The Cheesecake Factory reveals its Caramel Apple Pancakes recipe

From a lavish brunch to breakfast for dinner, the Caramel Apple Pancakes recipe from The Cheesecake Factory could be the home cook’s best kept secret. While many people indulge in this over the top creation at their favorite restaurant, now it can be enjoyed in from the comfort of the couch. Ready to upgrade that short stack?

Pancake recipes come in all shapes many varieties. While boxed mixes can offer a convenient meal, sometimes that traditional buttermilk pancake needs a little upgrade.

At The Cheesecake Factory, the over the top menu has captivated people for years. Although some people might choose their cheesecake dessert prior to picking the main meal, the variety of food options on the menu often bring people back time and again. The vast variety ensures that any craving can and will be satisfied.

What makes The Cheesecake Factory’s Caramel Apple Pancakes recipe a flip above the rest?

For the most part, every pancake recipe is basically the same. Flour, buttermilk, eggs, and seasonings to create a light, fluffy delight. The items that set one recipe apart from the others are the extras.

Looking at this recipe, the added texture from the granola gives a nod to an apple crisp. Without adding too much texture, it gives the contrast that these pancakes need.

As for the apple pie filling, there can be a few hacks to streamline this recipe. A canned apple pie recipe can be customized with a touch of all-spice, nutmeg or even a just a touch of cinnamon.

Otherwise, the recipe might have a lot of ingredients, but it is fairly easy to make. Even if the final result doesn’t have perfectly stacked pancakes and the swirl is a little more abstract, the first bite will be as delicious as the last crumb.

The only downside to this recipe, you will probably want to double or triple the recipe. Two pancakes each is just not enough.

Here’s how to make The Cheesecake Factory’s Caramel Apple Pancakes recipe

Ingredients

• 1-3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 Tbl Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 2 cups Buttermilk
• 2 ea. Eggs
• 1 tsp. Vanilla
• 2 Tbls. Vegetable Oil
• 2 tsps. Vegetable Oil
• 2 Tbls. Cinnamon Swirl
• 8 oz. Apple Pie Filling – cooked*
• 2 oz. Granola*
• 4 tsps. Caramel Sauce*
• 4 oz. Whipped Cream
• 4 tsps. Powdered Sugar

Instructions

• Place the flour, baking powder and salt into a mixing bowl. Stir all of the ingredients together until evenly combined. Set aside.
• Pour the buttermilk into another mixing bowl. Add the eggs, vanilla and oil into the bowl.
• Add the flour mix into the bowl with the buttermilk. Continue to fold the ingredients together until evenly combined with a few small lumps remaining in the batter. Do not over mix the batter.
• Heat 1/4 tsp of vegetable oil on a griddle or in a large non-stick pan. Using a 4 oz. ladle, pour the batter onto the griddle or into the non-stick pan, forming one pancake that is 6” in diameter.
• Divide the apple pie filling in half, set aside one half. Sprinkle a little bit of the first half randomly amongst the pancakes.
• Randomly drizzle a little bit of the cinnamon swirl in between apples on the pancakes.
• Cook the pancakes for approximately 2-1/2 minutes or until the edges begin to dry and puff up, and little air bubbles start appearing over the top surface of the pancakes.
• Flip each pancake over and continue to cook for another 1-1/2 minutes or until done.
• Place two pancakes onto each serving plate. Divide the reserved apple pie filling between the four servings, mounding it on the center of the top pancakes.
• Drizzle a little caramel over the apples.
• Sprinkle with Granola and powdered sugar.
• Top the pancakes with the whipped cream and serve with warm maple syrup.

*Many quality ingredients can be found at your local grocery store or simple recipes can be found online.

Servings: 4 (2 pancakes each)

Cinnamon Swirl

Yield: 1 cup

Ingredients

• 3 Tbls. Butter
• 5 oz. Brown Sugar
• ¾ tsp. Cinnamon
• 1/3 Cup Cream

Instructions

• Melt the butter in a small pot. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon into the pot and cook until the sugar melts.
• Add the cream into the pot and whisk to incorporate.
• Allow mixture to cool until safe to handle before using.