If you’re going out for brunch, you’re sure to find pancakes, waffles and French toast on the menu in complex choices like lemon creme poppyseed waffles and honey-orange custard French toast. Unfortunately, these delicious combinations seem to live solely in brunch restaurants that break the bank for college students. However, with just a few minutes of extra hacking at the dining hall, you can transform Crossroads’ waffles into fruit-filled parfait waffles or Cafe 3’s French toast into cream cheese French toast with caramelized bananas. A gourmet brunch for only six meal points? Yes please.
Fruit-filled Parfait Pancakes (or Waffles)
Photo by Irene Kim
The yogurt keeps the pancakes/waffles moist and adds a creamy tanginess that compliments the main dish, while the fruit adds a bright, refreshing note to balance out the doughy, creamy richness.
Spoon speed tip: Obtain the ingredients in the order listed below, and build this dish as you go from ingredient to ingredient—the dish will be ready to eat by the time you sit down.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Ingredients:
Photo by Irene Kim
2 pancakes or waffle quarters
Plain yogurt (located near the fruit section/deli section)
Honey (found near the tea/coffee stations)
Your favorite fruit (strawberries/blueberries/oranges/pineapples) (found in the fruit section)
Granola (from the cereal section or the oatmeal station)
Whipped Cream (from the waffle station)
Syrup (from the waffle station or next to where pancakes are served)
Directions:
1. Spoon the yogurt and honey onto the first pancake/waffle quarter.
2. Layer your fruit on top of the yogurt (save one or two pieces for garnish).
Photo by Irene Kim
3. Sprinkle half of the granola and drizzle with syrup (to make sure there’s crunch and sweetness with every bite).
4. Place the second pancake/waffle quarter on top, and finish with the whipped cream, your last piece of fruit, a healthy dose of more syrup and the rest of the granola.
Photo by Irene Kim
5. Enjoy.
Photo by Irene Kim
Cream Cheese French Toast with “Caramelized” Bananas
Photo by Irene Kim
This hack is a play on Bananas Foster, combining thick and rich cream cheese and “caramelized” bananas to make a decadent start to your day.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Ingredients:
Photo by Irene Kim
1 slice French toast
Cream cheese (located near the bread/bagel section)
1 banana
Brown sugar in a separate bowl (from the oatmeal station)
Nuts/Granola (from the oatmeal station)
Cinnamon (from the oatmeal station)
Syrup
Directions:
1. Cut the French toast in half (either down the middle or diagonally).
2. Spread the cream cheese onto one half of the French toast (or both for a super rich version).
Photo by Irene Kim
3. Slice your bananas into thick pieces and mix with the brown sugar. The moisture in the bananas will dissolve the brown sugar, and the resulting brown sugar syrup will coat the bananas, making them look and taste caramelized.
Photo by Irene Kim
4. Spoon the “caramelized” bananas on top of the cream cheese, and drizzle a spoonful of syrup on top of the bananas.
Photo by Irene Kim
5. Sprinkle with the nuts/granola and cinnamon (for texture and spice).
6. Place the other half of French toast on top, drizzle with syrup, and enjoy.
Photo by Irene Kim
7. Optional: Add a dollop of whipped cream, a few more slices of bananas, and another sprinkle of nuts/granola on top for a restaurant-worthy presentation.
Photo by Irene Kim