Start the day with a better-for-you breakfast

United Dairy Industry of Michigan

Family Features - Whether you're encouraging loved ones to start a new wellness kick or looking to add new ideas to an already-nutritious menu, families at any stage of a journey toward better health can use newfound favorites to bring fresh flavors to the table.

Start by ramping up your family's breakfast with these slightly sweet Mini Greek Yogurt Pancakes with Cinnamon-Maple Topping for a protein-packed way to start the day with a healthy addition of fresh berries. This dish from Milk Means More provides a delicious breakfast that allows you to bring everyone together for a tasty, nutritious meal no matter the occasion. Dairy foods, like the low-fat or fat-free milk and yogurt found in this recipe, are fundamental to good nutrition.

Constructing a better-for-you menu calls for a balanced diet with a variety of foods to get essential nutrients. This balance is important for maintaining healthy gut and immune function while optimizing overall wellness.

Find additional better-for-you recipe inspiration at MilkMeansMore.org.

Recipe
Mini Greek Yogurt Pancakes
with Cinnamon-Maple Topping
Recipe courtesy of Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN, culinary dietitian, on behalf of Milk Means More

Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6

Topping:
1 3/4 cups plain Greek yogurt (fat free, 2% or 5%)
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pancakes:
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (fat free, 2% or 5%)
1/2 cup milk (skim, 2% or whole)
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-3 tablespoons oil
1 cup fresh blueberries or chopped fresh strawberries

To make topping: Stir yogurt, syrup and cinnamon. Cover and refrigerate.

To make pancakes: In mixing bowl, stir flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In separate bowl, whisk egg, yogurt, milk, butter and vanilla. Add yogurt mixture to flour mixture. Stir just until combined (batter should be slightly lumpy).

Scrape batter into large plastic food storage bag. Oil nonstick griddle or large nonstick skillet. Heat over medium heat. Cut off about 1/2 inch from corner of plastic bag. Squeeze batter, about 1 tablespoon at a time, onto hot griddle. Cook 1-2 minutes per side, or until pancakes are golden brown, turning to second sides when bubbles form on surface of pancakes and edges are slightly dry.

Serve warm pancakes topped with cinnamon-maple yogurt and sprinkled with berries.

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Recipe | Breakfast Brunch Board

Family Features - Few things go together like the weekend and brunch. Whether that means gathering with family, friends or a combination of both, it's the perfect time to slow down and bring your loved ones together for a lighthearted meal.

Catering to a variety of different palates requires a diverse menu of dishes ranging from fresh fruit and baked goods to proteins and more. A key ingredient to bring any spread together: Envy apples, which are a natural cross between Braeburn and Royal Gala apples.

With their beautifully balanced sweetness, uplifting fresh aroma, delightfully satisfying crunch and bright red skin that sometimes features a golden blush, they can be served fresh or paired with other brunch favorites in shareable dishes like the Brunch Board with a Twist. Plus, their naturally white flesh doesn't brown as quickly as other apples, making them easy to savor while enjoying time with loved ones.

Find sweet brunch recipe inspiration at EnvyApple.com.

Brunch Board with a Twist

2 Envy Apples, sliced

boiled eggs, halved

cooked bacon

bananas, sliced

berries

miniature pancakes

edible flowers, for garnish

2-3 Envy Apples, for garnish

On breakfast platter, artfully arrange sliced apple, halved boiled eggs, bacon, bananas, berries and pancakes. Garnish with edible flowers and whole apples.

Food | Breakfast treat: Easy to make cherry coffee cake

(Family Features) There is nothing better than tasty pastry treat to go along with your morning coffee or hot chocolate. You can add some sweetness to your breakfast routine with this no fuss, no mess recipe. This delicious, easy-to-make Cherry Coffee Cake can be served for dessert, too. Just add ice cream or whipped cream on top to make that food coma even more enjoyable.

What's great about this recipe is it requires almost no prep time and requires just three ingredients. Throw it together, pop it in the oven and it's ready by the time you've finished your morning shower. How easy is this to make? Check out the video. Find more breakfast recipes like this at Culinary.net.

Cherry Coffee Cake

Here's what you will need:

Nonstick cooking spray
1 can (12.4 ounces) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
1 1/2 cups (21-ounce can) cherry pie filling
1/2 cup slivered almonds or pecans (optional)
Now put it all together: First, heat your oven to 375º F. Spray 9-inch round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Next, separate cinnamon roll dough into eight rolls. Cut each roll into quarters and place dough rounded-side down in pan.

Spoon pie filling over rolls. Then sprinkle almond slivers or pecans over cherry filling, if desired.

Depending on your oven bake between 25-35 minutes, or until golden brown.

While still warm, placed a plate or cutting board over the pan and flip so that the pastry fall out. Place your serving plate on top of the upside down rolls and invert again.

Remove lid from icing and microwave the contents for 3-10 seconds until the mixture is creamy. Stir icing and drizzle over warm coffee cake.

Serve warm.

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Did you try this recipe? Tell us in the comment section below how it went for you.