Is there anything better than waking up late on a Saturday or Sunday morning only to throw on some clothes and head over to a local restaurant with a few close friends to rehash the events of the night before over a good, hearty brunch? Sex and the City style. All of the sordid details strewn around the table as if they were condiments or, more relevantly, jars of those flavored maple syrups.

She writes at 9:01 AM on a Saturday morning from the quiet and comfort of her bedroom. Oh, the irony.

I haven’t done this since college, when my friends I would throw these ridiculously parties and, in a slightly compromised state, would make plans to get up the next day – hungover or not – and try to piece the evening together over some Eggs Benedict at Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge or the most sickeningly sweet (by which I mean heavenly) French Toast with caramel, rum, bananas and mint at Sonsie on Newbury Street. NOTE – if you are ever in the Boston area, you should visit at least one of these two dining establishments. They are awesome.

There is nothing like a good Hollandaise sauce to make you forget about the fact that silly string may or may not be permanently embedded in your floor. And that you are going to have to spend the afternoon scraping it off with a knife. Or that there is a vodka-filled watermelon hiding in your closet. That you are going to have to (a) remember is there and then (b) decide whether or not to dispose of.

Those were the days.
Now, Sophie and I do something similar wherein she comes into my room the morning after, lays down on my bed while I am sitting at my desk (most likely blogging) and we discuss, sometimes in excruciating detail (we are girls and thus have a penchant for overanalysis) the trials and tribulations of the previous evening. Or just life in general if we didn’t go out the previous evening.

It’s a lovely ritual.

Although I can’t help would think that it could be even better if done over some bacon and eggs. Or these baked apple pancakes. Which are kind-of a cross between a sweet frittata and a pancake. I can’t actually describe it at all, except to say that I loved the texture as well as the brown sugar/cinnamon sauce that ends up caramelizing on top. Or maybe i just love the idea of having dessert for breakfast AND lunch. Distinct possibility.
I got this recipe from The Bon Appetit Cookbook, which I bought at BJ’s a few weeks ago. It was on sale for $10. Down from $40. There was no way I could pass that up. It is as large a tome as Bon Appetit Fast/Easy/Fresh, and is only different from it in that some of the recipes require lengthy cooking times (roasts, yeast breads, etc.) and so it has a more extensive amalgam of dishes in it. Plus the cover is orange instead of green. In case you were wondering.

Baked Apple Pancakes
Serves 2, adapted from The Bon Appetit Cookbook

1 granny smith apple
2 tsp lemon juice
4 eggs
3/4 cup skim milk
3/4 cup flour
1 tbsp sugar
1/8 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp butter

  • Preheat oven to 450. Toss apple slices with lemon juice. Whisk eggs and milk in large bowl to blend. Add flour, 1 tbsp sugar, and salt; whisk until batter is almost smooth. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and remaining sugar.
  • Spray two 6-inch ovenproof nonstick skillets. Pour half of batter into each skillet. Arrange half of apple slices evenly over batter in each skillet.
  • Transfer skillets to oven and bake until pancakes are set around edges but still wet in center, about 8 minutes.
  • Remove from oven; sprinkle half of brown sugar mixture over each pancake. Dot each with 1 tbsp butter. Using spatula, carefully turn pancakes over. Return to oven. Bake until pancakes rise, sugar mixture melts to sauce consistency, and top is golden, about 6 minutes. Invert onto plates and serve warm.

1. Preheat oven to 450. Toss apple slices with lemon juice. Whisk eggs and milk in large bowl to blend. Add flour, 1 tbsp sugar, and salt; whisk until batter is almost smooth. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and remaining sugar.

2. Spray two 6-inch ovenproof nonstick skillets. Pour half of batter into each skillet. Arrange half of apple slices evenly over batter in each skillet.

3. Transfer skillets to oven and bake until pancakes are set around edges but still wet in center, about 8 minutes.

4. Remove from oven; sprinkle half of brown sugar mixture over each pancake. Dot each with 1 tbsp butter. Using spatula, carefully turn pancakes over. Return to oven. Bake until pancakes rise, sugar mixture melts to sauce consistency, and top is golden, about 6 minutes. Invert onto plates and serve warm.

I am submitting this to this edition of the Monthly Mingle, the theme of which is Brunch. It is being hosted by the lovely Meeta over at What’s For Lunch, Honey?
  • Preheat oven to 450. Toss apple slices with lemon juice. Whisk eggs and milk in large bowl to blend. Add flour, 1 tbsp sugar, and salt; whisk until batter is almost smooth. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and remaining sugar.
  • Spray two 6-inch ovenproof nonstick skillets. Pour half of batter into each skillet. Arrange half of apple slices evenly over batter in each skillet.
  • Transfer skillets to oven and bake until pancakes are set around edges but still wet in center, about 8 minutes.
  • Remove from oven; sprinkle half of brown sugar mixture over each pancake. Dot each with 1 tbsp butter. Using spatula, carefully turn pancakes over. Return to oven. Bake until pancakes rise, sugar mixture melts to sauce consistency, and top is golden, about 6 minutes. Invert onto plates and serve warm.

