Black Forest Pancakes

This morning I woke to the news of that horrible shooting in Colorado.  While my thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved, I can't help but be thankful to be surrounded by family and friends. 

We ate brunch as a family this morning, which it very unusual for a Friday morning.  This morning I made Black forest pancakes from a recipe I found on Closet Cooking.  I will admit his pancakes were not nearly as messy looking as mine, but when you added whipped cream to warm pancakes and cherries, things are bound to melt.  The pancakes themselves are chocolate and extremely tasty and they may or may not contain a splash or two of kirsch.  Fresh cherries are pitted and cut in half and cooked with water, a little sugar, and some flour or cornstarch, just until thick and a nice syrup has formed.  The pancakes are then topped with the warm cherries and freshly whipped cream and stacked accordingly.  These were a huge success and a must make again and again.

Black Forest Pancakes
Source: Closet Cooking

Pancake

• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 splash kirsch (optional)

Cherries

• 2 cups cherries, pitted and halved
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons corn starch
• 1/4 cup water

Whipped Cream

• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Start by combining the whipping cream and powdered sugar, whip until stiff peaks form, place in refrigerator until ready to use.

In a medium size mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, salt, cocoa powder, and baking powder whisk and make a well in the middle.  In another bowl or large measuring cup combine egg, melted butter, milk, and kirsch.  Mix until well combined.  Slowly pour the milk mixture into the well made in the flour mixture and mix until combined.  Allow to sit for while getting the cherries ready.

Pit and half the cherries.  (I used Rigby for this task) Combine cherries, flour, water, and sugar in a medium sauce pan.  Cook over low heat until thick, roughly 5 minutes give or take.  Keep an eye on it and stir fairly frequently as it will stick to the bottom of the pan and stick.  When thick, remove from heat and let sit on the stove.

Heat a griddle or fry pan over medium heat.  Lightly spray with cooking spray and ladle in the pancake batter.  When the tops become bubbly, flip the pancake and cook for another minute or so.  Repeat until all the batter becomes pancakes. 

To assemble top a pancake with some cherries, top with whipped cream, another pancake, more cherries, more whipped cream, another pancake, more cherries, and finally more whipped cream.  Serve it the family and enjoy.