Simply Sugarless: Whole Wheat Pancakes

Welcome to our third installment of Simply Sugarless, a new column written by Starr Struck's own Sara Meeks!

​I'll let her take it away...

---

’Tis the season for lots of things: thinking of others, shopping, holiday cards, and mostly…sugar.

Sweets are everywhere and there's no way to get around it this time of year, so instead of trying to convince you to make a sweet that doesn’t have sugar (they would never compare with your favorite cookies!), I’ve decided to tackle a more realistic challenge: a sugar-free breakfast.

Over the next couple of sweet-filled weeks, take a pass on the cinnamon rolls and donuts and instead, try my go-to pancakes as your festive breakfast treat. I make them almost every weekend; the whole wheat flour and oatmeal adds an extra density that I find myself missing when I eat the “normal” variety these days. The applesauce and orange juice add just enough natural sweetness, and tossing a few berries on top helps keep the maple syrup out of the equation, too.

Enjoy this sugar-free breakfast…so you can binge on more cookies after lunch ;) 

Sugar-Free Whole Wheat Pancakes
Cooking time: 10 minute prep, 20 minute cooking (30 minutes total)
Yield: 16-18 pancakes

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 TBSP unsweetened applesauce
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup old fashioned oatmeal
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• mixed frozen berries (to top pancakes when serving)

Directions:

• In a large bowl, add eggs, milk, OJ, and applesauce. Beat with a fork until blended and bubbly.
• Add the dry ingredients to the same bowl (no need to dirty another one) and mix until all ingredients are combined. 
• Grease a large saucepan and heat over medium-low heat (my temperature of choice is just a smidgen under medium heat but see what your cooktop requires).
• Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop pancake batter into pan. I find that makes the most manageable size for flipping.
• Flip when ready (a minute or two depending on heat setting)--I’m not sure what it is about this recipe but these won’t bubble quite as much as typical pancakes when they’re ready to flip. Just pay close attention and peek under the edges after a minute or two.
• Let the second side cook for another minute or two and remove from heat. Remember: these are made with whole wheat flour so they are going to end up a bit darker than what you’re used to. Don’t undercook them to create a lighter color.
• Serve topped with thawed-out frozen berries.

MEET SIMPLY SUGARLESS:

Each month, I’ll be scouring the internet and my own personal recipe box for simple, sugarfree recipes that you can make without a bunch of exotic (and expensive) ingredients. I’m not suggesting that all the recipes will be super healthy (we’re still talking about baked goods and sweets, people), but I promise the recipes highlighted will be *healthier* versions of delicious treats, yummy snacks, and long-time favorite eats.

My goal here is to completely avoid refined white sugar and/or any of the artificial sweeteners that are usually present in sugar-free recipes. I’m also going to try my very hardest not to use any super-sugary syrup substitutes like honey and agave  (although maple syrup and molasses might make a cameo every now and then because they have a few more beneficial qualities in the form of vitamins + minerals). 

And one final note: you’ll notice that the recipe is listed right at the top of this post. Does it drive anyone else crazy when you have to scroll down forever to reach the actual recipe on most websites? Hope this intentional formatting makes your life just a bit easier ;) ​

​
​MEET SARA:

​My interest in finding sugarfree recipes stems from my quest to find healthier snack options for my sons (3.5 and 1.5 years).

As it turns out (spoiler alert!) sugar is in everything. I started substituting different ingredients for sugar and have realized that a lot of times I don’t miss it at all.

When I’m not dreaming up or testing new yummy recipes, I love spending my time with my husband and our boys, crafting, practicing yoga, reading, and taking photographs.

​If you’re interested in learning a little more about me, here’s the introduction Mary Catherine wrote up when I joined the Starr Stuck team and here’s my little one-photo-a-day blog that journals the daily adventures of living with little ones in Washington, D.C.

​Thanks so much, Sara! Enjoy and happy pancake-mornings, everyone ;)