Whole Wheat Butternut Squash Pancakes

by jenna on September 30, 2010

Hello, Thursday.

Most mornings I’ll eat a bowl of cereal, some oatmeal or a toasted bagel with cream cheese. It’s just easy and, let’s be honest, I wake up starving every morning and it’s all I can do to sprint to the kitchen and stuff my face with whatever I see first.

Last night though, I got to thinking. Breakfast is my very favorite meal of the day and I work from home. So why aren’t I spending more time making beautiful and creative breakfasts for myself? It’s odd, really.

So this morning, I made something extra delicious and it would be just cruel not to share.

Oh yeah, and it has squash in it! As if you are looking for another reason to cook some up today.

These pancakes epitomize fall and taste kinda like my cinnamon toast muffins. So, get your spices ready!

The secret key ingredient here is (obviously) butternut squash. But you have some options. You could totally use pumpkin instead or even mashed kabocha. Since I had extra on hand, I mashed my own but the canned stuff works just as well!

I think the secret to making rock star pancakes is barely mixing the batter and letting it rest for five minutes before cooking!

Not only did these taste delicious, but they kept me full and energized through an intense power yoga class this morning. I topped mine with banana, walnuts and maple syrup and they were perfect.

I can’t stop thinking about them!

Must.roast.more.squash.


Mmmmmmm. The only way this moment could possibly have been better was if there was bacon involved.

But isn’t that true for life in general?


Here’s zee recipe!

Whole Wheat Butternut Squash Pancakes

serves 2-3

1/2 cup + 2 T whole wheat flour

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

1 T melted butter

1/3 cup canned or roasted and mashed butternut squash (or pumpkin!)

In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. In another bowl, combine the egg, melted butter, milk and squash. Mix well. Add wet to dry and fold together, being careful not to overmix the batter.

Let the batter rest five minutes.

Cook on a medium hot skillet and flip when the pancake has bubbles all over. Serve with warm maple syrup, banana, walnuts and…bacon. Or not.

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{ 71 comments… read them below or add one }

1 grocery goddess jen September 30, 2010 at 11:15 am

Mmmm….I’m totally making these this weekend. I have acorn squash, delicata squash, and butternut squash…maybe I’ll try a batch with each!

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2 Lindsay Perrone (goodiesgalore) September 30, 2010 at 11:20 am

i just got a cute squash in my boston organics delivery and i think tonight shall be breakfast for dinner!

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3 Jessica @ How Sweet September 30, 2010 at 11:33 am

I would definitely add bacon!

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4 Bethany @ More Fruit Please September 30, 2010 at 11:38 am

Amazing!! I think the pumpkin usually overshadows the butternut squash during this time of year, so thanks for bringing it back in the spotlight!

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5 jenna September 30, 2010 at 11:40 am

YUMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!

bacon makes everything better!

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6 Heather (Heather's Dish) September 30, 2010 at 11:40 am

DROOLING! this sounds like the perfect breakfast…now i just gotta get the work from home thing down and i can make these every day! :)

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7 Lisa September 30, 2010 at 11:40 am

Those look heavenly. I see a lot of baking in my near future!

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8 Natalia - a side of simple September 30, 2010 at 11:40 am

Mmmm great photos… If it’s even possible that they taste better than they look…I’m sold!

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9 stacey-healthylife September 30, 2010 at 11:41 am

Oh those look so good and a nice take on pumpkin pancakes.

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10 Jenny September 30, 2010 at 11:46 am

Photo of the new hair please! ;-)

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11 Vanessa September 30, 2010 at 11:46 am

Where’s the picture of your new ‘do??? The pancakes look yummy!

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12 Kim September 30, 2010 at 11:47 am

Drool!! Looks so yummy and have been thinking of butternut squash all week and am buying some this week so will try this. Sounds fab!

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13 Lauren at KeepItSweet September 30, 2010 at 11:48 am

this morning i had butternut squash oats, pancakes sound like a good step up!

