Pancake Flavor Explosion

Suddenly it seems everywhere I look there is a sign outside a restaurant promoting a new flavor of pancakes. I Hop is promoting Red Velvet Pancakes, Flapjacks in Sevierville is touting Sticky Bun Pancakes while in Pigeon Forge they are tempting hungry visitors with their favorite Pecan Pancakes. Since we are just coming out of fall , many restaurants have been offering pumpkin, gingerbread and apple pancakes. The fun thing is there is no end to the flavors that can be turned into pancakes and that's not even counting the syurps and toppings to use on top. Today in restaurants, gourmet stores and supermarkets pancake lovers can choose from a wide variety of toppings including fruit based flavors to local specialities. I can't wait to see what pancake tempetation the Pancake Houses in the Smokies are going to come up with next.

Southern Living Pancake Article

I recently came upon an article on the web from my favorite magazine Southern Living titled ' The Smokies-Top Destination for Pancakes'. The article is all about how pancakes stack up b the numbers in the mountains.Did you know that according to Southern Living that 4,800 pancakes are flipped on a busy day at the Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg? According to a Southern Living Facebook poll this is their readers top choice for pancakes in the region. I love the Pancake Pantry but I have to admitt to going only on weekdays in the winter to avoid long lines. Another Gatlinburg favorite the Atrium Pancake House takes 20 minutes to bake their Baked Apple Pancake according to author Cory Bordonaro. The Baked Apple Pancake is the Atrium's most popular pancake for those enjoying a leisurely breakfast. The second favorite pancake house in the magazine's facebook survey, the Log Cabin Pancake House in Pigeon Forge, goes through 24 gallons of made from scratch batter on a single weekday during the busy season. To read more interesting pancake numbers go to ; http://www.southernliving.com/travel/south-central/pancake-houses-gatlinburg-tennessee-00417000077683/ or Google: The Smokies-Top Destination for Pancakes-Southern Living

Buttermilk Syrup

The best thing about pancakes is that they are so versatile. One can have them for breakfast or dinner. They can be thin, crepes, or thick and hearty, like those served at Connie's or the Log Cabin Pancake House. Pancakes come in endless varieties including blueberries, apples, pumpkin, chocolate chips and more. And they can be topped with an un-ending variety of toppings. Recently in a very old Tennessee Cookbook I came across a recipe for Buttermilk Syurp. Here in the mountains it's all about Buttermilk. I already make my light and fluffy pancakes using buttermilk so I had to try Buttermilk Syrup. It is amazing and the perfect topping for pancakes in the mountains. Buttermilk Syrup; 1 1/2 sugar, 3/4 cup buttermilk,1/2 cup butter,2 Tab. corn syrup,1 tsp. baking soda. Combine and bring to a boil in a heavy saucepan.Simmer for 7 minutes. Remove from heat add 2 tsp. vanilla. Serve warm or cold.

Pancake Eating Challenge

Not far from Sevierville on the way to Knoxville on Chapman Highway is a local favorite known for its Pancake Challenge. On a recent visit my granddaughter deceided to take the challenge; Finish 3 pizza size pancakes before closing. If she completed the task grandaughter would win an embroidered shirt proclaiming she had survived Connie's Pancake Eating Challenge and her pancakes would be free!!! Easy enough , right? Thank heavens, at the suggestion of our waitress , grandaughter requested the pancakes be brought to the table one at a time. Need I say the pancakes weren't free but the pictures, laughs and memories will last a life time.

Connie's Place is located at 10231 Chapman Highway, Seymour, Tn. Connie's is open Sunday 7 a.m. - 2p.m., Tuesday - Saturday 6a.m.-2p.m. Closed on Mondays.Breakfast is served all day.Phone 865-577-1992.

Over the Top Pancakes in Southern Living Magazine

December's Issue of Southern Living came with a spread on over the top pancakes for Christmas morning. How much fun! SL magazine transformed six southern classic cakes into pancakes including ; German Chocolate, Carrot, Caramel, Hummingbird,Red Velvet and Italian Cream. The seven page spread show cases each pancake attractively stacked and comes with recipes not only for the pancakes but for the toppings or syrup that go along with the cakes. The Hummingbird Pancakes feature mashed bananas, crushed pineapple and toasted pecans in the batter, topped with a Cream Cheese Anglaise and layered with more bananas and fesh pineapple. The Carrot Cake Pancakes are neatly stacked large to small to resemble a Christmas Tree and layered with Mascarpone Cheese. How pretty for Christmas morning. I am still trying to garner support for a Pancake Festival in Pigeon Forge and maybe this article in Southern Living Magazine might help. Fingers crossed XXX