Homespun ~ Banana Walnut Pancakes

It's the weekend.  I live for the weekend.... I love to make delicous morning treats for my family on the weekends. 
Today ~ Pancakes.  But not just any pancakes.... Fluffy, Buttery Pancakes~ stuffed with bananas and drenched in real Maple butter syrup .... Are you drooling yet?

Banana Walnut Pancakes:

4 cups flour
1 Tbl. + 1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
6 large eggs, separated
3 cups whole milk
3/4 cup(12 Tbl.) unsalted butter, melted; plus 2 tsp. unmelted for griddle
1 tsp. real vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups sliced bananas
1 cup chopped walnuts

Maple Butter Syrup:

1 cup REAL Maple Syrup
2 sticks, unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Heat this over stove, stirring until butter is melted and combined into syrup.  Keep warm.

Light and fluffy pancakes are at your fingertips! ~ 
Measure all the dry ingredients into a large bowl (flour, b. powder, sugar, salt). Whisk together.

In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks, milk, melted (and cooled) butter, and vanilla until combined.  Whisk into the dry ingredients, until combined into a batter.  Should be a little lumpy.  That's a good thing :)

Whip the egg whites until they reach medium peaks (soft in the middle).  Don't overwhip them.  When you lift the whisk, the whites should stand up and fall over on themselves in a bit of a slope.

Gently fold half the whites into the batter.  Then, fold in the remaining.  Remember to be gentle as you don't want to lose all the air you incorporated into the whites.  The batter should have lumps of egg whites in it. 

The batter will last in the fridge for a couple hours before it deflates too much.

**This recipe makes  A LOT of pancakes.  I recommend cutting it in half, which would be a perfect amount for 3-4 people.**

Heat your griddle over medium heat for a few minutes.  Grease with a dab of butter, and begin making pancakes.  Pour batter onto pan, then, lay a few sliced bananas and nuts on top.  When you see bubbles forming on the top of the pancake, it is ready to flip ~ about 2 minutes. 

When the other side is also golden brown (about 1 minute), remove the pancake onto a warming tray, or a pan in the oven (set at 200 degrees) to keep warm until you are ready to serve.

Layer extra bananas and walnuts on top, drizzle or drench (your choice :) pancakes in maple butter syrup, and devour!

(adapted from Clinton St. Baking Company Cookbook)