From the most essential banana pancakes, to the best summer blueberry pancakes, the fluffiest pumpkin pancakes, and the most show-stopping holiday recipes, I’ve rounded up the yummiest, creative and healthy pancakes that have captivated me in 2019.

If you’ve been keeping up with the pancake madness over the past few months, I’m happy to announce that I finished the semester at 135 pancakes cooked and consumed, a solid 35% above the goal. I was testing an analogy that’s pounded into our core curriculum: Balancing life as a medical student is like having to eat 100 pancakes. Indeed, it is totally manageable if you eat just a few at a time, stay prepared and eat them regularly, change up the varieties, and don’t forget the ones that you love while bringing new recipes into your life. Honestly, I didn’t even have to go out of my way to eat all these pancakes. Probably would have eaten this many anyway. 🙈

But for the record, I do have photographs of all 135. See below.

I couldn’t end the semester pancake challenge without a recap of the star recipes, and since 2019 is coming to a close, I figured we needed a “best of” roundup for the year…pancake style. Rather than numerical rankings (I’d never be able to decide on an order), I just made up arbitrary categories for the most superb pancakes and picked one winner for each. Let me know your thoughts as well!

Most Essential

Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes with Peanut Butter

If I had to guess a single recipe that I have made more times than ANY other, of all types of food, of all time, it’s banana chocolate chip pancakes. The recipe has adapted slightly since I first published it in 2015 (MAK and Her Cheese’s first post EVER), but the basic formula has remained a staple through the years. By now I can roll out of bed, grab the ingredients, and have a hot stack of these on a plate without a second thought. They’ve won “most essential” in this year’s roundup not only because they’ve become such a staple, but somehow they never get boring, never disappoint on soft and comforting texture, can be made all year long with on-hand ingredients, and the recipe is easily adaptable for fun variations–like espresso banana chocolate chip and banana birthday pancakes. This year I also discovered that I can top them with chocolate peanut butter instead of regular (pictured above with PB Crave Dark & Semi Sweet). Because I am an adult and adults can do that. 😉

Coziest Fall Favorite

The Ultimate Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes

No description can really do justice to the remarkably soft, thick and voluminous, gloriously filling texture of these pumpkin pancakes. Another staple that I’ve been hooked on for years, and literally my favorite thing to make to usher in fall. Complete with the yummiest seasonal spices; topped with maple almond butter, maple syrup, and caramelized banana; and rounded out with chocolate chips, of course. These are sure to rock your senses. 

Best Fall Newcomer

Spiced Whole Grain Apple Butter Pancakes with Maple Apples

While these pancakes are new to the MAK and Her Cheese scene, the sautéed maple apple topping has been a favorite on my whipped banana oatmeal for years. The pancake version was long overdue, but at last it arrived this fall with a special ingredient to make the pancakes dense, hearty, and kissed with sweet apple goodness. 

Summer’s Finest

Blueberry (or Blackberry) Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Pancakes with Vanilla Maple Mascarpone and Balsamic

I originally designed this recipe to be an indulgence just for special occasions, but before I knew it I was stocking mascarpone like it was butter and putting it in and on literally every type of food. This maple mascarpone cream is what your pancakes and waffles and French toast and oatmeal and muffins and baked goods have been missing your whole life. Plus, if you have some, a drizzle of really high quality thick balsamic is a game-changer. The Greek yogurt-buttermilk-whole grain pancake base is light and so versatile, perfect to have in your back pocket. 

Boldest Flavor

 Whole Grain Espresso Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes with Maple Almond Butter

Coffee-lovers rejoice! These pancakes stem from my fool-proof banana pancakes (one of many reasons they won most essential). But here we go a step further with the deep flavor of espresso paired with warm spices, dark chocolate chips, rich maple almond butter, and sticky coffee-coated caramelized banana coins. Ready to wow your taste buds?

Best Use of Leftovers

Whole Grain Sweet Potato Pancakes with Maple Mascarpone and Pecans

One reason I was so pleased with this new recipe was that they didn’t turn out to be just a riff-off of pumpkin pancakes. The baked sweet potato brought something truly unique and absolutely worth skipping the can. Dense, flavorful, and an ideal vessel for more of that divine maple mascarpone cream. Of course mine featured chocolate chips as well.

Most Impressive for the Holidays

Orange Ricotta Chocolate Chip Pancakes with Maple Bourbon Mascarpone

BRAND NEW this season! These pancakes are mind-bogglingly thick, moist, and luxurious from the ricotta but also taste wonderfully light and delicate. A touch of orange zest contrasts the rich dark chocolate and smooth maple glaze with just a hint of bourbon. If you want to show your guests or family that you really know what’s up in the kitchen, whip up these gourmet beauties and you’ll be the star host of the decade. No one has to know that they’re ridiculously simple to make.

Most Instagrammable

Chocolatey Banana Birthday Pancake Stack

Finally, here’s a picture of my skipping lecture on my 23rd birthday to play with my food. I simply stacked up my most essential banana pancakes with seared banana coins and chocolate chips in between, then slathered melty chocolate coconut peanut butter (Wild Friends) over the top and let it drip down the sides. Plus candles for the razzle dazzle. Because everything’s more fun with fire, right?

Thank you for putting up with the pancake madness this year. I may be finished with the pancake challenge, but never fear, there will be plenty more pancakes to come in 2020. Happy New Year and New Decade!