About the Recipe: This recipe was inspired by the beloved Gilmore Girls… In Season 4, episode 9 of Gilmore Girls (“Ted Koppel’s Big Night Out”), Luke offers Lorelai and Rory pancakes during the duo’s typical diner run. But he didn’t serve them just any pumpkin pancakes…Perfect for autumn, these pancakes combine the warm flavors of pumpkin and spices, creating a deliciously fluffy breakfast treat. Topped with a rich cinnamon butter, they’ll make you feel like you’re in Stars Hollow sitting in Luke’s Diner, enjoying a lazy Sunday morning with Lorelai and Rory. Channel your inner Lorelai and Rory and join me as I mix, flip, and serve up these fall treats (with a jumbo coffee of course), bringing a little piece of Gilmore Girls into your kitchen!

Ingredients:

For the Pancakes:

• 1/2 can pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 2 tbsp light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 2 tsp pumpkin spice
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt

For the Cinnamon Butter:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Make the Pancake Batter:
   • In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, milk, melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
   • In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Don’t overmix!
2. Cook the Pancakes:
   • Preheat a griddle or non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with butter.
   • Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface (about 2-3 minutes), then flip and cook until golden brown (another 2-3 minutes). Repeat with the remaining batter.
3. Prepare the Cinnamon Butter:
   • In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, powdered sugar, cinnamon, honey, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until creamy and smooth.
4. Serve:
   • Stack your pancakes high, top with generous dollops of cinnamon butter, and drizzle with maple syrup if desired. Enjoy this taste of Stars Hollow!