- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup regular cream cheese spread (in tub; not whipped or block cream cheese)
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Simmer maple syrup and dried fruits in a saucepan, uncovered, until fruits are plumped, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in juice.
- Preheat oven to 250°F.
- Whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder and soda, sugar, and salt.
- Whisk together cream cheese and eggs in a large bowl and gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Add flour mixture and whisk until just combined.
- Heat a large griddle over moderate heat until hot enough to make drops of water scatter over its surface, then brush with some butter.
- Spoon tablespoons of batter onto griddle, without crowding, to form 2 1/2-inch cakes. Cook pancakes 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until golden and puffed. Transfer to a baking sheet and keep warm in oven. Make more pancakes in same manner, brushing griddle with butter for each batch.
- Serve pancakes in stacks with syrup.