Icebox Cafe's Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Whipped cream cheese:

3/4 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons powdered sugar, more to taste
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 ounces cream cheese
1 tablespoon sour cream
1 tablespoon lemon zest, from about 2 lemons

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment, or in a large bowl using a hand mixer, whip together the heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks are formed, 3 to 4 minutes. Move to a separate bowl.

In the mixing bowl, whip the cream cheese until creamy and smooth. Add the sour cream and lemon zest and continue beating, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally until completely incorporated and smooth.

Fold the whipped cream mixture in with the whipped cream cheese, one half at a time, careful not to overmix. This makes about 1½ cups whipped cream cheese. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

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Lemon Ricotta Pancakes:

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups (5 1/3 ounces) flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
8 eggs, divided
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon lemon juice and zest from 2 lemons
1 pound (4 sticks) butter, melted

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, sift together the sugar, flour and baking powder.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a large mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks, ricotta cheese, lemon juice and zest. With the mixer running, slowly add the dry ingredients, beating until well-combined. Continue beating, drizzling in the melted butter until well combined. Move the mixture to a separate bowl.

In the mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter, one half at a time. This makes about 8 cups batter.

Spray a small, preferably 6-inch, oven-safe nonstick skillet with cooking spray (we tested using 8-inch skillets, measured across the top of the pan). Pour about 1 cup of the batter into the skillet and bake until the pancake puffs and is set, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. To make more than 1 pancake at a time, use multiple pans (baking multiple pancakes at once will increase the baking time slightly).

The pancakes are delicate. Slide a spatula along the outer edge of each to remove from the pan. Serve immediately, with whipped cream cheese on the side. Repeat as needed until all 8 pancakes are baked.

Makes: 8 Pancakes.

Source: LA Times.

The Cheesecake Factory Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Ingredients:
1-3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 Tbl. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Kosher Salt
1-1/2 cups Buttermilk
2 ea. Eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 Tbls. Vegetable Oil
2 cups Fresh Ricotta Cheese
4 Tbls. Granulated Sugar
2 Tbls. Lemon Zest (minced)
2-1/2 tsps. Vegetable Oil

Procedures:
Place the flour, baking powder and salt into a mixing bowl. Stir all of the ingredients together until evenly combined.  Set aside.

Pour the buttermilk into another mixing bowl.  Add the eggs, vanilla and oil into the bowl.

Add the ricotta cheese, sugar and lemon zest into the bowl with the buttermilk.  Using a wire whisk, gently stir the ingredients together until evenly combined.

Add the flour mix into the bowl with the buttermilk and ricotta cheese.  Continue to fold the ingredients together until evenly combined with a few small lumps remaining in the batter. Do not
over mix the batter.

Heat 1/4 tsp. of vegetable oil on a griddle or in a large non-stick pan.  Using a 4 oz. ladle, pour the batter onto the griddle or into the non-stick pan, forming one pancake that is 6" in diameter.

Cook the pancakes for approximately 2-1/2 minutes or until the edges begin to dry and puff up with little air bubbles will start appearing over the top surface of the pancakes.

Flip each pancake over and continue to cook for another 1-1/2 minutes or until done.

Makes: 8 Pancakes

Source: The Cheesecake Factory

IHOP Pumpkin Pancakes

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
4 Tablespoons butter, melted
3 Tablespoons canned pumpkin
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
 
Procedures:
Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Coat pan with oil cooking spray.

Combine eggs, buttermilk, butter, pumpkin, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Use an electric mixer to blend ingredients.

Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and blend with mixer until smooth.

Pour the batter in 1/4 c portions into the hot pan. Should form 5-inch circles.

When the batter stops bubbling & edges begin to harden, flip the pancakes. They should be dark brown. This will take from 1 to 2
minutes.

Flip the pancakes and cook other side for the same amount of time, until dark brown.

Serves 3 to 4.

Perkins Family Restaurant's Potato Pancakes

Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
4 eggs
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon minced onion
4 shredded fresh potatoes -or-
2 1/2 cups frozen hash browns (defrosted)

Procedure:
Combine all of the ingredients, except for the potatoes, in a large mixing bowl. Beat by hand until smooth. Add the potatoes to the batter and mix by hand until the potatoes are combined. Let the batter rest while you preheat a skillet to about medium heat.

Grease the pan with some butter.

Ladle 1/4 cup scoops of batter into the pan. Cook as many at a time as will fit comfortably into your pan. Cook each pancake for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side until brown.