Hot Chocolate Pancakes

with Spiced Cream

YIELD: 10 portions

PORTION: 2 pancakes plus 1/4 c. cream 

 

 

INGREDIENTS:

1 c. 2% Milk, divided

5 Egg Yolks

1-1/2 tbsp. Cornstarch

1 c. Half & Half

1 Vanilla Bean, split and seeds scraped OR 2-1/2 tbsp. Vanilla Extract, divided

2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon

½ tsp. Cayenne Pepper

1/3 c. Granulated Sugar

1 tbsp. Butter

1 c. 2% Milk

4 tbsp. Butter, unsalted

2 Whole Eggs

1 tbsp. Vanilla Extract

1-1/4 c. All-Purpose Flour

4 tsp. Baking Powder

¾ tsp. Salt

4 env. (0.73 oz. ea) Swiss Miss® Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

1 Banana, small, diced

Reddi-wip® Real Cream Whipped Topping

 

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Spiced Cream: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 c. milk, egg yolks and cornstarch. Transfer another 1/2 c. milk and 1 c. half & half to heavy medium sauce pan. Add vanilla bean OR 2-1/2 tsp. vanilla, plus cinnamon and cayenne. Sprinkle with sugar, letting sugar sink undisturbed to bottom. Set pan over moderate heat and bring to simmer without stirring. Whisk hot milk mixture, then gradually whisk into egg yolk mixture to temper the egg yolks. Return to saucepan over moderate heat and cook, whisking constantly, until pastry cream simmers and thickens, about 1 minute. Remove from heat, discard vanilla pod if needed, add butter and whisk cream until smooth. Transfer to bowl and press plastic wrap directly onto surface. Chill until cold, about 4 hours. (Pastry cream can be made ahead and refrigerated, wrapped well with plastic wrap on surface, up to 3 days.)

  2. Pancakes: Heat 1 c. milk and 4 tbsp. butter just until butter has melted. Set aside and cool. Mix 2 eggs and 1 tbsp. vanilla into cooled mixture. Sift the flour, 4 tsp. sugar, baking powder, salt and Hot Cocoa Mix together into a bowl, incorporating thoroughly. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients; stir until just incorporated (batter should be slightly lumpy). Fold diced banana into mixture; pour batter onto hot griddle or frying pan and cook until golden brown.

  3. Serve 2 pancakes with spiced custard in between and top with Reddi-wip.