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14 Tina September 30, 2010 at 11:50 am

I love pumpkin pancakes so I’m sure these taste delicious as well. They look like the perfect texture for me.

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15 Andrea September 30, 2010 at 11:52 am

Well, if these taste like your muffins, I’m in. I just ate my last “Jenna muffin” two days ago and I’m going through sugar and butter withdrawl!

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16 NMD September 30, 2010 at 11:54 am

new haircut please!

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17 jenna September 30, 2010 at 11:55 am

eek! it’s coming! Promise promise!

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18 kate September 30, 2010 at 11:57 am

I think youre on to something with the bacon!

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19 Maren September 30, 2010 at 12:02 pm

These sound really yummy, I bet they would taste wonderful with sweet potatoes too.

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20 Estela @ Weekly Bite September 30, 2010 at 12:05 pm

Now I want those for dinner :)

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21 kaila September 30, 2010 at 12:09 pm

omg these look awesome! my favorite part of fall is the amazing comfort foods…im talking about the cinnamon, pumpkin, and squash!!!! so good. i am definitely making these this weekend……maybe even tomorrow for a end of the week treat!!!!

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22 Amber K September 30, 2010 at 12:10 pm

Pancakes are awesome! But I never make them because to me they aren’t filling. That’s usually why I do oatmeal or high-fiber cereal in the morning. I’m the same way, I need to eat RIGHT away!

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23 Tabitha (From Single to Married) September 30, 2010 at 12:11 pm

mmm… these look amazing!

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24 Cailin @ Stir Crazy September 30, 2010 at 12:26 pm

Your photos make these pancakes look heavenly. I’ll be buying butternut squash at the store today!

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25 Jessica@jesscookinit.blogspot.com September 30, 2010 at 12:27 pm

OH Yumm! Breakfast can’t come soon enough! The husband’s gone tonight, and I am makin these for dinner! :D

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26 eatmovelove September 30, 2010 at 12:36 pm

Holy wow.

Totally marking this one down. I have acorn here now…i eat the skin too ;)

Next – Muffins please?!! :)

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27 Mary @ stylefyles September 30, 2010 at 12:53 pm

Wow……just wow. Those look SO fantastic.

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28 AllieNic @ Frisky Lemon September 30, 2010 at 12:58 pm

I’m kind of obsessed with squash right now too….I think the only vegetables I’ve eaten over the past week have been orange…as in squash, pumpkin, squash and squash. I actually never really ate squash before I started my blog…then I read about EVERYONE eating squash…so I decided to eat some too!

Thanks for feeding the squash addiction…

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29 Jasmine @ Eat Move Write September 30, 2010 at 1:02 pm

Sounds really tasty! I’ve never had squash in a pancake before. Looks amazing!

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30 Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman September 30, 2010 at 1:06 pm

Oh yum. I don’t have squash on hand but I’m sure this would work for the sweet potato I have on hand.

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31 Liz @ Tip Top Shape September 30, 2010 at 1:12 pm

oooh, I might just have to make this tomorrow morning! I have pumpkin just waiting to be used!!

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32 Jil September 30, 2010 at 1:19 pm

Mannn, those look so good!

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33 Moni'sMeals September 30, 2010 at 1:20 pm

fantastic idea! must try soon.

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34 Lauren September 30, 2010 at 1:37 pm

Question: I know that baking POWDER already has the acidic ingredient in it, so sometimes recipes call for powder vs. soda. But why do some recipes call for both?

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35 jenna October 1, 2010 at 11:15 am

Both baking powder and baking soda are leaveners, and you’re right when you say that baking powder actually contains baking soda in it.

The reason why some recipes call for both is because here, the baking powder is really doing all the work and the small amount of baking soda in the recipe is just there to neutralize the acids in the recipe and add tenderness. Cause tender pancakes are good, ya know?

