Apple Pancakes with Cinnamon Butter

Preparation

1. For cinnamon butter:

   Step 1

   Using electric mixer, beat all ingredients in small bowl until blended.

2. For pancakes:

   Step 2

   Combine lemon juice and peel in bowl. Coarsely grate apples into bowl, tossing to coat with juice.

   Step 3

   Whisk flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in large bowl. Make well in center of dry ingredients. Whisk in milk, eggs, and 1/4 cup melted butter until smooth. Stir in apple mixture. Cover and let batter stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.

   Step 4

   Preheat oven to 250°F. Place baking sheet in oven. Heat heavy large nonstick griddle or skillet over medium-high heat 1 minute. Brush griddle with some of remaining 1/4 cup melted butter. For each pancake, drop 1 heaping tablespoon batter onto griddle, spacing pancakes apart. Cook until golden on bottom and bubbles start to form on surface, about 3 minutes. Turn pancakes over. Cook until golden on bottom, about 2 minutes longer. Transfer pancakes to baking sheet in oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter, brushing griddle with butter before each batch of pancakes.

3. Step 5

   Arrange pancakes on plates. Top each with dollop of cinnamon butter and serve.