Vegan pancakes with strawberry jam

Vegan Pancakes with Strawberry Jam

Are you looking for a simple, quick, and delicious recipe that will bring a smile to your loved ones' faces? Vegan pancakes are a perfect choice! These mini donuts, filled with strawberry jam, are ideal for a special breakfast or a sweet snack. Plus, they are easy to make and require no special ingredients. Come discover with me the secret to these fluffy and aromatic pancakes!

Preparation Time
- Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Rising time: 1 hour
- Frying time: 10 minutes
- Total: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings (approximately 8 pancakes)

Ingredients
- 300 ml warm water
- Fresh yeast (about the size of a walnut)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1-2 tablespoons sugar (or 1 packet of vanilla sugar)
- Flour (approximately 500 g, as needed – I prefer to keep the dough a bit softer)
- 2 tablespoons oil (for the dough)
- Grated zest of one lemon (for extra flavor)
- Strawberry jam (or any preferred jam, to taste)

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Activating the yeast: In a deep bowl, add the fresh yeast, salt, sugar, and grated lemon zest. Pour in the warm water (not hot, to avoid killing the yeast) and mix well until you achieve a homogeneous mixture. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy. This is an important step that ensures even rising.

2. Preparing the dough: Gradually add the flour, mixing constantly until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. You can use a wooden spoon at first and then switch to kneading by hand. During kneading, add the 2 tablespoons of oil. Continue kneading the dough for about 15-20 minutes. The dough should be elastic and slightly sticky, but not overly so.

3. Rising: Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume. This is an essential step that will make your pancakes fluffy and airy.

4. Shaping the pancakes: Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1 cm. Use a glass or a cookie cutter to cut out rounds. On half of the rounds, add a teaspoon of strawberry jam, then cover with another half and gently press the edges to seal the filling.

5. Frying: In a deep skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Make sure the oil is well heated before adding the pancakes to achieve a golden and crispy crust. Fry the pancakes for 2-3 minutes on each side until they become golden and fluffy. Remove them onto paper towels to absorb excess oil.

6. Finishing: Once they have cooled slightly, dust the pancakes with powdered vanilla sugar for a festive look and an extra hint of sweetness.

Practical Tips
- Jam: If you prefer, you can experiment with other types of jam, such as plum or peach. You can also use berry jams for a more intense flavor.
- Flavoring: You can add a bit of vanilla or cinnamon to the dough for a more sophisticated taste.
- Gluten-Free Option: If you are following a gluten-free diet, you can replace wheat flour with a combination of rice flour and almond flour.

Nutritional Benefits
These vegan pancakes are an excellent choice for those looking to avoid animal products. Yeast provides B vitamins, and strawberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Whole flour (if you choose to use it) provides valuable fiber to the body.

Serving and Combinations
Pancakes can be served warm, alongside a fragrant tea or cappuccino, for a delicious breakfast. You can also create a platter with fresh fruits and plant-based yogurt for a healthy snack.

Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use dry yeast? Yes, you can use dry yeast. Replace fresh yeast with about 7 g of dry yeast and follow the same steps.
- Can pancakes be frozen? Yes, you can freeze fried pancakes. Place them in an airtight container and take them out a few hours before serving to let them defrost at room temperature.

Now that you have all the necessary information, all that’s left is to get cooking! Enjoy these vegan pancakes with strawberry jam and share them with your loved ones. Every bite will be an explosion of flavor and taste!