Sometimes I think life would be just a little bit more perfect if every day began with bacon and pancakes. But then I discovered what a day could be like if life involved bacon IN pancakes. And I realized it was even better. Like best day of your life better. These pancakes were, of course, inspired by my new project with Butterball. When I opened my giant package of various Butterball products, I immediately started craving bacon. Probably because there were four beautiful packages of Butterball Turkey Bacon. And that led to pancakes. Which led to my crazy brain wanting to combine the two. Why the heck not, right?
Obviously that led to me wondering what kind of fruit goes best with bacon. Well, I truly believe that any fruit goes well with bacon (or any food in general), but that cherries are especially delicious. So I roasted some cherries up and made them into the most delicious maple syrup in all the world. I really do mean that.
These pancakes are proof that bacon really does make everything better. Not that you really needed a reminder of that. And yes, turkey bacon most definitely counts!
Butterball Turkey Bacon Pancakes with Roasted Cherry Maple Syrup (serves 4):
Print this recipe!
- 6 slices Butterball Turkey Bacon
- 1 C all-purpose flour
- 2 T sugar
- 2 t baking powder
- ½ t salt
- 1 C buttermilk
- 3 T unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 t vanilla
- 1 batch Roasted Cherry Maple Syrup (see below for recipe)
Roasted Cherry Maple Syrup:
Print this recipe!
- 2 C cherries, stemmed and pitted
- ½ C maple syrup
Where to start, where to start. Well, I'd start with the cherries. Place cherries on a parchment-lined baking sheet and pop in the oven at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, until you can see the cherries beginning to burst.
While the cherries are roasting, you can get started on the pancakes. Here is the star of the show!
Butterball Turkey Bacon is not just a fabulous alternative to pork bacon. It's just plain delicious... And now I'm at the point where I'm craving it every morning! And since it has 65% less fat than pork bacon, I think that's OK! Plus, there are 22 slices in one pack, which means it's enough to feed a crowd of bacon-loving folks.
I always think bacon is best when it's slow-cooked, so I recommend starting the pancakes by crisping up your bacon. Since it's going inside the pancakes, you don't have to worry too much about slow-cooking, but it's still nice to do!
If you cook it over low heat, it will probably take about 20-25 minutes to cook and you'll have to be sure to turn it often. You could also cook it over medium heat for about 4-9 minutes, turning often.
I made sure the bacon was super duper crispy so it would crumble right into the pancakes.
And while the bacon was cooking, I got my pancake batter ready.
First, I whisked together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.
In a medium-size bowl, I whisked together the buttermilk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla.
Then, I slowly poured the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until they were just combined (being careful not to over mix). And then I crumbled the bacon into the batter.
On the same griddle I cooked the bacon on, I poured about ¼ C of pancake batter on at medium heat. I cooked my pancakes right in the bacon grease (yum!), but you could spray or brush with olive oil if you choose.
Cook pancakes for about 1-2 minutes on each side, until bubbles have burst and they're nicely browned.
If you're doing the pancakes in batches, you may want to keep the finished ones warming in the oven.
And don't forget about the cherries! Once they're out of the oven, put them in a medium-size saucepan with about ⅓ C maple syrup.
Bring mixture to a boil and then lower to a simmer and let cook for about 10 minutes.
Pour the roasted cherry maple syrup over the pancakes.
And repeat after me: breakfast is the best. Turkey bacon is the best. Turkey bacon-filled pancakes make me want to sing. Yes, sing.
I actually served my pancakes with Butterball's Recipe Starters Hardwood Smoked Turkey Sausage. Because too much meat at breakfast? Is a lie. Especially if it's turkey. Turketarians unite!
I'm sure that if I could have thought of a way to put the sausage in the pancakes, too, I would have. But on the side was fine, too. I kind of think the pancakes had enough going on already.
Like the roasted cherry syrup.
I kind of went a little bit overboard on the syrup. But it was SO. GOOD. I could not stop.
Is an entire stack of pancakes too much? Can you see the beautiful turkey bacon scattered about? Swoon!
Don't mind if I do!
This photo will probably have to go into my someday book that I will call "The Aftermath," which will feature photos of the cooking and/or eating process. These pancakes were demolished in a matter of minutes.
