Nutella is seeking to shine a light on those who support their local communities through “Stacks for Giving Back,” a program to help local firehouses nationwide take their iconic pancake breakfast fundraisers to the next level.
Fire departments face many challenges in affording equipment, recruiting and retaining firefighters, and keeping up with high-pressure demands due to increasing call volume, new training requirements, and more. With their strong ties to the local community and food culture, firefighters are often bonded through shared meals, including pancake breakfasts. Nutella hopes to honor and celebrate all that firefighters do by providing them with the materials and tasty products they need to host their next community pancake breakfast fundraiser. Now through March 22, consumers can nominate their local fire departments for a chance to receive a Nutella Pancake Breakfast Kit that can be used to support their next fundraiser, inclusive of a branded apron, spatula, batter dispenser, jars of Nutella, Krusteaz pancake mix, and more.
“Nutella is all about bringing people, families, and communities together, and we’re proud to use our spread for good to support local fire departments who dedicate their lives to keeping communities safe,” said Noah Szporn, Senior Vice President of Spreads, Ferrero North America. “We look forward to celebrating pancake season in this important new way and seeing all of the firehouse nominations.”
To inspire participation in “Stacks for Giving Back,” Nutella has teamed up with celebrity chef, cookbook author, and television personality Alex Guarnaschelli to encourage nationwide pancake enthusiasts to support their local firehouse communities and top their fluffy stacks with the beloved hazelnut spread. To spread her love for Nutella and firefighters, Alex developed a special recipe, Soufflé Pancakes with Nutella, for firefighters to create at their next pancake breakfasts and for fans to recreate at home.
“Pancakes are a breakfast staple in my household, and as a family, we’re always looking for new and tasty ways to up our pancake game, which is why I’m thrilled to be partnering with one of my favorite brands, Nutella, to create a new spin on pancakes and support firefighters across the country,” said Alex Guarnaschelli. “Pancakes are better with Nutella, and my new Soufflé Pancakes with Nutella recipe takes tastebuds to a whole new level. Folding an egg white into the batter gets these pancakes super fluffy then once they’re done, top them with Nutella and fresh raspberries… absolutely delicious!”
Nutella has also partnered with the National Volunteer Fire Council, a non-profit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services, to award $5,000 grants to five deserving volunteer fire departments. Volunteer fire organizations may apply for a $5,000 grant from Nutella at NVFC.org through March 22.
“Volunteer fire departments are the backbone of their communities. It is the NVFC’s mission to support our nation’s firefighters, and we’re thankful to partners like Nutella for helping us honor their service and provide much-needed funding for critical resources, like new gear and equipment, that enable firefighters to respond to emergencies safely and effectively,” said NVFC Chair, Steve Hirsch.
To learn more about “Stacks for Giving Back” and nominate your local firehouse, head to NutellaStacksforGivingBack.com. Share your love of Nutella on pancakes this pancake season, and spread the love for your local firehouse using the hashtag #StacksForGivingBack.
Soufflé Pancakes With Nutella
Ingredients:
• 1-1/2 cups full-fat buttermilk
• ½ stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 large egg whites
• ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
• Nonstick spray
• 2-3 tablespoons Nutella
Cook time: 8-9 minutes per batch
Yield: 4 cups batter: 8-9 pancakes, serves 3-4
Equipment: circle mold/cookie cutter, 3 – 3-1/2 inches in diameter
Instructions:
1. Start the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, butter, vanilla, salt, and egg yolk. Sift the flour, sugar, and baking powder over the wet ingredients and whisk to combine.
2. Preheat oven to 300F.
3. Add the egg whites: In the clean bowl of the electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form, 4-5 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whites into the batter. Don’t mix a lot. There should be streaks of egg white that are not fully combined. The key is to mix as little as possible and keep the whites fluffy.
4. Start the pancakes: Heat a large skillet with a fitted lid over low heat and spray with nonstick spray. Spray the inside of a (3 to 3-1/2 inch in diameter) ring mold with spray. Place the ring mold on one side of the skillet. Using a ½-cup measure full of batter, fill the mold with the batter. Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Gently remove the ring. Turn the pancake on its second side and let it cook for 3 to 4 additional minutes.
5. Pancake: Clean and spray the ring and make a new pancake some distance from the first. Repeat and start a third one. Cook each pancake for 4 minutes on the first side or until they brown and an additional 4 minutes. Spread a generous teaspoon of Nutella on the center of the pancake.
6. Storing and serving: Keep the pancakes warm on a baking sheet in the oven. Arrange on a serving platter.