Looking for a unique food gift for a diabetic? Check out this idea. It is great for holiday gifts, birthday gifts, housewarmings, hostess gifts, etc. Enhance for the occasion by the type of jar, basket, ribbon, etc you choose. Trust me, your diabetic friend will be surprised and thrilled by your thoughtfulness.

VANILLA BEAN PANCAKE GIFT SET

Combine the following items and put in a special jar or zip-lock type bag:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup Splenda

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

If using a jar, cut a round piece of parchment paper or a round piece of pretty fabric and put over the jar seal before adding ring. Tie a pretty ribbon around the ring. Attach a vanilla bean to the bow. If using a zip bag, place vanilla bean inside the top of the bag before zipping.

Attach the following recipe on a cute recipe card or note card:

To make pancakes, place the dry ingredients from the jar (or bag) into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the ingredients. Split vanilla bean and scrape seeds into a small mixing bowl. Whisk in 2 cups milk, 2 tablespoons canola oil and 1 large egg, lightly beaten, just until blended.

Lightly grease a griddle and heat. When griddle is hot, pour batter onto griddle using 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. Cook until tops are bubbly. Turn pancakes and cook until done.

Yield: 12 pancakes

To make your gift even more special, add a small bottle of sugar-free syrup and/or a pancake mold.

Variation #1: Add 1/4 cup chopped walnuts to the mixture in the bag or jar for Walnut-Vanilla Bean Pancake Mix Gift Set. Walnuts are a healthy addition to the pancakes. (If you do not like walnuts, use pecans. However, walnuts are healthier overall than pecans.)

Variation #2: Add 1/3 cup dried blueberries to the mixture in the bag or jar for Blueberry-Vanilla Bean Pancake Mix Gift Set. Blueberries are one of nature's healthiest foods and are therefore an excellent addition to pancakes.

Variation #3: Add two tablespoons of orange juice to the batter and lessen the milk by two tablespoons for Orange-Vanilla Bean Pancake Gift Set.

Note: This does not have to be given as a gift. It is a good pancake recipe to use when you have overnight guests with diabetics among them. Use variations to suit your guests tastes. Serve with bacon or sausage to add protein to your meal.