Student Voice: Pancake Puffs

Enjoy this original recipe from high school culinary student Hunter Wallace!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ¼ cups all purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

• 2 teaspoons aluminum-free baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 3 eggs (divided)

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup buttermilk

• Filling of your choice (jams, maple cream and cream cheese work great!)

Hunter Wallace, a senior at Valley Vista High School, poses with his finished Pancake Puffs in the Culinary Kitchen at the school.

DIRECTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE

• In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, vanilla extract, and buttermilk. Then in the bowl of a stand mixer, or with an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until very foamy, soft peaks form.

• Add the dry mixture to the buttermilk mixture and stir until just combined; a few small lumps are OK. Then use a rubber spatula to fold the egg whites into the batter. You want to fold in just until they are combined; don’t over mix.

• Heat your pancake puff pan over low/medium heat on a stovetop. A Danish Æbleskiver pan works great, but a cupcake pan will work just as well. Once warmed, gently spray with nonstick cooking spray (I hold my pan over the sink as I do this so any excess can roll off), and fill each hole with one tablespoon of batter. Then add a teaspoon of filling and cover with just a bit more batter (about 1/2 tablespoon or a little less). Allow to cook for a couple minutes, then use a small wooden chopstick or the end of a wooden spoon to gently flip each pancake puff.

Hunter Wallace mixes the foamy egg whites with the buttermilk mixure. Make sure not to over mix during this step!

ABOUT THIS RECIPE

This original recipe was submitted by Hunter Wallace, a senior at Valley Vista High School. He participated in the Culinary Arts Career and Technical Education (CTE) program for three years. His goal when he graduates is to attend Scottsdale Community College for their culinary program, then attend Northern Arizona University for their hospitality program. He hopes to one day own a restaurant of his own.

CTE programs in high school prepare students for a variety of careers by teaching them academic, technical, and realworld skills. Learn more at dysart.org/CTE.

A Danish Æbleskiver pan works great for the Pancake Puffs, but a cupcake pan will work just as well.