear by my chocolate chip pancakes.
Mmmm! I love fresh blueberry pancakes with blueberries bursting in the batter! Congratulations on one year and all your food pictures are gorgeous!
Chocolate Chip pancakes with maple syrup.
Yummy!!! Love chocolate chip pancakes!!
Happy 1 year anniversary! I’d have to say my favorite pancakes are eggnog pancakes. I made them a year ago and basically just replaced buttermilk with eggnog. Totally delicious.
Congratulations! I recently found your blog and so happy I did. I have to say, many people can make a blog by posting recipes, BUT it is the personality and passion behind those words (and measurements) that make a blog successful. You have it all =]
Pancakes? I love the pancakes from my childhood which is a buttermilk pancake covered in . . . peanut butter and white corn syrup. I don’t do it often, but when I do . . . squeeee!!! <3 hugs!
Congrats on your one-year blog bday. 🙂 That pancake looks great! As much as I love pancakes, I think I’m going to have to go with biscuits n’ scrambled eggs. (It’s even better if you add homemade gravy!)
Apple sauce and Bannana are just one of my Favs but I have many Pancakes are the best!Happy 1 year and here’s to many more.
Congrats!!!! Love Trader Joes, so we should probably be best friends..haha. Anyways..best breakfast? Delicious thick French Toast with berries and ooor Sweet potato hash with roasted cauliflower and a poached egg! Yum!!
Happy blog birthday! I would have to say my favorite pancake is a new Paleo Pumpkin Pancake recipe I tried made with coconut flour. Perfect for fall!
Congrats, Jennifer! I really enjoy following your blog. My current favorite pancake recipe is protein pumpkin pancakes! http://www.clairetherd.com/bff-pumpkin-protein-pancakes/
My favorite pancake is my dad’s applesauce pancakes. Happy 1 year!
YAY! Happy Blogiversary love! This is such an awesome creation, I’m diggin how you made it into a cake by eating slices of it too. You’re so creative 🙂 My favorite pancake of the moment are the superfood protein pancakes I made a few days ago. Yes, I’m still in awe that I did those haha. Hope it doesn’t sound too egotistical haha
Blueberry pancakes with fresh blueberries on top
Congratulations on one year!! This pancake looks like a delicious way to celebrate!
Rock on girlfriend! Love your recipes and stories. I love just about any type of pancake, from ihop to my homemade post run protein pancakes. But my faves are those with fresh fruit in and on top! Like my cherry-maple ones…. Nom!
Happy 1 year!!! You are amazing, never missing a day! I’m so happy you started blogging and I “met” you this way, keep up the awesome work!!
I am glad my first comment on your blog is to say “Congratulations!” My favorite pancake is one from a restaurant I live near–they call them “Almond Energy Pancakes.” I don’t know the exact recipe, but there are the ingredients:
Pumpkin Seeds, Quinoa, Shredded Coconut, Cashew Nuts, Sunflower Seeds, Puffed Ruce, Dried Cherries & Cranberries garnished with Fresh Berries & Spiced Agave Syrup.
Yummy~!
Congrats! One year is exciting, I know a few people that start but then quit after a few months. I’m glad you’re keeping with it! I just love reading your stories and recipes. Favorite breakfast recipe… well I LOVE scones, I think they’re my favorite breakfast food besides granola with Chobani. Here is one of my go-to recipes from Skinnytaste http://www.skinnytaste.com/2008/12/low-fat-blueberry-scones.html
Homemade blueberry with butter – reminds me of saturday mornings growing up! Congrats on the anniversary:)
I LOVE apple pancakes. This one looks like it just could be my new favorite!! Congrats on blogging for 1 year!
I can’t believe it’s been 1 year!! You’ve definitely been loyal to your blog, some start great but then stop posting… You’re one of the exceptions to the rule, in which my satisfied stomach is greatful! You’ve had some really great recipes (The Berry Cheesy Breakfast Quesadilla is just pure genius), thanks so much!
Favorite pancakes?? Definitely Pumpkin Pancakes… with fall comming I’m getting hungry for anything ‘pumpkin spice’ related (the ingredients for your pumpkin biscuits are my shopping list this week, can’t wait!).
Happy 1 year!
-Jen
*on my shopping list
I love the birthday panckaes. It is creative to use sprinkles on pancakes. I also love your variety of pancakes, recently I cannot get enough of them.
Thank you!! I love birthday pancakes too there so happy and fun!!!
Happy 1st yr blogging! My very fav pancake is my Mom’s blueberry pancakes. I follow my Dad’s lead with peanut butter spread on top and pure maple syrup. YUM! I haven’t had them in along time. I need to go over their house early b/c nothing beats your Mom’s cooking and getting alittle spoiled. Lol.