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36 Ariffa September 30, 2010 at 1:38 pm

I love your food. Breakfast really should be a celebration with amazing foood, although sometimes a big bowl of cereal is just perfect

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37 Seglare (in Copenhagen) September 30, 2010 at 1:55 pm

I might have to try a vegan version of these over the weekend (though with hokkaido/kabocha squash… I’m still trying to overcome my fear of the tough-skinned butternut squash) – they look absolutely delicious! :)

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38 Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) September 30, 2010 at 1:56 pm

I can smell the goodness wafting in the air all the way down here in So Cal! :)

They look awesome and yes, I think letting most batters rest helps the flavors combine and everything just kinda working out better in the long run. Of course there are exceptions but yeah in general, I agree.

:)

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39 Katherine September 30, 2010 at 2:05 pm

That looks amazing! Squash is everywhere here but I get tired of just plain ole roasting it. I’m in love with pancakes too so this would be a great way to sneak some veggies into my breakfast!

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40 Rachel @ The Avid Appetite September 30, 2010 at 2:22 pm

genius! this looks SO yummy!

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41 Laura Georgina September 30, 2010 at 2:36 pm

… And you just gave me exactly what I need to do with a chunk of pumpkin (watery, squash-like Caribbean pumpkin) that’s seen better days! Too bad dinner is already made–I’d have these as dinner tonight if I could…

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42 chelsey @ clean eating chelsey September 30, 2010 at 2:53 pm

These look absolutely to die for! I want some!

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43 Kasey September 30, 2010 at 2:56 pm

I’m totally drooling! Breakfast is my favorite meal as well :)

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44 Rachael September 30, 2010 at 3:03 pm

Interesting trick, letting the batter stand. Pancakes are my fear food when it comes to cooking -I’ve had performance anxiety attacks over them, sadly, in the past…maybe this will ease the process!

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45 The Wife of a Dairyman September 30, 2010 at 3:11 pm

Those pancakes look SO good! And you’re smart to make yourself a delicious, healthy breakfast …..or you’ll end up like me, leaving the house without eating breakfast, even though starving, take the kids to school and stopping for a maple donut and a Starbuck’s pumpkin spice Misto on the way home!

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46 Kelly September 30, 2010 at 3:13 pm

Butterbut squash is my favorite so I can only image the party your mouth had with these!! YUM!

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47 Dee September 30, 2010 at 3:23 pm

Holy moly does this look amazing!

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48 Laughter-Loving Stacy September 30, 2010 at 3:46 pm

Oh maaaaan, my mouth is watering already. I’ll probably use pumpkin, I burned myself out of squash (use to eat SOOO MUCH of it)!

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49 Lauren September 30, 2010 at 3:52 pm

Wow, no words!! :) Well except on. YUM!!!

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50 Meredith (Pursuing Balance) September 30, 2010 at 4:52 pm

oh yum! I made pumpkin pancakes over the weekend and they were also excellent.

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51 Leah @ L4L September 30, 2010 at 5:20 pm

Looks a lot like the pumpkin waffles I made yesterday! Yum!

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52 Thetreadmilldiaries September 30, 2010 at 5:43 pm

I know how I’m using my butternut squash this weekend. Can’t wait.

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53 Laura (Starloz) September 30, 2010 at 6:05 pm

yummmy, i want

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54 Katherine @ Left Coast Contessa September 30, 2010 at 6:54 pm

This I must try! Thanks for sharing!

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55 Kate September 30, 2010 at 7:53 pm

So making these the next time I’m home. I love winter squash!

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56 Faith @ lovelyascharged September 30, 2010 at 8:17 pm

Oh Jenna…I’m drooling! I’ve been on such a HUGE squash kick and since I really don’t like pumpkin I’m all about using the butternut or acorn variety for some fall edge to food…oh man, and pancakes + walnuts? Can it get any better?

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57 Kayley September 30, 2010 at 8:49 pm

I’m SO glad you posted this recipe! I’ve got so many sweet potatoes on hand and I’m assuming they can substitue the squash! Can’t wait to give it a shot!

