Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

I woke up on Saturday morning craving something sweet and delicious. I've been following Weight Watchers (and doing a pretty good job!), but it was one of those times when I knew I would keep picking and snacking all morning if I didn't just have something I really wanted. I knew I'd end up eating just as many points in the end. So, this million point breakfast was born...

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

  

These pancakes are best when they are piping hot, so you need to do all of the prep work for the toppings ahead of time.

Sweet Pecans

1.5 oz raw pecans

1 tsp white sugar

1. Put the pecans into a small frying pan and sprinkle the sugar over them.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar melts and coats the nuts.
3. Set aside to cool.
4. Roughly chop just before you start making the pancakes

Cream Cheese Icing

2 oz low-fat cream cheese

1 tbsp unsalted butter at room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 oz confectioner's sugar (approximately 1 cup)

1-2 tbsp fat free half and half or milk

1. Beat together the cream cheese and butter in a small mixing bowl.
2. Add confectioner's sugar, vanilla, and 1 tbsp of milk mixing until well combined.
3. Add milk in 1 tsp increments and beat until the icing has a thin (but NOT runny) consistency.

Cinnamon Swirl Filling

1/4 cup unpacked brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp white sugar

pinch of nutmeg

pinch of salt

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.

Now you are ready to make the pancakes!

Buttermilk Pancakes

1 1/2 cups of unbleached all purpose flour

3 1/2 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

1 tbsp white sugar

1 1/4 cups buttermilk

1 egg

2 tbsp melted butter

1-2 tsp milk

1. In a glass measuring cup whisk the buttermilk, egg, and melted butter.
2. Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl creating a well in the center.
3. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth. If your batter is too thick at this point, add the extra 1-2 tsp of milk to thin it out a bit.
4. Spoon the batter onto a greased griddle or frying pan (make any size you chose!)
5. Sprinkle 1-2 tsp of the cinnamon filling all over the top of the pancake
6. Use a spoonful of the batter and create the "swirl" appearance of a cinnamon roll
7. Flip the pancakes over when the first side is browned.
8. Plate each pancake with a drizzle of the cream cheese icing and as many of the sweet pecans as you'd like