Italian Cream Pancakes

Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans and coconut in a single layer in a shallow pan 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.

Stir together flour and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk together buttermilk, next 3 ingredients, and 2 egg yolks in another bowl. Gradually stir buttermilk mixture into flour mixture just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in toasted pecans and coconut. Beat egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form; fold into batter.

Pour about 1/4 cup batter for each pancake onto a hot buttered griddle or large nonstick skillet. Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look dry and cooked. Turn and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until done. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet, and keep warm in a 200° oven up to 30 minutes. Serve with Cream Cheese Syrup.

Note: When using a griddle, heat it to 350°.

Tip: For tender pancakes, don't overmix the batter; it should be lumpy.