Chunky Monkey Pancakes

So remember last Sunday when I promised you the recipe to some pretty banging pancakes?

Don't give me that look. I promised didn't I? Better late than never right?

This past weekend was the first I had off from work in months. A word to the wise, it is not healthy to work seven days a week while going to school. Even an overachiever classic type A like myself needs a little me time.

Or should I say a little pancake time.

There are few things better than waking up without an alarm clock, padding into the kitchen in stocking feet and pajama pants and mixing up a bowl of pancake batter. Added bonuses include early morning sunshine that bathes your counter tops in a honey rich glow, a great line up of songs on your Pandora station and a little something I like to call the Chunky Monkey factor.

Chunky Monkey is 1 part peanut butter, 1 part banana, 1 part chocolate and 3 billion parts deliciousness. This combination is the glass slipper, the prince's kiss, the lion's roar on top of Pride Rock.

It's perfect.

I have a no fail recipe that I now use every time I make pancakes. It's courtesy of one of my favorite food staples, Chobani and if you like pancakes at all you must write it down. And not on the corner of some grubby napkin that you're accidentally going to wash and hold up the shreds later wondering, what the hell was this? Get a notebook, recipe card, what have you and burn it into your memory. You will thank me later.

On its own these pancakes are sturdy and make for a satisfying breakfast that will carry you through being rudely awakened by your howling cat, your absolutely insane boss, burning your tongue yet again on your morning coffee and beyond. The wheat bran, Chobani and peanut butter amp up the protein and the banana, chocolate chips and honey are the sand between your toes.

Or something else wonderful if sandy feet isn't your thing.

The real secret to this recipe (as with all pancake batters) is to not over mix it. Do not Hulk out on this batter. A nice gentle hand leaves behind pockets of peanut butter that seem to wrap all your troubles in a warm, extra fuzzy blanket.

Too much?

Okay, okay all kidding aside these pancakes really are perfect on a weekend morning when you have no troubles on your mind and you can finally relax for once. Now my only trouble seems to be why on earth didn't I make more?

Chunky Monkey Pancakes 
Adapted from Chobani 

1/2 cup spelt flour
1/2 cup AP flour
3 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1/4 cup wheat bran
1 cup CHOBANI 0% Plain Greek Yogurt
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 banana, sliced
1/4 cup chocolate chips

1. Sift together flours, baking powder and salt. Gently mix in wheat brain and set aside.
2. In a separate bowl whisk together yogurt, egg, milk, honey and peanut butter until uniform. Fold into flour mixture and mix until combined, but still lumpy.
3. Heat a pan over medium heat and spray with cooking spray/butter. Using a soup ladle, spoon out batter into pan. Add a few banana slices and chocolate chips to the pancake. Cook until bubbles cover the surface and the edges start to pull away. Flip and cook on the other side for 2-3 minutes.
4. Keep oven on warm and store cooked pancakes in oven until all the batter is gone.
5. Grab a stack of pancakes, drizzle with maple syrup and enjoy!

What I'm Listening to Today
To Travels and Trunks: Hey Marseilles
Driftwood: Travis
Cuddle Fuddle: Passion Pit