Apple-Cinnamon Pile o' Pancakes

Source: Cheerios Cookbook by the Betty Crocker Editors

1 cup Apple Cinnamon Cheerios cereal
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup milk
2/3 cup chunky applesauce
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
Maple syrup or maple-flavored syrup

Heat griddle or 12-inch skillet over medium-low heat or to 325 degrees F.

Pour cereal into plastic bag and seal. Crush cereal with rolling pin or can of soup. Pour crushed cereal into large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients, except syrup, just until moistened.

Pour batter, a generous 1/4 cup at a time, onto hot griddle. Cook 2 minutes or until edges look cooked and bubbles begin to break on the surface. Flip pancakes and cook other side until golden, about 2 minutes longer.

Serve with syrup.

Makes 5 servings (2 pancakes and 2 tablespoons syrup each).

Tasty topping: Skip the syrup and top instead with warm apple pie filling or a sprinkle of brown sugar.