Baked Apple Pancake Bites with Maple Caramel

• Pancake Bites:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 cup granny smith apples, peeled & chopped into 1/2” cubes
• Maple Caramel:
• 8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare Apple Cakelet Pan with baking spray that contains flour, and spread evenly using a pastry brush. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Add liquid mixture to dry ingredients and mix until combined and small lumps are still visible. Fold in apples. Fill each apple well 2/3 full of batter and bake for 15-20 minutes or until centers are fully cooked. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes before inverting onto a cooling rack. Repeat with remaining batter.

While pancakes are baking, prepare maple caramel sauce. In a small saucepan, melt butter until it starts to brown and smell nutty. Add brown sugar and cream and whisk until combined. Boil for 3 minutes and add maple syrup. Remove from heat and stir in salt until smooth. Let sauce cool slightly before serving. Enjoy pancakes with a drizzle of caramel sauce or dip bites for a fun morning treat! Makes 25-28 cakelets.

*Sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week.