Have you ever wondered what Founding Fathers like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton ate for dessert? People in colonial America enjoyed cakes, puddings, and pies that were often sweetened with fruit. A common ingredient was apple because of the many apple orchards located in New England.
This Fourth of July, let’s make a popular sweet treat from Revolutionary times: apple pancakes! This recipe comes from the first First Lady of the United States, Martha Washington. Check out Mount Vernon's list of recipes to discover more.
Portrait of Martha Washington between 1857 and 1872.
Image from the Library of Congress.
Apple Pancakes Recipe
What you need:
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½ cup sifted flour
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1¼ teaspoons baking powder
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¾ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon Cinnamon
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¼ cup sugar
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1 large egg, well beaten
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1 cup milk
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¼ cup melted butter or margarine
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1 cup finely chopped apples
Directions:
Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and sugar in a large bowl.
Whisk together the egg, milk, butter, and apples in a separate bowl. Then, add this gradually to the bowl with flour mixture. Be careful not to over mix – you should see a few chunks in the batter.
Heat a griddle (greased with butter) on the stove. When the butter is sizzling, add a large spoonful of your pancake mixture. Flip the pancakes when bubbles form on top. The pancakes are finished when both sides are golden brown.
Looking for more activities inspired by history? Check out our kids magazine! And if you're searching for fun treats to make with your kids, don't miss our book History is Delicious.