Easy (Cheater) Pumpkin Pancakes

     So my favorite thing about fall? Pumpkin. Nothing makes me more excited than seeing pumpkin in almost everything, then I think why not all year? Then I realize pumpkin taking center stage for two months rather than twelve is why I get so excited about it and makes it such a treat. I could put a recipe I have to make these from scratch but in a spirit of honesty these capture all the magic and take 10 minutes. Truly just 10 minutes for 10 moist, slightly sweet, slightly spicy, golden pancakes that will win over anyone and bring pumpkin to center stage at your next breakfast. May want to double this . . . 10 go really fast.

      So when I am going for fast and easy I like Krusteaz Buttermilk pancake mix the best. To make the batter add 1 1/2 C mix, 3/4 C water, and 1C canned pumpkin or homemade puree and mix.
     Once somewhat mixed add 1/2 t pumpkin pie spice (or 1/4 t cinnamon, 1/8 t ground ginger, several grates of nutmeg or a healthy pinch of ground nutmeg and a healthy pinch of allspice. Then stir and adjust thickness of your batter if needed with additional water. I like mine about the consistency of yogurt.

     Heat your griddle to 350 degrees F or pan on medium and lightly oil or spray the surface. Then ladle out your batter.
     Never made pancakes before? Look for bubbles to form on the surface, when they pop they will form craters across the surface, when you have all craters and no bubbles, they're ready to flip. This picture if you click to enlarge it shows mostly bubbles with a few craters to give you and idea of what I'm talking about.

    
     Give them a couple minutes on the other side and they'll be ready to go, as will you. They smell like pumpkin pie and if you're like me there is almost nothing better.
     Serve with: butter and maple syrup, butter and powdered sugar, maple butter, sweetened ricotta, cream cheese glaze, or a personal favorite in my house is to slather them with chocolate hazlenut spread. Any way you do it these are sure to please and quick and easy.