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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

A pancake feast that’s fit for a kid



 (The Spokesman-Review)
By Philomena Corradeno King Features Syndicate

It’s hard to believe that one of our friends has been around for 115 years. But it’s true — in 1889, in St. Joseph, Mo., Aunt Jemima pancake mix was developed and was the first self-rising pancake flour and the first ready-mix food to be introduced commercially. She’s still with us and stands ready to help put one of our favorite breakfasts on the table.

Our recipes today are not your usual plain, familiar variety. They are fun and delicious. Making them is a good way to get the kids involved in the kitchen and great for a Saturday or Sunday feast.

“Aunt Jemima brand is committed to celebrating families … and the tradition of cooking breakfast together,” says Jeannine Walker, of its marketing department.

For Gingerbread Friends, cook pancakes as directed in our recipe, then have the kids use gingerbread man and lady cookie cutters to form the “friends.” They might even create a family of friends, decorating each differently. The “friends” can be kept warm in a low (200 F) oven. And don’t worry about wasting the leftover pieces — keep them warm, and Mom or Dad will eat them.

The King Rules Pancakes is a twist on the King’s (Elvis, of course) favorite snack — peanut butter and bananas — using peanut butter and peanut butter chips and topped with bananas, chocolate syrup and whipped cream. This won a $5,000 grand prize for the Hanrahan family of Winlock, Wash., in the 2004 Aunt Jemima Cooking With Your Kids contest and a $5,000 donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, whose kids chose the winner.

GINGERBREAD FRIENDS PANCAKES

3 1/2 cups Aunt Jemima Complete or Buttermilk Complete Pancake & Waffle mix

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

2 1/2 cups milk

1/4 cup molasses

Combine pancake mix, cinnamon and ginger in large bowl; set aside. In medium bowl, combine milk and molasses with wire whisk until well-blended. Add milk mixture to dry ingredients. Mix until large lumps disappear. Cook pancakes according to package directions.

Using 2-inch gingerbread man and/or lady cookie cutter, cut out “friends” and decorate as desired. Makes 19 pancakes.

THE KING RULES PANCAKES

2 cups Aunt Jemima Original Complete Pancake Mix

1 1/2 cups water

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup peanut butter chips

2 ripe bananas, sliced

Chocolate syrup

Aerosol whipped cream

Combine pancake mix, water and peanut butter, and mix according to package directions. Stir in peanut butter chips. Cook on hot griddle according to package directions until golden brown. Serve pancakes topped with bananas, chocolate syrup and swirls of whipped cream. Makes 12 pancakes.