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This week I reached out for a short stack of New York Cheesecake pancakes -- you gotta a problem wit' dat? -- at America's coast-to-coast, 24-hour pancake house, IHOP.
IHOP is celebrating its 50th anniversary (founded in Toluca Lake, Calif., in 1958) by immortalizing a gaggle of states in super-spiked and lavishly topped buttermilk hotcakes. Eight states are being honored this summer with specially concocted flapjacks. It's called IHOP's Discover America lineup: California Strawberry Pancakes, Oregon Mixed Berry Pancakes, Kansas Carrot Cake Pancakes, Washington Apple Crisp Pancakes, New York Cheesecake Pancakes, Louisiana Bananas Foster Pancakes, Maine Blueberry Pancakes and Georgia Praline Peach Streusel Pancakes. Then there's one hotcake that represents all the leftover states: Red, White & Blueberry Pancakes. I don't see the connection between Kansas and carrot cake, but I got a D in geography, so what do I know? Here's the blueprint: two buttermilk pancakes loaded with chunks of real New York-style cheesecake, slathered with strawberry topping, a sprinkle of powdered sugar and whipped topping that tastes darn close to real-life whipped cream. I've grown to prefer whipped topping over whipped cream. It lasts longer. Total calories: 520 (for two pancakes). Fat grams: 21. Dietary fiber: 3 grams. Carbs: 74 grams. Manufacturer's suggested retail price: $4.99 for the pancakes, plus two eggs any style and crispy hash-brown potatoes. Sausage, bacon and ham are available for an extra charge. The calories and fat gram count do not include the eggs, hash browns, butter (totally unnecessary) or syrup With the price of gas keeping families at home this summer, at least your stomach can go on vacation for $5. New York Cheesecake Pancakes are a tribute to the Empire State. The ingredients are not from New York, however. But the recipe is authentic Big Apple -- the kind of hernia-causing, manhole-cover-size cheesecake you find on a twirling display in the window of a New York delicatessen or diner. It's a good thing that breakfast is served 24 hours at IHOP, because these New York Cheesecake Pancakes are sweeter than most diet-busting desserts. The cheesecake pieces are thick, gooey and incredibly rich. The texture is quite a contrast from IHOP's iconic buttermilk pancakes. Your mouth flips from flaky and grainy to smooth and creamy with one bite. Then comes the strawberry topping and the powdered sugar and whipped topping. This is breakfast? Maybe in Bizarro World, where up is down, down is up and dessert is served for breakfast. Traditional breakfast buffs looking for a kicky twist on IHOP pancakes, while staying safely within breakfast boundaries, will feel comfortable with Maine Blueberry or Oregon Mixed Berry Pancakes. Washington Apple Crisp and California Strawberry Pancakes are starting to push it. Georgia Praline Peach Streusel Pancakes are out of the question -- but pretty darn tasty. IHOP's Discover America pancakes are in restaurants through the summer. |
