Caramel Apple Oven Puffed Pancakes with Apple Butter, Buttermilk Syrup

I am not a huge pancake fan . . . I don't go for "regular" pancakes often . . . but I do LOVE Ricotta pancakes . . . and any "jazzed up pancakes." I made these pancakes with the plethora of apples waiting patiently in my kitchen to shine.I am in love with the apple butter, buttermilk syrup! It would make anything taste good! In fact it was a pretty decadent breakfast! Caramel Apple Oven Puffed Pancakes with Apple Butter, Buttermilk Syrup
1 Cup Ricotta Cheese, or blended cottage cheese, or strained sour cream, or strained yogurt
3/4 cup Flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
3 Tbsp Sugar
1/8 tsp Salt
3/4 cup Milk
3 eggs, divided
1 tsp Vanilla
2 Tbsp Apple Butter
2 Granny Smith Apples, cored, peeled, and sliced
2 Tbsp Butter
3 Tbsp Brown Sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Add butter and brown sugar to an oven safe skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted add the sliced apples and cook until softened and the butter and brown sugar have thickened a bit.

2. While apples are cooking whisk flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar together in a medium bowl. Seperate egg whites and yolks. Combine ricotta cheese, milk, eggs yolks, apple butter and vanilla in another bowl, mixing well. Combine the flour mixture with the ricotta mixture and set aside.

3. Beat the 3 egg whites until stiff. Gently fold egg whites into ricotta batter.

4. Turn off the burner and arrange apples evenly on the bottom of the skillet. Butter the sides of the skillet and then pour the batter over apples and bake in a 375 oven until pancake is puffed and golden brown. Flip pancake onto a plate so that the apples are on top. Serve with butter and syrup or fruit preserves if desired. Enjoy!

Apple Butter Buttermilk Syrup
1 cube Butter (or margarine)
1 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Buttermilk
1/3 cup Apple Butter
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp Baking Soda

Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the sugar, buttermilk, apple butter and vanilla. Cook and stir until thick. Add the baking soda, stir and serve warm.