Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes....YUM-O!

10 officers came last Saturday in three different shifts.  Something big came up and the last three didn't arrive until around 10:00 am.  No matter.  One officer called around 9:15 am and asked "how long would I be serving breakfast."  Huh?  Well....until the last officer can get here, of course -- that's how long. :)

I was brave and tried the cinnamon swirl pancakes and everyone loved them!

Here's what you need.

You're not hallucinating.....yes, I use Aunt Jemima pancake mix.  Are you surprised?  I tried making pancakes from scratch - twice - and I couldn't find a recipe that tasted as good as Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Complete. We all love being able to say 'I made it from scratch', but scratch is not always better.  Plus, time is an issue with all that I have to cook.  Last year I posted a story called "Is making pancakes from scratch worth the effort?"  Long story, short....nope!  Click here for that post.  

Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes 
Adapted from this recipe

2 cups Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Complete pancake mix (or your favorite recipe or mix)
1-1/2 cups water

Cinnamon Filling

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, just melted (not boiling)

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Glaze 

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

I used a pastry bag to pipe the filling out, but a ZipLoc baggie works well too.  If you use a ZipLoc, add the filling and make sure the bag is sealed well.  Snip the corner of the baggie and squeeze the filling through the open corner. 

Mix the pancake mix and water together until the large lumps disappear (use a wire whisk if you have one).  Let stand 1-2 minutes to thicken.  I usually transfer the mixture to a plastic tea pitcher -- it makes it easier to pour.  Heat the griddle to 350 degrees.  After the griddle is hot, lightly grease to prevent sticking (I use spray Pam.)  Pour the mix on the griddle making 3-5 pancakes.  After the pancakes starts to bubble slightly, add the filling. I started the swirl from the outer circle of the pancake and swirled to the center, but some start with the center and swirl out (do what's easiest for you.)  When the bottom is a golden brown, flip it over.  Takes just a minute after you flip it, then it's done.

Because of the sugar, I found the pancakes seemed to stick more to the griddle, so spray more Pam on the griddle when you lift the pancake to flip it. It seemed to help some.  

Note:  I didn't do the cream cheeses glaze with this first batch, but will serve the glaze next time and will post an update.  But they were so good, some officers didn't even put syrup on it -- they ate it plain.