I wasn’t planning on eating breakfast. Usually if I go to the gym too late on a weekend morning I am content with a cup of strong coffee and I just wait until it’s lunch time. But when I got home, Chris was making coconut porter pancakes. Using a bottle of this amazing porter that in my mind was destined for coconut flan. The kitchen smelled so nice and the first pancake tasted so good that I quickly set up two photography boards to take pictures (why miss an opportunity?)
Again, thanks Lyndsey and Bradley for the awesome Christmas gift of craft beer shipments! How did you know we will like it:)?
The flan will have to wait until we get some more Arcadia Ales Porter Rico. We had the first two bottles from the shipment several nights ago and were surprised by how drinkable it was.
This ale was somewhat deceptive in that it made us think that it was going to be heavy and boozy. Not the case. It poured with a rich tan head and was a dark brown color. It had unmistakable toasted coconut aromas and every sip was invigorating with its lighter body and higher carbonation (higher than typical porters). We thought that it was more of a dunkel lagerish crisp, definitely not full and syrupy as many porters are… The sweetness of chocolate and toasted malts was persistent and ended with a hint of coffee like acidity.
The batter was pretty thick and Chris used a 1/2 cup measure to make sure all the pancakes were the same size. I had no idea that if the pan was not hot enough, the batter would spread more and result in larger and thinner pancakes. Now I am better informed.
The pancakes were fluffy, sweet (adding maple syrup was not a necessity), and so flavorful. I have a feeling that if you made coconut porter pancakes you would not want to go back to a plain beer-less recipe. There was little alcohol in the Porter Rico (ABV 5.5%) to start with and none to be felt in the actual pancakes. Just the toasty coconut sweetness.
We loaded them with banana slices and unsweetened coconut shavings for crunch. They were superb with hot coffee.
To make your own just find a similar coconut porter or coconut stout. Or if you are not into coconut – use a chocolate porter or stout and chocolate chips in the batter? Or borrow the flavor profiles from this recipe for Hefeweizen Crepes with Ricotta, Blueberries and Lemon. Or just be creative. Craft beer makes awesome pancakes, you will not be disappointed.
Psst…If it is Sunday and you are not really going anywhere after breakfast…try pairing the pancakes with a glass of the very same beer you used for the batter.
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Coconut Porter Pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs beaten
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 coconut porter 12 oz
- 3-4 tbsp vegetable oil for cooking the pancakes
- coconut flakes or shredded coconut optional, for garnish
- banana slices optional, for garnish
- pure maple syrup optional, recommended
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Add the two beaten eggs and the melted butter and incorporate well.
- Add the porter and whisk until a thick, uniform batter is achieved.
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
- Use about 1/2 tbsp of vegetable oil per pancake.
- Depending on the size of your pancakes, cook each side until it begins to brown slightly.
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Agness of Run Agness Run says
I love pancakes, but I haven’t tried this recipe yet! Amazing idea and great pictures, Milena and Chris!
CraftBeering says
Thanks so much Agness:) We hope you make them soon, they were delicious.
Miz Helen says
Your Pancakes look delicious! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with us at Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great day and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
CraftBeering says
Thank you so much! Love Full Plate Thursday!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Some of my favourite things in one recipe! I love porters and love love love coconut so this recipe is calling my name! This is something I would love to have on Saturday morning all curled up with a cup or two of coffee. Then again, your suggestion of having with some of that porter sounds pretty good too 😉
CraftBeering says
I hear you about porters! This one was truly destined to shine as a recipe ingredient:)