Homemade Blueberry Syrup For Pancakes and Waffles

Do you love to eat breakfast out at a really good pancake house? One of the best parts can be their yummy fruit syrups. Not that maple syrup isn't good - I love it! But how about making some fresh Blueberry Syrup at home the next time you make homemade pancakes for your family?
Here is a simple recipe to use. Your family will love it!

BLUEBERRY PANCAKE SYRUP

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup water

In a medium saucepan, stir together all ingredients. Cook together over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, stirring gently. Turn heat down to medium low and cook for 12 to 15 minutes. Use potato masher to gently break up berries into the syrup mixture. It is fine to have some berries floating in the syrup, so don't over-mash it.
Serve over your favorite pancake or waffle recipe, or use it to liven up frozen store bought waffles. Store remainder in the fridge for a few days. Can be used warm or cold.

Breakfast For Dinner - Great Waffles or Pancakes

I always have buttermilk on hand at my house. I make homemade waffles and pancakes often for breakfast or dinner, and it takes a quart of buttermilk to make them for our big family. Breakfast for dinner, you say? Well, why not? Most people don't have time for a traditional breakfast in the morning anymore. So serve it up at suppertime to get that homey comfort you remember from childhood.
I love this recipe because it's quick, the leftovers can be bagged and used on other busy days, and it's cheap!

NINA'S HOMEMADE WAFFLES
Mix together in bowl:
4 cups Flour
4 TBSP. Baking Powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
Add:
6 eggs
1 quart buttermilk
2/3 c. vegetable oil
Stir with wire whisk until mostly smooth; a few small lumps are fine.

Heat your waffle iron and cook as directed until golden brown. Mine takes 2/3 cup of batter, but yours may vary. Serve hot with butter and maple syrup, homemade blueberry topping (see recipe below), or sliced fresh fruit like strawberries or bananas.

Tips:
- Cool extra waffles on a wire rack; freeze two together in ziplock bags for popping in the toaster instead of toast.

- For smaller families, half the recipe! Nina's version makes a ton.

- Add one of the following to your batter, or sprinkly on waffle when you put in the iron to bake:
Chopped pecans or walnuts
Chocolate chips
Frozen blueberries

TO MAKE PANCAKES INSTEAD OF WAFFLES:

Decrease eggs to 4
Use 1/2 c. oil instead of 2/3
Add 1/2 c. sugar to batter with the dry ingredients

Homemade Blueberry Topping

I buy and freeze fresh blueberries in season every summer by tucking each individual blueberry carton in its own ziplock bag for the freezer. They last all year that way, and are quick and easy for incorporating in recipes when you need them.

1 cartoon frozen blueberries
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Put all ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat to boiling, then lower heat and simmer until berries are 'smushy'. Stir as it cooks; don't let it burn! Add a little more water if needed. Serve warm over waffles or pancakes.