One of the things I’m looking forward to over the next couple of years as Ben and I start a family is creating some fun new family routines. That’s right. I’m so type A that I literally cannot wait to incorporate more routines into my life. (I can practically hear Ben’s eyes rolling from here…)
Anyway, growing up, my family life revolved heavily around routines and traditions, which I have (mostly) fond memories of.
My Dad coming home from work every week with a “Friday Treat” for my brothers and me? Super fond. Monday night spaghetti night? Fond. Church potluck suppers on Wednesday nights followed by choir practice? Mostly fond. Cleaning our bedrooms and the house every Sunday afternoon. Not so fond.
Please note that most of the fond memories revolve around food, and how weird is the word “fond” sounding right now after reading it for the 15th time in under a minute?
Anyway, every Sunday morning before weekly bedroom cleaning commenced (ugh) my Dad would fire up the stove after church and make my brothers, Mom, and me whatever we wanted for brunch. This was the best part of the weekend!
French toast, pancakes, waffles, eggs, omelets, bacon, hash browns, or biscuit dough doughnuts from the Fry Daddy (omg) – he’d make a different dish for every single family member if we wanted it.
Well, last Sunday, when the whole family was at my brother and sister-in-law’s house after Evie’s baptism, I found out my brother has continued the tradition of making Sunday morning brunch for his family every week. Adorable.
We also found out that he’s continued the Friday night treat tradition for Finn (and eventually Evie, when she gets teeth!) which made my Dad so happy that it sent him into an emotional tailspin. It was…hilarious.
At any rate, apparently his specialty is homemade Banana Pancakes, as Finn is a banana fanatic, which he flipped all morning long for everyone who had come into town for the baptism. With a house full of grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and more, there was a lot of mouths to feed, but he put the petal to the metal, went into Iron Chef mode (his words exactly,) and cranked out pancake after pancake ’til we had all gotten our fill.
They were delicious!Â
Normally I’m not a huge fan of “stuff,” like chocolate chips or berries, in my pancakes, but I am totally making an exception for these babies. Fluffy, tender, and laced with warm, creamy, banana pieces, each bite absolutely melted in my mouth.
They were so good, in fact, that I called my brother 2 days later and made him recite the recipe to me from memory so that I could make them for Ben and myself. Which I did. And now you can too! Well, not for Ben and me – but your family anyway!
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My Brother’s Banana Pancakes
Description
Banana Pancakes are the pancakes my brother makes for his family every weekend. Fluffy yet dense, they're pancake perfection!
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 or 4 Tablespoons sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)
- 2 eggs, slightly beaten
- 4 Tablespoons melted butter, cooled & divided
- 2 cups milk
- 2 bananas, mashed to desired consistency (my bro likes them chunky)
- Maple syrup
Directions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large bowl then make a well in the center. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, 2 Tablespoons melted butter, and milk. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients then whisk until just combined. Fold in bananas.
- Brush pre-heated skillet with a bit of remaining melted butter, then pour a scant 1/4 cup batter to form each pancake. When bubbles appear all over the top of each pancake, flip then cook until golden brown. Remove to a plate and very loosely cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter then serve with warm maple syrup.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Whip up a batch of these Banana Pancakes for a yummy treat this weekend, or any night of the week for a quick and fun brinner. That’d be breakfast for dinner. You’ll love ’em!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen 10.31.2012
Your family totally sounds like my in-laws! They still have a Sunday morning brunch and my hubby has tried to get me to follow suit. Of course we had cold cereal on Sunday mornings, so it’s a little harder for me to imagine doing that much work!
The pancakes look amazing. Your brother has good taste!
Stacy 10.31.2012
These look delish…and is it just me or did anyone else end up with Jack Johnson stuck in their head?!!
Candy 10.31.2012
My hubby makes banana pancakes for me as a special treat….they are so awesome!! He puts oatmeal in them too….sooo good!!
Micah 10.31.2012
I love this — the recipe and the stories. :) I think little traditions like that are great. Obviously, they were memorable to you and your siblings. It just goes to show that the most important things we can do for our kids are the little things. That’s what they’ll remember.
Sara L 10.31.2012
Wow this recipe looks great and I can not wait to try it out!! Do you think I could use almond milk instead of regular milk for this recipe??
Iowa Girl Eats 11.01.2012
Definitely! My nephew is allergic to cow’s milk so they use almond!
Becky 10.31.2012
Our dads would be such little buddies! He would bring us Saturday Surprises, and he is the king of big weekend breakfasts! I love good dads :)
Tiffany 10.31.2012
I read your blog just about everyday. I enjoy seeing the pics of your family and hearing about you guys’ traditions. It sounds like you really had a great childhood with the “all American family” feel, you know? It’s wonderful. I love reading your stories and hearing about the great times you had with them.
Lauren 10.31.2012
OMG these look so so good! Seriously, I love how light they turn out. Looks like cooking runs in your family.
Lauren 10.31.2012
There are so many things that I love about this post:
1. The closeness of your family
2. Fond, fond fond – haha yes it sounds weird!!
3. Is someone preggo?
4. New word: Brinner
Wow I just made a list.. the type A in me as well
Iowa Girl Eats 11.01.2012
3: No! :)
Allison 10.31.2012
Great pancake pictures.
Do you really have time to incorporate MORE routines into your life? Between blogging, cooking and your full time job, you’ve got to be crazy busy!
Prairie Bee 10.31.2012
The recipe looks awesome!!!! But I am also in LOVE with those plates!!!! Will you share where you got them?
Also ~ when you start a family those little munchkins are going to be the cutest things ever (not to mention totally, wonderfully well-fed!) :)
Cher @ Weddicted 10.31.2012
Omg! I was so sad because no one in my family likes bananas! Not my husband, siblings, parents, in-laws..!!!? What?! BUT, I realized that I could just freeze extras.. although I’m sure they’re much better the first time.
Do you think I could at least half the recipe?
Iowa Girl Eats 11.01.2012
You can totally halve the recipe (or double, or triple – it’s very forgiving.) You can also swap out the banana for something everyone else would like too! :)
Katie @ Blonde Ambition 10.31.2012
I love the light color of these — they look sooo fluffy and perfect!
Afton 10.31.2012
“as Ben and I start a family”
Are you pregnant? If so- squeeee!!! :)
If not, we readers can’t wait!
Iowa Girl Eats 11.01.2012
No, I’m not! :)
Michelle @ From Seed To Tree 10.31.2012
Yummers. Looks absolutely delicious. I have a fond banana memory from my childhood. As a treat, my mother would make the most delicious banana smoothies. :)
I could certainly add these pancakes to the “tradition” mix!
Danielle @ itsaharleyyylife 10.31.2012
yummy yummy yummy! (: they looks delicious!
Lindsey 10.31.2012
Oh yes! These look like a great “filler” after my Pumpkin Spice Eggo Waffles are gone after the season. :)
Ed 10.31.2012
Oh wow those look good…care to cater my breakfast on Saturday? lol
Lindsay @ The Reluctant Runner 10.31.2012
Oh man these look awesome! I make a huge breakfast every Saturday morning (we call it naughty breakfast at my house ;)) and now I know what is on the menu for this Saturday!
Blog is the New Black 10.31.2012
These look (and sound!) phenomenal….. I can’t wait to start traditions/routines, too!