You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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37 Responses to Monthly Mingle: Brunch – Baked Apple Pancakes

  1. Lea Ann says:

    This looks really good. Most certainly will give it a try. I can just smell that cinnamon! YUM

  2. Looks simply scrumptious! Wait – what do you mean those were the days? You mean in my forties I’m not supposed to still have vodka filled watermelons hiding in my closet? 😉

  3. I have this cookbook too, a great value.
    What a fun breakie – I love the apples in it!
    Sigh, my girlfriend breakies the morning after the night before seem so far away..

  4. girlichef says:

    I totally miss those kind of days! They’ve been few & far between since college ended. I need to make myself some grown-up girlfriends and start kickin’ it Sex & the City style…afterall, we could all use that! 😀 p.s…this looks super good.

  5. Barbara says:

    I like these! Easy to do, too.
    I used to love hashing out party details the following morning! Guess those days are over for me- nobody my age parties like that anymore. BORING.

  6. Mari says:

    Wow that really good!

    Have I mentioned how much I love your anecdotes =)

  7. Sophie says:

    MMMMMMMMMMM,…the pancakes look superbe!!

    MMMMMM,…what else can I say?????

  8. teresa says:

    what fun rituals! this looks wonderful!

  9. kickpleat says:

    Seriously this is one of my most favorite kind of pancakes. Yum.

  10. SnoWhite says:

    yummy 🙂 I like the way you think.

  11. Pam says:

    Oh, this sounds good. And I think I need another cookbook.

  12. Xiaolu says:

    Ah the good old days when I partied into the wee hours! I was actually just reminiscing about those too. But late nights or not, these look and sound like the perfect fall/winter brunch treat.

  13. Nat says:

    Totally Cool ! I’ve only ever baked savory pancakes. This looks awesome and also so easy to compile with that no fuss ingredients list…I would even serve this as a hearty desert ! : )

  14. SE(Denufood) says:

    hi..this looks so yummy..and what a co-incidence..i too have a pancake to be posted..

  15. Kim says:

    I don’t know if I ever had a watermelon in my closet, but I’ve definitely enjoyed rehashing the evening over breakfast/brunch!! I really miss those days. This looks like a wonderful breakfast/brunch.

  16. Great recipe Joanne. I have always wanted to try it, having read it first in Pierre Franey’s book. Sounds perfect for a Sunday!

  17. comfycook says:

    Hmmm, delicious. I just posted two apple pancake style recipes also. Tis the season and they are great for brunch.

  18. Just found your blog. Those look amazing 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you cook up next!

  19. Ça semble très bon. Bravo!
    A bientôt.

  20. Michelle says:

    There’s a restaurant in my area that is famous for their apple pancakes and it is HUGE. I swear it would feed a family of five easily.

    I did venture into making one about 20 yrs ago and it turned out great.

    You’ve inspired me and I think I will revisit the Apple Pancake again!

  21. Lele says:

    That is some unbelievable caramelization you’ve got there.
    I’ve always wanted to get brunch at Sonsie, but the line is always so intimidating!

  22. Debinhawaii says:

    Looks delicious–a perfect brunch dish and perfecting for brunch “dishing” too! 😉

  23. Christine says:

    This looks delicious. I will have to make it for our family brunch after church on Sundays. It will be a great addition.

  24. Shannon says:

    now i’m hungry 😉 this looks absolutely divine!!

  25. This looks so delicious! I made something similar before from Tyler. It was heavenly! I hope you saved the watermelon for a repeat of all the fun!

  26. Amy says:

    LOL. This post brought back some fond college memories. Although, I don’t remember ever being fancy enough to make someting like this 🙁 We lived off of baked potatoes and Top Ramen. Good times.

  27. april says:

    What a great recipe! And so healthy!

  28. Wow, $10! That is a tough one to pass up. Well, the pancakes look worth it for sure!

  29. toni says:

    Wish I had read this yesterday instead of today! Oh well — it will have to wait until next weekend…. (sigh..)

  30. Sophia says:

    Holy shit! That sounds amazing! Wow, Joanne! You’re always outdoing yourself! I was just bragging about what an amazing person with awesome recipes you are to Maggie and Coco!

    Oh and I love Sophie’s name! 😉

  31. MeetaK says:

    oh joanne i love this kind of no fuss pancakes. just perfect and always so satisfying! thanks for bringing this along to the monthly mingle!

  32. Graziana says:

    I love your pancakes… I think they’re a match for my cinnamon basil tea!

  33. Palidor says:

    You described such an awesome morning. Hanging out with a good friend, chatting, and enjoying great food. I can’t imagine a better start to the day!

  34. Kerstin says:

    That is a perfect morning! I’d eat your pancakes any time of the day though, they look amazing! I’ll have to check out those Boston brunch spots too.

    Oh, and I just noticed your book list on the side, what a great idea! I just finished American Wife and enjoyed it, so I’m going to check out some of your other recommendations.

  35. Johanna GGG says:

    wow these look superb – I keep wanting to try a baked pancake and love the look of these ones

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