Whole Wheat Cherry Vanilla Bean Pancakes

My daughter is usually in charge of deciding what type of pancakes we make on pancake morning. Usually she comes up with her own creations and other times she browses through  my pancake folder on Pinterest. That is where she saw these pancakes and she immediately asked to make them.

I was hesitant at first since cherries aren't in season yet. I was pleasantly surprised to find out these pancakes call for frozen cherries which are available year round. :)

The pancakes have chopped cherries in them and are topped with cooked cherries and a delicious vanilla bean glaze. SO GOOD!

Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Cherry Vanilla Bean Pancakes
Recipe from How Sweet It Is

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs, well beaten
1 3/4 cups milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
contents of 1/2 vanilla bean
2 cups frozen cherries

Stir together dry ingredients. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Fold in vanilla beans. Mix until dry ingredients are moistened. Chop 1 cup of cherries into fine pieces. You can either stir them into the batter (the pancakes will turn reddish-blue in color) or drop the cherries in the batter while each pancake is cooking. To cook, heat a griddle or skillet on medium heat and pout in 1/4 cup of batter. Flip once tiny bubbles appear on the pancakes.

Heat remaining cup of cherries in a saucepan or in the microwave. Mash with a fork and stuff in between pancakes and drizzle juice on top. Top with vanilla glaze.

Vanilla Bean Glaze

1 heaping cup of powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 1/2 tablespoons milk
contents of 1/2 vanilla bean

Add sugar to bowl and stir in heavy cream and vanilla until mixture resembles a thick batter. Add milk one tablespoon at a time, stirring until smooth – about 3-5 full minutes. Mixture may look lumpy at first but just continue to stir and it will come together. Fold in vanilla beans and pour over pancakes.