It is official… I AM DONE!  I took my Professional Engineering (P.E.) exam yesterday and I feel GREAT.  I was so worried that after I finished that 8-hour monster exam, that I would feel drained and crappy and not want to be around anyone….but instead I walked out of that room like Mary Poppins and a bird singing on my shoulder. I was on a high…and still am. Who knows if I passed, but it feels good for it to be over.

I feel like I have new-found freedom. A new life. What should I do with ALL this time…. build a pantry? Finish painting the hallway that I started painting a year ago? Finish painting the back bedroom that I started a year ago?  Clean? no……

Instead, I shall make apple pancakes. And applesauce and apple pie and apple butter. And well, a lot of apple things, because I went apple picking last weekend.  Like nearly everyone that goes apple picking, we got quite zealous and brought home bushels and bushels and bushels of apples. I’ll be handing out loads of apple-themed goods for christmas. Act surprised! Heck…I might just hand you an apple. 🙂 Cheers.

Although I have a big crush on Mr Pumpkin, my true love is the humble Apple.  There are so many varieties.  A variety for all of my moods and emotions…tart or crisp or sweet or complicated. And who can resist that amazing aroma of baked cinnamon apples!? If you can resist it, your sick…weird…you need help.

So, with my loads of free time, I present an aroma therapy, gluten and grain free version of a german-style pancake that is made with coconut flour and loaded with cinnamon apples and walnuts.  It is made in one large oven proof skillet and would be perfect for crowds and the upcoming holidays.  The bottom of the “pancake” is layers of thinly sliced cinnamon spiced apples that bake in the oven while you prepare the batter. After the batter is whipped up, remove the baked apples from the oven, pour the prepared batter on top, sprinkle with nuts, place back into the oven, and let the holiday spirit and aroma fill your house. No fuss. Sit back. Sip that coffee. Then you can pull out a piping hot pancake that everyone gets to enjoy…..at the same time.

Oh…and don’t forget the real maple syrup, people. No Log Cabin! I mean it.  The pancake itself is not that sweet. It has natural sweetness from the apples, but it provides ample opportunity to manually sweeten your pancake slice with the goodness of fresh maple syrup and a dollop of coconut butter. Mmmm.

Note: This pancake is made with coconut flour. Coconut flour can not be substituted one for one with other flours. Because it does not contain gluten, it is dense and requires a poop ton of eggs to lighten and fluff up the recipe. Coconut flour can be found in most health food stores, online, and the health food section of most grocers.  It’s very healthy and packed with nutrients and fiber. It does not impart an overwhelming flavor of coconut to the pancake. It is the perfect balance of nuttiness. Don’t be scared….try something new!

German-Style Cinnamon Apple Walnut Pancake (adapted from the Foodie and The Family)

Serves 8

Ingredients

• 2 medium apples, sliced thin with skins on (I used fresh picked Fuji)
• 1 + 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 + 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted and divided (or unsalted butter)
• 4 tablespoons coconut palm sugar (or honey, maple syrup), divided
• 6 eggs, beaten
• 3/4 cup milk (or almond milk, coconut milk)
• 2 teaspoons gluten-free vanilla
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup walnut pieces
• 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Place 10-inch cast iron skillet in oven to preheat the skillet.
2. Core apples, but keep skins on. Slice the apples thinly with a mandolin slicer at about 1/8-inch thick. To the apples, add coconut palm sugar (or honey or maple syrup), 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg. Toss to coat with sugar and spices.
3. Remove the preheated skillet from oven. Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil  or butter to the skillet and allow to melt. Toss sliced apples into the skillet and stir to coat the apples with melted coconut oil. Spread the apples evenly along the bottom of the skillet. Place the skillet with the apples back into the preheated oven to bake while you prepare the batter (about 10 minutes).
4. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, melted coconut oil (or butter), vanilla, and coconut sugar. In a separate medium bowl, add coconut flour, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix well to combine or until there are no lumps.
5. Remove skillet with baked apples from oven. Stir apples and redistribute evenly along the bottom of the skillet. Pour batter mixture evenly over the prepared baked apples. Sprinkle with walnuts and unsweetened coconut.
6. Place the skillet back into the oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 375 F, or until top is golden brown.
7. Remove skillet from oven. Serve with fresh maple syrup and homemade coconut butter!