If you like pancakes (and, heck, who doesn’t?), I suspect you will very much enjoy these gingerbread darlings. The addition of whole-wheat flour lends a complexity and nuttiness to the pancakes without making them dense and heavy. The warm wheatiness buoys the molasses quality of the brown sugar and the intensity of the spices, enhancing the overall gingerbread quality. Lest you fear a sugary pancake experience, these mahogany beauties are only mildly sweet and pleasantly bright with a bit of orange zest. This batter comes together quickly, although be sure to plan ahead, as it needs to rest in the refrigerator for 3 to 6 hours. Once rested, however, the pancakes cook in a blink and in any size you desire. I actually think they are delicious enough to serve without additional flourish, but a spread of apple butter or drizzle of maple syrup certainly can’t hurt.

Ingredients
1 ¼ cups whole-wheat flour
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
5 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large egg
2 cups whole milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Apple Butter for serving ( next page)
Maple syrup for serving (optional)

Directions
Whisk together the whole-wheat flour, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and orange zest in a large bowl.

Heat 3 tablespoons of the butter in a small saucepan over low heat, or in a small bowl in the microwave at about 10-second intervals, until melted. Whisk together the egg, milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter in a medium bowl until combined.

Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and whisk just until combined. Avoid mixing the batter too thoroughly; some lumps are okay. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set in the refrigerator to chill and rest for at least 3 hours or overnight.

Using the remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons of butter, heat about 1 teaspoon in a large sauté pan or skillet over medium heat. (A nonstick pan is helpful here.)

Pour 1/4 cup of batter into the pan for each pancake. (Depending on the size of the pan, you will want to make about 2 at a time.) Cook for about 2 minutes, or until bubbles appear on the surface of the cakes and they begin to brown ever so slightly around the edges. Flip the cakes and cook on the other sides for about 2 minutes more. Remove the pancakes immediately to a serving plate, or set them on a baking sheet to keep warm in the oven (see Note). Carefully wipe the pan with a paper towel, melt another teaspoon of butter, and continue the process with the rest of the batter.

To serve, spread the pancakes with a layer of apple butter and/ or drizzle with maple syrup, if desired.

NOTE
If you want to prepare all of the pancakes before serving, position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 200°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the just-cooked pancakes on the baking sheet, layering them between sheets of parchment paper, and set them in the oven to keep warm.

Makes 3 ½ cups batter or 14 four-inch pancakes. Ingredients
3 pounds (about 8 medium) apples (such as Gala or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
1 cup apple cider
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 ¼ cups packed light or dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
¾ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon salt

Directions
Stir together the apples, cider, and lemon juice in a large saucepan. Partially cover the pan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes, or until the apples are softened.

Purée the cooked apples in a blender, food mill, or in the pan with an immersion blender. Return the purée to the saucepan (if necessary), add the remaining ingredients, and cook over very low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 11/2 to 2 hours, or until the apple butter is dark and very thick. The butter is done when pulling a wooden spoon through it creates a distinct path that fills in slowly.

Spoon the hot butter into sterilized jars, seal, and set on a wire rack to cool. Put the butter in the refrigerator for at least several days before using so that the flavors blend and soften. Store the apple butter in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Makes about 3 cups.

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Excerpted from Gingerbread: Timeless Recipes for Cakes, Cookies, Desserts, Ice Cream, and Candy by Jennifer Lindner McGlinn. Copyright 2009 by Chronicle Books. Excerpted with permission by Chronicle Books. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.