Banana Pancakes with Ricotta and Chocolate Sauce – We Should Cocoa #63
When I set banana as this month’s ingredient for We Should Cocoa, I didn’t have anything particular in mind, but with the run of wet weather we’ve been experiencing down in Cornwall over the last few days, I needed comfort and cheer. It had to be pancakes. Not just any old pancakes, but something a little luxurious which was also healthy, delicious and above all comforting, Banana pancakes it was then – with added ricotta.
Pancakes are always comforting, so I had that angle covered. I thought adding ricotta cheese and smothering the banana pancakes with chocolate sauce would raise the game on the luxury stakes. For the healthy part, I made the pancakes with buckwheat and used the bananas and some creamy cherry and chocolate flavoured organic yoghurt to sweeten them a little. Using buckwheat flour had the added benefit of making these banana pancakes, gluten free. I made the chocolate sauce with 70% dark chocolate and maple syrup – oh and double cream too! Of course you could leave the cream out of the sauce if you really wanted to.
Pancakes are easy to make, but as I was adding bananas and wanted a smooth light batter, I bunged all my ingredients into my much used Optimum 9200A Next Generation high speed blender. Twenty seconds on high speed and I had the smooth light batter I was after. It was then a simple process of pouring the batter into a lightly greased pan in suitable sized rounds. Smothered with chocolate sauce and eaten hot, these banana pancakes were scrumptious and definitely comforting. Despite the lack of sugar, they were perfectly sweet enough. Although banana was the main flavour, a delightful fruity note came through from the cherry and dark chocolate yoghurt.
- 100g buckwheat flour
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 90g ricotta cheese
- 150ml yoghurt of choice (I used Rachel's organic cherry & dark chocolate)
- 1 large egg
- 2 small bananas
- 75ml double cream
- 50g 70% dark chocolate
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- flaked almonds - toasted
- Either place all the ingredients into a blender (I used my Froothie Optimum 9200A), or mash the banana well and whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Leave to rest and get on with making the chocolate sauce.
- Place a lightly greased large non-stick pan over a medium heat and pour or drop large spoonfuls of batter into the pan.
- Cook for about 3 minutes and when bubbles start to appear on the tops, flip over and cook for a further 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from the pan and either eat immediately or keep warm in the oven until all are ready.
- Repeat the process until all the batter has been used.
- Place the cream, chocolate and maple syrup into a small pan and warm over a gently heat until the chocolate has melted.
- Stir gently until the sauce is glossy and smooth.
- Pour over the pancakes and scatter some almonds over the top.
- Cold pancakes can be kept for a couple of days and reheated in a toaster.
These banana pancakes are my entry to this month’s #WeShouldCocoa. Not only are the pancakes very bananary, but they contain chocolate from the yoghurt and of course are smothered in dark chocolate sauce.
Being healthier than your average pancakes, these would make a lovely weekend breakfast treat, so I’m sending them off to Made with Pink for Brilliant Breakfasts. Chocolate for breakfast? Why not?
You might also like these healthy takes on a pancake
- Apple & cinnamon pancake rolls via Celery and Cupcakes
- Coconut banana protein pancakes via Made With Pink
- Coconut pancakes via The Crafty Larder
- Coconut plantain pancakes via Recipes From a Pantry
- Multi seed spelt pancakes via The Botanical Baker
- Oat and coconut pancakes via Franglais Kitchen
- Spiced kefir pancakes via Tin and Thyme
- Strawberry chocolate chip vegan pancakes via Nadia’s Healthy Kitchen
- Wholewheat pancakes with chocolate chips and orange blossom via Casa Costello
I use the Optimum 9200A for smoothies, spreads, sauces and even chocolate making. The post contains affiliate links. Buying through a link will not cost you any more, but I will get a small commission. This helps keep Tin and Thyme blythe and blogging. Opinions are, as always, my own. At point of going to press, the Optimum 9200A is on offer at £299.
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Our Monthly Chocolate Challenge
Helen at Casa Costello
6th November 2015
OH how I wish I liked banana – its a terrible inconvenience when recipes look as tempting as yours. Chocolate & Cherry sound more my thing though! Thanks for the mention – Sharing now x
Choclette
7th November 2015
I do understand not liking bananas. They are a funny thing. I don’t mind the flavour, but I can’t eat a banana all on it’s own.
Dom
6th November 2015
these really are quite divine but it’s the chocolate sauce that quite frankly has me weak at the knees!
Choclette
7th November 2015
I know what you mean Dom. Chocolate sauce makes so many things better.
Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe
7th November 2015
I had chocolate sauce on pancakes last weekend and make banana pancakes regularly so I love the sound of these pancakes. In fact banana pancakes has made manky old bananas in my kitchen seem so much more attractive. I’m thinking about WSC and hope to get something in because this is such a great combination.
Choclette
7th November 2015
I’ve added bananas to pancakes before Johanna, but these ones were extra bananary – a fab vehicle for chocolate sauce 😉 I’m sure you’ll come up with something interesting and tasty.
Craig - The Usual Saucepans
7th November 2015
These look amazing! Love the idea of adding some ricotta into the mix and who can say no to a decedent chocolate sauce on top?!?!?!
Choclette
7th November 2015
Well exactly Craig 😉
sue|theviewfromgreatisland
7th November 2015
Oh wow, that chocolate sauce! Can I just slather it on everything??
Choclette
7th November 2015
Permission is granted Sue 😉
Made With Pink
8th November 2015
Chocolate for breakfast – these are definitely my kind of pancakes! I love the use of different ingredients like the yogurt and buckwheat flour. And that chocolate sauce well I’d probably use the whole lot on one breakfast for my self 🙂 Thanks very much for including my coconut pancakes and for linking up to Brilliant Breakfasts.
Choclette
8th November 2015
Nothing wrong with a bit of chocolate for breakfast. Chocolate porridge is good too 😉
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes
8th November 2015
Look at that chocolate sauce oozing on top. These look delicious! I love pancakes as a treat at the weekend. Thank you for including my recipe. 🙂
Choclette
8th November 2015
I agree Jemma, they are a real treat and not something to have too often.
Lucy @ BakingQueen74
8th November 2015
This looks like a very nice breakfast indeed! What is with all the banana hating, I love em, banana bread is a fave as well as simply bananas
Choclette
8th November 2015
Haha, Lucy – there’s nowt as queer as folk 😉
Corina
8th November 2015
I especially love the sound of that yummy looking chocolate sauce you’ve made to serve with the pancakes.
Choclette
8th November 2015
Thanks Corina, chocolate sauce is always a winner 🙂
the caked crusader
8th November 2015
Your chocolate sauce looks amazing – so glossy!
Choclette
8th November 2015
If you’re going to have chocolate sauce, it’s got to be glossy CC 😉
Kavey
8th November 2015
Such an appealing combo, these sound super tasty. I’m going to try the banana ricotta combo!
Choclette
9th November 2015
If you like bananas Kavey, it’s a good combination.
Angie@Angie's Recipes
8th November 2015
I love the combo of flavour of those pancakes. The chocolate sauce makes them particularly tempting.
Choclette
9th November 2015
Haha, thanks Angie, chocolate sauce makes everything more tempting 😉
Fiona @ London-Unattached
8th November 2015
I’m a big fan of banana pancakes, though I’ve never tried adding ricotta. And, I suspect if I made them with chocolate sauce it would end up being addictive!
Choclette
9th November 2015
Well if you omit the chocolate sauce, these pancakes aren’t too calorie loaded and the ricotta makes them just that little bit more satisfying.
bakingaddict
8th November 2015
Pancakes were one of my ideas and I’ve also gone for a breakfast theme. I love ricotta pancakes and yours with banana and chocolate sounds delicious. Definitely yes to chocolate for breakfast!
Choclette
9th November 2015
Ah well I knew you’d approved of chocolate for breakfast Ros. Now what have you prepared for breakfast I wonder?
Janie
9th November 2015
Mmmm, they look scrummy Choclette! Love the gloss and shine on your chocolate sauce too 🙂
Janie x
Choclette
9th November 2015
If you’re going to have chocolate sauce, it may as well be a glossy one 😉
Kate - gluten free alchemist
11th November 2015
Banana pancakes and chocolate sauce? AND gluten free? what’s not to love?
Buckwheat is so good for GF pancakes and banana and chocolate are always heaven when sharing a plate. That sauce looks so rich and decadent!
Choclette
11th November 2015
Yes, thank goodness for buckwheat pancakes, they are really really good. The chocolate sauce was the only decadent bit and if you don’t think cream is bad for you, well hey!
Stuart Vettese
11th November 2015
Love the use of banana in these Choclette. And that choccy sauce – oh my! Gorgeous
Choclette
12th November 2015
Thanks Stuart. You couldn’t miss the banana in these and chocolate sauce is a must 😉
Heidi Roberts
11th November 2015
Why am I not surprised there is a chocolate sauce on these pancakes perfect brunch!!
Choclette
12th November 2015
Haha Heidi, it would be downright strange if there wasn’t chocolate sauce 😉
wendy malone
3rd January 2016
the best pancake and chocolate.