I decided to use the apples in my bountiful basket to make apple cider in the slow cooker. It made my house smell heavenly! I then used the apple cider to make delicious, gluten free pancakes. This post took me forever to write because I knew I’d be including the recipe for the apple cider AND the pancakes. That seemed like a lot of work to me, but I’m excited to share the result with you!

To make the cider, simply chop up about 8 apples and place them in a slow cooker. Fill with water and add a cinnamon stick, a whole nutmeg, and tablespoon of whole cloves.

Keep the slow cooker on high for 3 hours, or until the apples are very soft and your kitchen smells amazing. Strain and sweeten the cider with stevia, honey, or maple syrup.

The apple cider pancakes were adapted from a recipe by Iowa Girl Eats. To make the pancakes, start by grinding a box of dry buckwheat in the blender until fine:

Buckwheat is rich in protein and fiber. It’s gluten free, too! Buckwheat flour imparts a hearty, nutty taste to these pancakes.

Ingredients (for the batter):
1 cup flour (buckwheat, or half buckwheat and half all purpose for fluffier pancakes)
1 tbs sugar
1.5 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg, beaten
2 tbs butter, melted
2 tbs apple butter
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup apple cider

For the maple cider syrup:
1 apple, peeled and chopped
1 tbs butter
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup apple cider
2 tbs maple syrup

Instructions:
1. Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Whisk in the wet ingredients for the batter and combine until there are no lumps.
2. Spray a pan or griddle with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Cook 1/4 cup of batter at a time. Flip with a spatula when bubbles start to form and cook until golden brown on both sides.
3. To make the syrup, combine butter, apples, cinnamon, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. After 5 minutes, add the apple cider and maple syrup. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.

Serve the pancakes topped with syrup!