Cherries, cherries everywhere: Chocolate Cherry Pancakes

California is filled with cherries this time of year, and the crop seems to get sweeter each day, if that's possible. This is the perfect time to make Chocolate Cherry Pancakes.

One of my favorite recipes for Chocolate Cherry Pancakes is found on one of my favorite blogs: Macheesmo (Cook something), and last year Nick had a super Recipe for Chocolate Cherry Pancakes. He developed the recipe based on his love of Cherry Garcia ice-cream. I share his passion for Cherry Garcia ice-cream.. and for Jerry, too. How many concerts did I attend? More than you probably need to know.

Chocolate Cherry Pancakes are a great way to start the weekend. All you just have to do is follow Nick's instructions for this beautiful and delicious breakfast treat. I use dark chocolate, of course, and I'm so thankful for his clear directions, notes and photos. Here's the link again. I like breakfast for dinner, so give 'em a try then, too!

I mentioned the other day that I'm into Mixes in a Jar (Fabulous Chocolate Brownies in a Jar), so here's a recipe for Chocolate Cherry Pancakes in a Jar. This recipe calls for dried cherries, and you can do that if you're giving this as a gift (it will look pretty), but you can also omit the dried cherries and write "add fresh quartered cherries" to your instruction label.

Chocolate Cherry Pancakes in a Jar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dried cherries
2/3 cup dark chocolate, broken into pieces

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. Put flour mixture into a 1-quart jar. Add cherries, then add chocolate. Seal Jar. Add some fabric and/or rafia and attach tag with instructions--or you can make your own personalized instruction label. That's what I do.

Chocolate Cherry Pancakes 
Makes 25 pancakes
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup sweet butter, melted
Contents of Jar of "Chocolate Cherry Pancakes"
1 1/2 to 2 cups whole milk

Mix eggs and melted butter in large bowl. Add contents of jar. Stir until well blended. Add 1-1/2 cups milk. Stir until dry ingredients are moistened.

Heat griddle or skillet. Pour batter onto hot griddle 1/4 cup at a time. Cook pancakes until golden on both sides.