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58 Diana @ frontyardfoodie September 30, 2010 at 9:02 pm

Oh moist and deliciousness!! I have been dying to make pancakes but I’m out of maple syrup and Whole Foods is so far from my house that it has to be a ‘trip’ to go out there. haha

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59 The Healthy Apple October 1, 2010 at 9:44 am

Seriously, stop making food that looks so good, hehe..I am dying over here; love love love these pancakes…adorable and such a fabulous Fall recipe!

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60 Beguiling Sunflower October 2, 2010 at 7:22 am

I am running the Kansas City marathon on October 16. I always fantasize about refueling with pancakes, but never do as I just don’t feel like eating for a few hours, but I think this time I will have these FOR DINNER following the marathon. After the marathon, I will drink gatorade and then sleep.

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61 Melissa @ MebecomesMe October 2, 2010 at 5:56 pm

These pancakes look absolutely AMAZING! I will be making these this weekend. Another post to bookmark :)

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62 Sarah October 2, 2010 at 8:19 pm

I just made these, and they are EXCELLENT! So, so moist. Mine were probably a bit TOO moist because I used 2/3 cup pumpkin (1/3 in place of the egg and butter). I also subbed spelt flour, and it worked brilliantly. Mmmm….now to restrain myself from eating the rest on the stove. But they are very filling!

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63 Annette November 15, 2010 at 7:43 pm

Yummy! Just made ‘em with pumpkin for dinner… Very good, thanks for the recipe! =)

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64 Caroline January 27, 2011 at 6:08 am

Hey Jenna,

I tried to make this for one person and, well, I don’t have your culinary prowess :) . They were delicious, but lacking in structure. I think the biggest problem was leaving out the egg…anyway, was wondering how you would adjust this for a single serving?

Thanks,

Caroline

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65 jenna January 27, 2011 at 7:19 am

Yeah…it definitely won’t work without the egg! To tell you the truth, I always make the whole batch and just eat however many I want. This isn’t one of those recipes you can really split, unless you really split the egg by beating it a little beforehand and then cutting it in half (but that’s a lot of trouble and I highly recommend just making the whole batch). I’m so sorry it didn’t work for you!

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66 Cookie and Kate June 1, 2011 at 5:32 pm

Is it fall yet? I’m ready to make these.

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67 Katie September 27, 2011 at 9:27 am

I made this last weekend and they were so yummy. Thank Jenna! You’re becoming my new favorite blogger. This recipe was enough for me and one other person. It made 4 pancakes or could easily be made into 2 large pancakes. I served this with a hard boiled egg and some yogurt on the side because I like to eat a feast on weekend mornings. Yum!

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68 Kelly October 6, 2011 at 12:57 pm

OMG! These are soooo good! Was sitting here thinking about what I could do differently with my butternut squash and came across your recipe. I had to try them right away and I’m so glad I did! They are fantabulous! Thank you so much!

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69 Erica @ goodhappyfit October 9, 2011 at 8:36 am

Oh my… I just stumbled upon this recipe and I can’t wait to try it out. I just bought a pumpkin yesterday so I may try it with pumpkin instead. Although I have to admit, I’m obsessed with butternut squash, so I may have to save this recipe for when I buy one. Or maybe I’ll just make it twice :)

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70 Miranda November 11, 2011 at 5:38 am

I have leftover butternut squash puree that I need to use and it just came to me yesterday, “butternut squash pancakes” on saturday morning. I am so happy to have found this recipe! Looks right up my ally!

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71 Penny @ Big Spoon, Little Spoon November 18, 2011 at 2:53 pm

Cooked up these babies for the hubby, who eyed the butternut squash veeerrrry suspiciously when I told him I was making pancakes. In Aus we call this a butternut pumpkin, so I rapidly told him I was making “pumpkin pie pancakes” from the girl who gave us those amazing shrimp tacos. He totally bought it-and loved them!! Haha!

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