Peter Peter Pancake-Eater

Peter, Peter pumpkin-eater,
Aren't you tired of this old meter?
Remove your wife from pumpkin shell
And once she's outside, treat her well.

A little bit o' spice, a little bit o' sweet
A little bit o' something delicious to eat
Pancakes are perfect for being discreet--
They meet the requirements of trick and of treat.

Peter, Peter pumpkin-eater,
On verge of madness your days teeter!
If you want to apologize,
Cook this meal before her eyes.

Dessert's in its name, but it's ever-so-stealthy
And hides in plain sight, even passing as healthy!
On this All Hallow's Eve, this costume's ideal--
A big slice of cake dressed up as a meal.

Happy Halloween!

This has been a pretty crazy month for me.  Luckily, I have good friends who will come over and bake a bunch of pumpkin-flavored things with me.  They will also tolerate my turning our leftover batter into desserty pancakes sprinkled with chocolate chips.  They will also point and laugh as I have an awkward photo shoot with said pancakes outside, in public, because that's where the lighting's nicest.

...Friends are great.

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

adapted from Smitten Kitchen and Allrecipes

Ingredients

• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup water
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp + 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp allspice
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• bittersweet chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

Whisk together the pumpkin, egg, oil, water, brown sugar, baking powder, 2 tsp cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and salt.

Whisk in the flour until just combined.

In a small bowl, stir together 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 tbsp sugar.

Lightly oil a frying pan and heat over medium high heat.  Scoop about 1/4 cup batter onto the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes, until browned.  Flip and brown on other side.

Repeat with remaining batter.

Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture and, if desired, chocolate chips.

Serves 3-4.