Kid-friendly Breakfast Buffet with Sweet Pancake Tacos and DIY Topping Extravaganza + Fruity Smoothies Recipe - Sticky Fingers Cooking
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Family Meal Plan: Breakfast Buffet with Sweet Pancake Tacos and DIY Topping Extravaganza + Bodaciously Bold Fruity Smoothies

Family Meal Plan: Breakfast Buffet with Sweet Pancake Tacos and DIY Topping Extravaganza + Fruity Smoothies

Breakfast Buffet with Sweet Pancake Tacos and DIY Topping Extravaganza + Bodaciously Bold Fruity Smoothies

by Dylan Sabuco
Photo by Dylan Sabuco
prep time
25 minutes
cook time
20 minutes
makes
4-6 servings

Fun Food Story

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Breakfast Buffet with Sweet Pancake Tacos and DIY Topping Extravaganza

Who's ready to turn breakfast into a party?! Sweet Pancake Tacos take your morning from regular to totally epic. Stuff your pancake "taco" with fresh fruit, drizzle on yogurt or sweet sauces, fold it up, and dig in—no forks required! 

And, since you've already got the fruit out, why not whip up some Bodaciously Bold Fruity Smoothies? They're bursting with fresh flavors like strawberry, banana, and a splash of zesty citrus to wake up your taste buds and energize you for whatever the day brings!

Happy & Healthy Cooking,

Chef Erin, Food-Geek-in-Chief
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Shopping List

  • FRESH
  • 1 lemon or orange
  • 1 C strawberries, blueberries, or cherries
  • 1 banana
  • 1 apple or pear
  • DAIRY AND EGGS
  • 3 large eggs **(see allergy subs below)**
  • 1 C plain yogurt **(see allergy subs below)**
  • PANTRY
  • 2 C all-purpose flour **(see allergy subs below)**
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 3 T granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract **(see allergy subs below)**
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 T vegetable oil **
  • 1/4 C honey
  • HAVE ON HAND
  • 3 C water
  • TOPPING OPTIONS—choose 1 to 2 from fruit and 1 to 2 from other toppings **(Omit any options below if allergies are present)**
  • Fruit:
  • 1 C strawberries
  • 1 C blueberries
  • 2 bananas
  • 2 apples
  • 2 pears
  • 1 C pitted, frozen cherries
  • 1 8-oz can pineapple
  • Other toppings:
  • 2 T cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 C coconut flakes
  • 1/2 C maple syrup
  • 1/2 C honey
  • 1/2 C sunflower butter + 2 T honey
  • 1/2 C chocolate chips
  • 1/2 C plain yogurt + 2 T honey
  • 1/2 C fruit jam, your choice
  • 1/2 C cream cheese spread
  • 1/3 C spreadable butter
  • whipped cream
  • sprinkles

Fun-Da-Mentals Kitchen Skills

  • blend :

    to stir together two or more ingredients until just combined; blending is a gentler process than mixing.

  • chop :

    to cut something into small, rough pieces using a blade.

  • fry :

    to fry in a pan in a small amount of fat.

  • measure :

    to calculate the specific amount of an ingredient required using a measuring tool (like measuring cups or spoons).

  • pour :

    to cause liquid, granules, or powder to stream from one container into another.

  • stir :

    to mix together two or more ingredients with a spoon or spatula, usually in a circle pattern, or figure eight, or in whatever direction you like!

Equipment Checklist

  • Blender (or pitcher + immersion blender)
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Cutting board
  • Kid-safe knife
  • Citrus squeezer (optional)
  • Skillet or frying pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Dry measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Whisk
  • Heat-resistant spatula or pancake turner
  • Zester (or grater with small zesting plate/side)
  • Small bowls to hold toppings
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Ingredients

Breakfast Buffet with Sweet Pancake Tacos and DIY Topping Extravaganza

  • 3 large eggs **(for EGG ALLERGY sub 3 T chia seeds + 6 T water—more info below)**
  • 2 C all-purpose flour **(for GLUTEN ALLERGY sub gluten-free/nut-free all-purpose flour)**
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 C water
  • 3 T granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract **(for GLUTEN ALLERGY use certified gluten-free pure vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla flavor—check label)**
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 T vegetable oil **
  • Topping options—choose 1 to 2 from fruit and 1 to 2 from other toppings **(Omit any options below if allergies are present)**
  • Fruit:
  • 1 C strawberries
  • 1 C blueberries
  • 2 bananas
  • 2 apples
  • 2 pears
  • 1 C pitted frozen cherries
  • 1 8-oz can of pineapple
  • zest of 1 orange
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • Other toppings:
  • 2 T cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 C coconut flakes
  • 1/2 C maple syrup
  • 1/2 C honey
  • 1/2 C sunflower butter + 2 T honey
  • 1/2 C chocolate chips **(for CHOCOLATE ALLERGY sub carob chips; for DAIRY/NUT/SOY ALLERGY use Enjoy Life brand chocolate chips)**
  • 1/2 C plain yogurt + 2 T honey
  • 1/2 C fruit jam, your choice
  • 1/2 C cream cheese spread
  • 1/3 C spreadable butter
  • whipped cream
  • sprinkles

