Stardust Chocolate Pancakes

1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar and strawberry preserves (optional)

In small bowl, combine milk, egg and butter; whisk until blended.

In medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking soda and salt; mix well. Add milk mixture; whisk just until dry ingredients are moistened.

Heat griddle over medium heat until hot. With handle upright, place a star pancake mold onto griddle; heat 2 minutes. Lightly spray interior of mold and griddle with nonstick cooking spray.

For each pancake, pour scant 1/4 cup batter into mold, spreading batter to fill mold. Cook 1-2 minutes or until batter is set around edges. Carefully lift up mold to release pancake; turn and cook 1-2 minutes or until pancakes are baked through. Repeat with remaining batter. If desired, sprinkle pancakes with confectioners' sugar.

Serve warm with strawberry preserves.

Yield: 12 pancakes

Nutrients per serving: (3 pancakes): Calories 270, Total Fat 9 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 75 mg, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 9 g, Sodium 560 mg, Fiber 3 g