Cherries are in season!! Woohoo! Such an exciting time of the year since cherries can be used with anything; breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert (Dip them in brownie batter dip: you’re welcome! 😉 )

This morning I was craving chocolate … for breakfast. Nothing unusual around here. So I whipped up your typical pancakes:

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY PANCAKES … with almond maple cream.

The addition of almond extract gives these pancakes that classic candy flavor! Oh, my. Another heathy, dessert-style breakfast in the books. It’s filling (added protein!) and so scrumptious! Any chocolate covered cherry lover will drool over these pancakes.

Yep, I think I just drooled on the keyboard while reminiscing my breakfast. Whoops …

chocolate covered cherry pancakes (with almond maple cream):
Yeilds 1 serving
Points Per Serving: 7pp

PANCAKES:
1/3C pancake mix (Hodgsonmill Buckwheat Pancake Mix is what I use)
1/2C unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 melted banana
1T quick oats
1t chia seeds
14g chocolate protein powder* (I use Designer Whey, but feel free to use your favorite chocolate protein powder)
a tiny splash of almond extract
5 sweet cherries (3 pitted and diced, reserve 2 for topping)

ALMOND MAPLE CREAM:
a tiny splash of almond extract (less than 1/8t)
2T sugar free pancake syrup (I use Walden Farms)
2T fat free whipped topping (I use Truwhip)

 *no protein powder? That’s ok! Just sub 1t or so of cocoa powder in its place!

•Mix together all pancake ingredients (leaving the 2 cherries to the side) and cook on the griddle/skillet.
•While pancakes are getting all lovely, mix together almond maple cream ingredients. Set aside.
•When pancakes are done, top with almond maple cream and 2 cherries.

Beautiful!