Happy Almost Thanksgiving!  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I think people find that a little odd sometimes, but it makes so much sense.  There are a couple reasons….Thanksgiving is a pure holiday, no commercialism, no gifts, nothing selfish….just family, food and football.  (oh wow, that might be the 3 most important things in the world)  It’s about spending time together and enjoying the day and being thankful for the many, many, many blessings we have.  We are SO blessed.  What’s not to like about that kind of holiday!?  Also, my birthday is in November, always the week of Thanksgiving (it happens to fall ON Thanksgiving this year, very fun!) and I always loved that.  As I may have mentioned, fall is my most favorite time of the year – so it’s just all the things I love at once! …birthday, fall, Thanksgiving, family, food, football.  Yay!  I hope you all are as blessed as I am to spend your day with family and enjoy a warm meal in a cozy house.  We are actually having both of our families over this year, so we get to see everyone we love in one day 🙂

Nothing says fall and Thanksgiving like pumpkin.  It’s like the official flavor and scent of the autumn season.  Pumpkin pie is one of my 2 favorite pies (peach is the other if you really want to know), um…another reason to love Thanksgiving?  But pumpkin is wonderful in so many ways and in so many dishes.  These pancakes are no exception.  Delicious!  These are easy to whip up, but will make your family feel special and like they are getting an extra treat.  I made these for my sister in law the other day for brunch and we pigged out a little 😉  My kids love them of course.  I admit to topping them with whipped cream…pretty sure any kid would eat anything covered in whipped cream.  We also ate them with homemade cinnamon syrup.  I think they would also be lovely sprinkled with chopped pecans.  Almost any time I make pancakes I double the batch and refrigerate the extras, which gives us a quick, but delicious breakfast anytime throughout the week.  Pancakes don’t have to be reserved for Saturday and Sunday!

Make these for your family on Thanksgiving morning and start the day off with 2 of the 3 most important things….family and food 🙂

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

(This recipe is originally waffles and they are wonderful!  I’ve made both waffles and pancakes with this recipe)

2 1/2 cups flour (1/2 whole wheat pastry flour)

1 tablespoon baking powder

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

4 eggs

2 cups buttermilk or milk

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup dark brown sugar (light can be used)

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cloves in a medium bowl and set aside.  Whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, pumpkin, brown sugar, butter and vanilla in a large bowl.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until smooth.  Pour batter into a hot, greased skillet and cook until risen and golden brown on one side, flip and cook until golden brown on the other side.  Serve with warm cinnamon syrup and whipped cream.  Optional: sprinkle with chopped pecans.  Store leftovers in refrigerator.