Yield: 8 pancakes

I love oatmeal cookies with dried cranberries and pecans and, in my never-ending quest for new pancake varieties, I thought the cookies would translate beautifully into pancakes. I think they are spectacular in a homespun way and hope you agree.

1 cup less 1 tablespoon unsweetened soy milk (plain or vanilla soy milk would also be good–regular or lite)

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (white vinegar is fine too)

1/2 cup self-rising flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 cup oatmeal

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice

3/4 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans (toast in a dry skillet for a few minutes over medium-high if desired)

Vegan butter and/or vegetable oil for frying

Garnish: a few dried cranberries and pecan halves per serving

Preheat oven to warm. In a small bowl, whisk together soy milk and vinegar to make vegan buttermilk. In a medium mixing bowl, place next 7 dry ingredients. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in soy buttermilk. Stir together with a fork until well combined. Stir in cranberries and chopped pecans.  In a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the vegan butter, oil or a combination. (I like a combination: the oil reduces chances of burning while the butter contributes flavor.) Using a 1/4 cup measure, make pancakes, two at a time. Cook a couple of minutes on the first side until you see a few bubbles, get a nice rise and the edges appear set. Gently flip and cook another couple of minutes on the reverse. Add butter and/or oil to keep skillet greased as needed. If pancakes are cooking too quickly, lower heat to medium, especially for second side. When cooked through, remove pancakes to plates or a serving platter, keep warm in an oven preheated to low, and repeat with remaining butter and/or oil and pancake batter. Serve warm with real Maple Syrup garnished as desired with dried cranberries and pecan halves.