TRADER JOE'S PUMPKIN PANCAKE AND WAFFLE MIX

On those mornings when making pancake batter from scratch seems about as probable as counting the bricks in the Great Wall of China, most of us either (a) go out to Ye Old Local Greasy Spoon for a short stack (not that we have anything against greasy spoons) or (b) reach for the pancake mix. Femme de Joie and Amico del Signore have tried just about every one of the commercial pancake/waffle mixes that don't have scary ingredient lists. Some of them are better than others - Aunt Jemima's Buttermilk and Krusteaz Belgian Waffle mixes are pretty good, as is Lund's Swedish Pancake Mix.

Trader Joe's is carrying a seasonal specialty, Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix. With cinnamon and nutmeg, it smells like pumpkin bread in the waffle iron and tastes like a soft pumpkin cookie. Try it with Trader Joe's Maple Syrup and some sauteed apples or pears. For even more pumpkin, spread a spoonful of Trader Joe's Pumpkin Butter over your pancakes or waffles.

Trader Joe's Pumpkin and Waffle Mix, 21.2 ounces, $2.99.