Bodaciously Bold Fruity Smoothies

  • 1 C strawberries, blueberries, or cherries
  • 1 banana
  • 1/4 C honey, maple syrup, or granulated sugar
  • 1 C plain yogurt **(for DAIRY ALLERGY sub dairy-free/nut-free yogurt)**
  • 2 C water
  • 1 apple or pear
  • juice of 1 lemon or orange

Food Allergen Substitutions

Breakfast Buffet with Sweet Pancake Tacos and DIY Topping Extravaganza

  • Egg: For 3 large eggs, substitute 3 T chia seeds + 6 T water. Soak in warm water for 5 minutes or until fully absorbed and thickened. Stir constantly to prevent clumping.
  • Gluten/Wheat: Substitute gluten-free/nut-free all-purpose flour. Use certified gluten-free pure vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla flavor.
  • Chocolate: Substitute carob chips for chocolate chips.
  • Dairy/Nut/Soy: Use Enjoy Life brand chocolate chips.

Bodaciously Bold Fruity Smoothies

  • Dairy: Substitute dairy-free/nut-free yogurt.

Instructions

Breakfast Buffet with Sweet Pancake Tacos and DIY Topping Extravaganza

1.
intro

Pancakes are a breakfast staple all over the globe and have origins that trace as far back as the Stone Age. This Sticky Fingers Cooking® pancake recipe will turn pancakes into more of a party food than breakfast food. Everyone at your pancake extravaganza will have at least one pancake to hold in their hand, taco-style. Kids can fill, drizzle, and sprinkle all kinds of toppings on their pancake taco and devour it! Your kids and friends will have a blast making their own breakfast buffet!

2.
measure + mix

In a large mixing bowl, crack in 3 large eggs and measure 2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 cup water, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 3 tablespoons vegetable oil. Then, whisk to combine as smoothly as you can. There should be little to no lumps.

3.
fry + serve

In a skillet or large frying pan over medium heat, pour in 1/4 cup of batter in small circles. Allow each pancake to cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes. You will notice bubbles form on top of the pancake. This is the leavening (or rising) process happening before your eyes. You are looking at baking powder becoming carbon dioxide and rising its way out of the pancake through steam. Once bubbles form on the surface of the pancake, pop, and leave a little crater, flip the pancake over and cook for 1 more minute on the other side. Continue cooking 3 to 4 pancakes at a time until all the batter is gone.

4.
chop + measure + mix

While the pancakes are cooking, work on the toppings. You can choose as many toppings from the list as you would like for your family. Citrus fruit will need to be washed and zested, and other fruit will need to be roughly chopped. The ingredients that drizzle, like yogurt or sunflower butter, can be turned into a sauce with the addition of honey. Place each topping at your favorite breakfast spot and start building your breakfast buffet. Each person at your pancake extravaganza can choose which toppings they want on their pancake tacos.

5.
sprinkle + drizzle

Once each person has their toppings and at least 1 pancake, then they can sprinkle, scoop, and drizzle all the toppings onto their pancake.

6.
fold + devour

Finally, fold the pancakes taco-style and pick them up to devour! No forks required for these pancakes! Eat and Enjoy!

Bodaciously Bold Fruity Smoothies

1.
measure + blend

Start by measuring and pouring 1 cup strawberries, blueberries, or cherries, 1 banana, 1/4 cup honey, 1 cup yogurt, and 2 cups water into a blender (or pitcher for use with an immersion blender). Next, slice 1 apple or pear into chunks, avoiding the core. Place the apple or pear in the pitcher and blend until smooth.

2.
slice + squeeze

Slice 1 lemon or orange in half. Then, squeeze the juice into the smoothie. Quickly blend for a few seconds to incorporate the juice. Pour into cups and enjoy! Cheers!

Surprise Ingredient: Berries!

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Photo by Ana Hollan/Shutterstock.com (girl eating wild elderberries)

Hi! I'm a Berry!

"To be specific, I'm an edible berry. We might be sweet or sour, colorful, juicy, and delicious! People around the world eat us alone, with other foods, and in jams, preserves, and pies! Yum! Did you know that bananas, pumpkins, tomatoes, and watermelons are technically berries!" 

