Embracing Roots (Recipe: The Mansion at Elfindale’s Sweet Potato Pancakes)

by Sandie on January 11, 2010

With a long and somewhat romantic history, sweet potatoes, once tasted, are a root vegetable not soon forgotten.

Native to tropical America and known to be cultivated in South America prior to Inca civilization, sweet potatoes possess a flavor balanced precariously between sweet and savory, boasting a hint of spice that has earned them entry into a variety of culinary uses, including the following recipe. Prepared any way you would cook ordinary potatoes (baked, boiled, roasted or mashed), choose sweet potatoes that are small to medium in size (as larger tubers tend become overly tough & fibrous), as well as firm to the touch and evenly shaped.

Believed to have been introduced to Spain (and subsequently England) via Christopher Columbus, it was rumored Henry VIII preferred his sweet potatoes baked in pie, convinced they enhanced his more amorous endeavors.

Aphrodisiac properties aside, the following Sweet Potato Pancake recipe from The Mansion at Elfindale Bed & Breakfast is both intriguing and delectable. Easy to prepare (using canned sweet potato puree and pre-packaged pancake mix), the following recipe allows you to put a hot breakfast on the table in a matter of minutes.

A great change of pace for breakfast or brunch, these pancakes are also suited as an unusual dinner side and would pair well with turkey or pork.

Sweet Potato Pancakes

(recipe featured on Inn Cuisine, adapted from The Mansion of Elfindale Bed & Breakfast via the Sunrise Inn Missouri Cookbook, circa 2002)

  • 1 can (15 ounces) sweet potato puree (I recommend Trader Joe’s Organic Sweet Potato Puree if you have a store nearby. If not,  your favorite brand will do.)
  • 3 cups pancake mix (the Krusteaz line of pancake mixes work well in this recipe)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups milk, add more if necessary

Add sweet potato puree to large mixing bowl and stir. Add pancake mix, eggs and milk, stirring until combined and batter reaches desired consistency. Using a 1/4 to 1/3 measuring cup, pour batter onto hot griddle or skillet pre-warmed over medium heat. Cook until pancakes begin to just set and bubble, flipping gently to finish cooking on the opposite side; pancakes should be lightly golden in color and not browned. Serve warm with your favorite topping or syrup.

Yield: serves 4-6

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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

1 bellini valli January 11, 2010 at 6:06 am

These would definitely be an excellent change of pace Sandie.

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2 Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) January 11, 2010 at 8:12 am

I love a recipe that’s easy to make from pantry ingredients. And we now have a Trader Joe’s nearby, so I’ll check for the sweet potato puree you recommend.

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3 Maria January 11, 2010 at 12:34 pm

The pancakes look perfect! Fluffy, hearty, and delicious!

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4 carolyn January 11, 2010 at 12:52 pm

AMAZING!!!! Love the photos and the entire site!!!! So glad I came upon this!

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5 Susan January 11, 2010 at 2:51 pm

They do sound delicious!

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6 pigpigscorner January 11, 2010 at 4:34 pm

this is gorgeous!

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7 grace January 11, 2010 at 5:07 pm

holy cow, these are so easy! you know what’d be perfect on top–cinnamon butter. mmm. actually, that’d be perfect on any pancake. all right, i’ll say it–that’d be perfect on ANYTHING. :)

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8 Michelle January 11, 2010 at 5:28 pm

These look like a lovely way to start the day. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

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9 Chef Aimee January 11, 2010 at 7:24 pm

There is an eatery called Munday’s around here that has sweet potato pancakes on their menu in the wintertime, but these look SO much better! :) Thanks for sharing all this goodness!

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10 jane (thisweekfordinner) January 14, 2010 at 3:30 am

sweet potato pancakes? be still my beating heart! thank you for sharing!! :)

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11 Sandie January 14, 2010 at 11:48 am

Val – My husband is convinced these would make a great (albeit unusual) dinner side as well. After much thought, I have to agree, at least with turkey or pork.

Lydia – Lucky you. To get to my (current) favorite Trader Joe’s is a 3.5 hour drive!

Maria – Thank you! I thought they turned out rather well myself ;) (a plus when you want to feature them on your blog)

Carolyn – Thanks for your kind words and dropping by—I’m glad you found this site as well!

Susan & PigsPigsCorner – 2 for the price of 1: delicious & gorgeous, I hope you’ll give them a try next time you’re in the mood for a savory breakfast/brunch.

Grace – You hit the nail on the head, cinnamon-butter would be perfect on these pancakes. Great thinking!

Michelle – My pleasure!

Chef Aimee – Mine look better? Such a nice thing to hear. I’m convinced some recipes/batters just turn out nicer looking pancakes than others—a plus when you’re serving them to family, friends & guests.

Jane – You’re welcome. Thank you for dropping by :)

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