Enjoy this stack of fluffy applesauce pancakes and know you’re tasting a piece of Colorado’s deep agricultural past.
According to the Boulder Apple Tree Project, Colorado was a national apple powerhouse in the late 1800s, with hundreds of varieties thriving from the Front Range to Grand Junction. Though disease, drought, and prohibition later slowed the industry, a remarkable legacy remains: hardy, resilient trees that contribute to the unique flavor and crispness of modern Colorado apples like Fuji, Gala, and Honeycrisp.
This recipe honors that heritage by transforming the season’s bounty, picked fresh from farm stands or U-pick orchards, into a warm meal ideal for a crisp autumn morning. Top with a drizzle of maple syrup and toasted pecans for a meal that offers a nutritious start and tangible connection to Colorado agriculture.
Want to bring this harvest home? Find your nearest farmers market in our Farm Fresh Directory—available in English and Spanish. Explore Colorado Proud to connect with the producers who grow and craft the food that makes meals like this possible.
Yield: 4 servings | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 cups dry pancake mix (Honeyville or Taste of the Rockies, or make your own)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup applesauce (Gala Gala Apple Sauce by Ela Family Farms)
- Oil for frying
Directions
- Add the lemon juice into the milk and let stand to create buttermilk.
- Stir pancake mix and cinnamon together in a large bowl.
- Add the eggs, applesauce, and milk with lemon juice. Stir until smooth.
- Heat a lightly oiled pan or griddle over medium heat.
- Pour or scoop ¼ cup batter onto the pan or griddle. Cook until bubbles form and the edges are dry. Flip and cook until browned on the other side.
- Repeat with the remaining batter.
Pairing Suggestions
Want to take your brunch from basic to brilliant? Elevate your experience with a sparkling pairing: the Apple Cider Mimosa! We suggest using crisp, local apple cider and blending it with the vibrant bubbles of Carboy Winery’s CO.SECCO. It’s a fizzy, festive, and utterly fun adult beverage guaranteed to set the perfect brunch. Stir with a cinnamon stick for extra fall vibes.
Seeking a non-alcoholic option that’s just exciting? Meet Fizzy Moo, the carbonated dairy soda everyone will be talking about. This surprising, refreshing mash-up delivers a twist on dairy that perfectly complements your breakfast experience.