I think you should go to Mom and Dads for breakfast! Surprise Mom on Saturday or Sunday morning with some flowers! Both of there pancakes sound delish!!
Happy Blog Birthday! My favorite is macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup. It’s a decedant treat reserved for visits to Hawaii.
Oh my gosh that sounds amazing! I would love that! Now I have a good excuse to go to Hawaii!!
congrats on your 1st blog bday. Favorite pancake …..so many to choose from….Buttermilk blueberry….my husbands buttermilk……sour dough….the list goes on
Thank you! Buttermillk sour dough? I never heard of that one. I’m intrigued! My Step-daughter would love that pancake!!! She is obsessed with all things sour dough.
I really want to try that pancake…if you can call it that. It really looks like an apple pie. I am having trouble getting those low calories around my head! Congrats on the 1 year!
Thanks Alicia! The calories are real, I double checked them!! 🙂
I love all of them!!! But I think my favorite is potato pancake!
Want to know something weird? I never had a potato pancake. I know, I know, how weird am I? I must make them!!
Happy Blog Birthday! I have really enjoyed your recipies and low calorie ideas! My favorite pancake would be apple cinnamon OR blueberry. Will try this one, when i can eat carby things again. Thank you!
Thank you!! Your favorite pancakes are right up therein my top 10 favorites too!!
I love your blog!! My favorite pancake is pumpkin!
Thank you!! 🙂 Pumpkin pancakes are amazing!!!! One of my favorite reasons why I love the fall.
Congrats to you! I love your blog 🙂 My favorite are pumpkin pancakes!!
Thank you Lauren!! I think you already know I love pumpkin pancakes. 🙂
Happy, happy anniversary, my sweet friend! I remember when you recieved those bars for our cookie exchange…you made my day with your kind note. I am so honored you mentioned that in your post today 🙂 Wishing you many more years and successes with your blog. xo
PS…my favorite pancakes are simple buttermilk covered with sweetened berries….mmmmmmmm.
Thank you Liz!! Your pancakes sound wonderful!! I love sweet berries on pancakes!!
I love cinnamon apple pancakes with real baked apples topped with gooey maple syrup! Congrats too!
Those pancakes sound out of this world!!
I guess my favorite pancake is just plain old buttermilk with maple syrup, no butter. French toast comes in a close second.
Thanks for your wonderful blog. I look forward to reading it every single day! I love your nut butter recipes – unique, healthy, and delicious!
LOVE French Toast!!! Yummy!!! I love buttermilk pancakes too!!! I’m thinking I want pancakes for dinner!!!
I rarely eat pancakes, but just plain old boring ones for me. With Loy’s of butter and maple syrup! I did make your pumpkin ones for the hubby and me. Verdict….yummy! I plan on making them again. I love your blog! So glad I found you on pinterest!
Thank you! Nothing wrong with plain pancakes, I love those ones too!!!
Pancakes with corn! I know it sounds weird but this is how my mom made then when we were young. And most people who thought it sounded gross ended up LOVING it after trying!
It doesn’t sound weird at all!! I bet they tasted wonderful!!! You gave me an idea for a savory dinner time pancake! 😉
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! You’ve done an incredible journey!
Thank you!!!
Wow super congrats! I love love love your blog 🙂
My favorite pancakes are maple walnut! Yummmmm – you don’t even need maple syrup but as a fun treat a little spray cream is always good! I also absolutely love maple walnut scones – hmmm……I see a pattern here LOL
Thank you!!! Maple Walnut, oh my gosh, does that sound amazing! I hope you don’t mind but I have to steal that for my next pancake recipe. It sounds amazing!
I have told you already but I love soooo many of your recipes! I make pancakes every morning for my kids. A power packed breakfast that was so healthy, I had to keep the lights dim when I first developed it or my kids would have seen way too many specks:). I use the base of homemade mix in the Disney family cookbook. I sub whole wheat flour for about half. It makes 8 cups of mix so I’m set for a week or two. In the morning, I scoop out one cup, add 2tbs of wheat germ, 1 tbs of flaxseed, 1 tbs of my homemade vanilla, an egg and 1cup milk. Then I add chocolate chips! They love it and don’t really need syrup with the chocolate chips. Now I send the dry mix to my daughter in college and she calls it “moms magic pancake mix”. Her roommates love it and she is even gluten free now but easy to sub in her gluten free baking mix!
Ha ha!! I love your pancakes! I love that you snuck in healthy and your kids didn’t know! I am laughing, to funny!