I'm fully convinced that your day will be at least ten times better if you start it with Butterball Turkey Bacon Filled Pancakes with Roasted Cherry Maple Syrup. If you need to skip the syrup in the interest of time or cherries not being in season, not a problem. Regular maple syrup will do, too. You can't really go wrong with putting turkey bacon in pancakes; just remember that.
What's your favorite way to incorporate turkey into your breakfast?
[Sues]
Disclaimer: I'm currently working with Butterball and was compensated for this post. However, as always, all opinions are completely my own! I hope it's clear by now that I really am a Butterball fan and am psyched to be working with them once again!
Gia Grossman says
WOW! This is most probably the best bfast ever!
Shannon says
no reminding needed 🙂 what a great breakfast!
bellini says
I like the roasted cherrie but having the bacon IN the pancakes is pure genius.
Asmita says
Absolutely gorgeous!
Erica says
I think you need to come visit SC...you'd love the brunch places around here! I always wish I liked bacon..
Monica says
My family & I love making pancakes for breakfast. These are some seriously special pancakes! I've managed to stop myself from adding bacon bits to them because I'm afraid my son will refuse them any other way afterwards but I might have to go for it one day.
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig says
Oh wow, what a cool idea. I've put bacon in my waffles but never pancakes. It's the perfect ingredient for the sweet and salty taste!!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Oh goodness, what are you doing to me? I'm going to be so happy to try these! YUM!
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
Oh my, roasted cherries and maple syrup - that sounds amazing!
Dan from Platter Talk says
OK - everything about this idea is perfect. I've grown to love turkey bacon, especially with BLTs. Can't wait to try it with these beautiful looking pancakes!!
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) says
I love bacon of all sorts! This looks incredible, sweet and savory and perfect 🙂
2 Sisters Recipes says
Heck, we love turkey bacon! and pancakes with cheeries as the syrup - gosh it has to be divine!
Odetta says
Cherries and bacon boom! I love a good turkey bacon too!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
These pancakes look every bit delicious, fluffy and perfect.
I love the blog name...
Laura Dembowski says
Roasted fruit is amazing and adding to maple syrup would make pancakes so yummy!
Monique says
I just need to throw out there that the butterball thin and crispy turkey bacon is always avaiable in our house. Gotta have our bacon. Secondly YUM! Never put bacon IN my pancakes before! But love a thick smokey bacon playing too close to my pancake stack and getting syruppy.
Good times.
Love the idea of cherries on top as well.
Tara says
Woah, bacon in my pancakes? I never heard of that combination but yes please! I guess it makes sense since a traditional breakfast would include those two ingredients on the same plate anyways. 🙂 Looks awesome!
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
Ooh, this syrup sounds delicious!
Karen says
Are you serious....May I please put a request in for a birthday breakfast with this on the menu? Wow! Can't wait!
Pam says
YUM! They look mouth watering delicious!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Now that is a delicious looking stack of pancakes.
gloria says
I love cherries and this look delicious!
Dawn says
These sound amazing-definitely not something I would've thought of on my own!
Meghan says
Yum! I am just imagining the salty-sweet flavors!
Couscous & Consciousness says
Oh, yeah, everything is definitely better with bacon - in fact, I have often thought that bacon is the one thing which stands between me and my ability to ever become a vegetarian. And that roasted cherry maple syrup, that has me seriously swooning - I can't wait for cherry season.
Jenn says
You are a genius!!!! Those pancakes look amazing... and knowing they have bacon in them...... all I can really say is YUM!!!
honeywhatscooking says
wow, i've never tried roasting cherries.. a must do. looks amazing... i can eat turkey bacon, but not bacon bacon. 🙂
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says
what a fun pancake flavor! love that cherry syrup too.
Emily @ A Cambridge Story says
This sounds incredible. Clearly what has been missing from my pancakes is 1) bacon and 2) roasted fruity syrup. Nice work!
Joanne says
Haha you crack me up! My day would be pretty complete with these bacon-less pancakes and the roasted cherry topping...but that's just me. 😛
Mary says
What a wonderful way to start the day!!
mary x
Donna Michaels says
Hmmmn..Its been a while since I had my bacon! I am having a cheat day tomorrow with these! Oh yes! They are totally worth it! :D!