  • Thousands of years ago, before crops were domesticated, hunter-gatherers picked wild berries, an activity people still enjoy doing today. 
  • Berry cultivation may have begun as early as the 10th century in Japan, the 14th century in Europe, and the 18th century in the United States. 
  • The word "berry" comes from the Old English "berie," from the German "beere."
  • Globally, strawberries are grown twice the amount of any other berry, although strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries are not actual berries, botanically speaking—they are aggregate fruits. 
  • Botanical berries include blueberries, cranberries, elderberries, gooseberries, lingonberries, and persimmons.
  • Berries are a wonderful snack eaten by themselves or added to cold and hot cereal. But they are equally delightful when made into preserves, jams, and sauces. In addition, berries are often used in baked goods like cakes, cobblers, muffins, and pies. 
  • Berries are often called a "superfood" and are recommended by doctors and nutritionists for a healthy diet. They are high in antioxidants and fiber, and many have essential nutrients like vitamin C, helping to protect against cancer and chronic disease.

History of Pancakes!

Photo by Ahturner/Shutterstock.com
  • Archaeological evidence suggests that pancake varieties are probably the earliest and most widespread foods made from cereal grains. Prehistoric societies mixed dry, carbohydrate-rich seed flours with available protein-rich liquids, usually milk and eggs, and baked the resulting batters on hot stones or in shallow earthenware pots over an open fire. These early pancakes formed a nutritious and highly palatable foodstuff.  
  • Pancakes are a universal food found in some variations from Africa to Asia to Europe and South America. 
  • Globally, there are at least 100 types of pancakes. To name a few, they include crepes, blinis, latkes (potato pancakes), pajeon, æbleskiver, crumpets, galettes, okonomiyaki, milcao, and Dutch baby pancakes.
  • A pancake is usually a flat, round cake prepared from a batter and cooked on a hot griddle or frying pan. In some countries, it's thinner, more like a crepe, and in the United States, it's usually thicker and more fluffy. 
  • Most pancakes are quick breads; however, some use a yeast-raised or fermented batter.  
  • Pancakes can be sweet or savory. Depending on the region, pancakes may be served at any time, with various toppings or fillings, including jam, chocolate chips, fruit, syrup, or meat. 
  • In different parts of the US, pancakes may be called flapjacks, griddle cakes, hotcakes, or slapjacks. 
  • One man (and giant pancake fan!) ran a marathon while tossing a pancake every 2 seconds for a continuous 3 hours, 2 minutes, and 27 seconds!

Let's Learn About Breakfast!

Photo by artem evdokimov/Shutterstock.com
  • The English word "breakfast" is made up of two words, "break" and "fast." Since breakfast is the first meal of the day, eaten in the morning, we are essentially "breaking" or ending our overnight "fast." (A "fast" is when you abstain from eating or drinking or both for a period of time.)
  • In the United States, breakfast varies from hot or cold cereal to eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast to pancakes, bagels, or pastries. 
  • In ancient times, in Egypt, breakfast consisted of falafel or "fūl," made from cooked fava beans. In Greece, they ate barley bread or pancakes made from spelt flour, topped with cheese, honey, and sesame. Romans ate bread, cheese, nuts, olives, and raisins. Roman soldiers ate porridge made of roasted barley or spelt.
  • Breakfast was not always eaten during the European Middle Ages unless you were sick, a laborer, a child, or an older adult. Most people would have two formal meals, one at midday and the other in the evening.
  • In 15th-century Western Europe, meat was often included as part of the breakfast meal. Breakfast in Eastern Europe consisted of bread, pastries, and fruit, and by the 16th century, coffee was introduced to breakfasts in Europe.
  • A full breakfast in the United Kingdom and Ireland may include bacon, baked beans, black pudding, eggs, hash browns, mushrooms, sausage, toast, and grilled tomatoes, served with tea or coffee.
  • A continental breakfast is often served at hotels. It typically consists of cold and hot cereal, coffee and tea, hard-boiled or scrambled eggs, fruit and fruit juice, muffins, pastries, toast, and waffles.
  • Breakfast varies greatly across continents and countries. Meal options include beans, bread and jam, cheese, eggs, flatbreads, fruit, pancakes, pastries, porridge, rice, and soup.
  • Breakfast is considered an essential way to start the day, especially for schoolchildren. It can help boost brain power, increase energy and productivity, jump-start metabolism, regulate blood sugar levels, and manage appetite and weight.

That's Berry Funny

How do you make a pancake smile? 

Butter him up!

That's Berry Funny

What dinosaur loves pancakes? 

A tri-syrup-tops!

THYME for a Laugh

What’s a ghost’s favorite fruit? 

Boo-berries!

Lettuce Joke Around

I accidentally ate a clock for breakfast this morning. 

It was very time consuming!

The Yolk's On You

What is blue and goes up and down? 

A blueberry in an elevator!

Lettuce Joke Around

What is a scarecrow’s favorite fruit? 

Straw-berries!

Lettuce Joke Around

What did the ice cream say to the fruit? 

"You are the Cherry on top!"

The Yolk's On You

Why is breakfast the most disappointed meal of the day?

Because it always wanted to be dessert!

THYME for a Laugh

I think I should work at a Smoothie shop.

I feel like I would blend in.

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