Congrats on your anniversary! Newcomer to your & you’re already my favorite food blog. Quit eating sugar again a while back & your dessert recipes rock! I trust I’ll be able to get thru the holidays w/ your help. So thanks!
My favorite pancakes are still blueberry. I’m traditional about some things.
I’m going to try to make healthy dessert recipes for the holiday season! I want to indulge like everyone else, but I don’t want to have the holiday weight that I tend to gain every year. So stay tuned for some healthy dessert recipes!!!
Hi Jen, I’m new to your blog.I am thrilled to have found you as I’ve made eating healthier a priority these days. Imagine my happy surprise to discover all the pumpkin recipes – my favorit e treat to go with my favorite season. Thanks so much for sharing your healthy recipes. Happy anniverary. Oh, and for pancakes, I’ve always just made Bisquick pancakes but I think I will be trying your apple one above.
I never heard of bisquick pancakes, sounds interesting and I bet there good!! Hmmm, I may have to try that. I’m glad you found me! Stop back anytime!!! Oh and I am sure there will be more pumpkin recipes coming!
Congrats on one year!! That pancake looks so good! I have to say that my favorite pancake is probably blueberry, it’s just a classic and so yummy.
Blueberry pancakes is a classic and family favorite. I like to change it up but I always get requested to make blueberry!!
Happy one year! I LOVE pumpkin pancakes!!!
Thank you Rachel!! 🙂
My favorite is buckwheat pancakes with real maple syrup.
I just tried buckwheat pancakes in Vegas and I love them!!
I love sweet potato waffles! http://eat-your-heart-out.net/2012/03/27/sweet-potato-waffles/
Congrats on your one year! Mine is this week, too – it’s so exciting!
Congratulations and how exciting for you! My favorite pancakes have got to be classic blueberry with lots of big blues inside and topped on top too!
I’ve never met a pancake I didn’t like! I love topping them with something new ~ this summer with preserves we made from our boisterous little Strawberry Guava tree. I am truly enjoying your recipes and your personality shines through your words.
Thank you Nancy!! A strawberry guava tree, I never heard of that kind of tree, but it sounds wonderful! I would love to try some jam!! I need a little tree like yours.
My favorite pancake is chocolate chip!!
Congrats! I also have to go for the classic blueberry pancakes
Mmmm…I LOVE pancakes too! My favorite is blueberry buttermilk! Your apple pancakes look delish!
My favorite pancake is one my husband and I had on our honeymoon trip to Gatlinburg, Tn…Pumpkin Spice Pancakes with Warm Maple Syrup! They are awesome!! Congrats on one year of blogging! I really enjoy reading your site and love the recipes you offer!! Here’s to another year of successful blogging!!! 🙂
I love chocolate chip cookies!
Congrats!! I look forward to reading everyday! My favorite are pumpkin pancakes with extra cinnamon.
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!! I love your blog. My absolute favorite pancake is pumpkin pancakes. But banana chocolate chip is a close 2nd. My kids, 8 and 6, LOVE pancakes. They’re their favorite food in the world!! We make pancakes from scratch every weekend morning. (Used to be every day, but that darned school thing got in the way. LOL)
I love pumpkin pancakes, but the banana chocolate chip sounds amazing! Work gets in the way of me making pancakes everyday! 🙁
Happy blog birthday. Great blog
I don’t have a favorite pancake because I don’t think I’ve had any but the everyday pancake. I only allow myself one pancake (about 3x a year) and I make a sandwich with it. Pancake folded over with a sunny side up egg in the middle. Topped with SF syrup. Delicious.
I think we have pancakes almost every weekend! I just love them!!! Making a egg sandwich with the pancake is a wonderful idea!! I love that!!
Congratulations! My favorite pancakes are Blueberry Pancakes!
Congratulations! I really love lemon ricotta pancakes, with whipped egg whites to make them fluffy!
Everyday for a year! Impressive! And congrats!
Oh boy! I haven’t had pancakes in a really long time! I once had gingerbread pancakes that were AMAZING!
My favorite pancakes are cottage cheese pancakes!
Congrats to you on your 1st birthday! And never missing a post in a year, amazing! I love pumpkin pancakes, so delicious and just perfect for fall!
I like pancake with blueberries or bananas/chocolate!
Congrats! My favorite pancakes are blueberry with boysenberry syrup and strawberries on top, yum!
You deserve such a success, I hope you will continue this way, because all your recipes are treasures!!
My favourites pancakes are your peach pancakes. I used to eat these all summer. I even impressed my grandmother with these (she is suuuch a great cooker, and when so told me that she felt in love with my beakfast pancakes, I was soo honoured). I am thankful to you for that, because it always counts when people are impressed by what you do, you feel a little bit more unique 😉