1 Prepare the cinnamon filling: Before you start, keep in mind that you're looking to get the cinnamon mixture to a thick, "toothpaste-like" consistency. Mix the cinnamon filling ingredients in a small pan over low heat, or heat in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Just melt the butter and mix in the sugar and spices. The mixture will be pretty liquidy at first, but the longer it sits at room temperature- it will begin to turn into that thick texture that you need for swirling. Prepare this first, and then scrape it into a zip baggie and let it sit on the counter. Squish the bag around once in a while to re-incorporate the butter.

2 Prepare the icing: Mix icing ingredients in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low until the butter and cream cheese are melted. Whisk the ingredients together until smooth. Set aside until your pancakes are ready to serve.

3 Prepare the pancake batter: In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, applesauce, coffee, molasses, water and egg. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining (dry) ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until everything is combined.

4 Check on your cinnamon filling. If it has turned into that nice, thick consistency that you need (see photo above), you're ready to make your pancakes! Preheat a large skillet or griddle to medium heat and spray it with nonstick spray. Scoop a 1/2 cup-full of batter into the skillet and use the bottom of the cup to spread it into a round shape. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the pancake cook while you cut a tiny piece off of the corner of your cinnamon swirl baggie, swish it around to combine the ingredients one last time and then squeeze the baggie to make a swirl on the pancake- starting in the center and swirling out. Cook the pancake 3 minutes or so, until the pancake begins to show popping bubbles toward the edges. Using a thin spatula, gently wiggle it under the pancake and carefully, but quickly flip it over. Some of the cinnamon swirl may spill out and mess up your pan a little bit, but don't worry about that. Cook the pancake for a minute or two on the other side and then remove it to a plate, flipping it over so the cinnamon-swirl is on top.

5 Drizzle some of the icing on top of the pancake and serve immediately. Remember, each pancake is as decadent and delicious as eating a cinnamon roll... so one or two is plenty per serving! Wipe out the pan with a paper towel, then repeat making the pancakes with the remaining ingredients.

6 *Follow all of the directions carefully, observe the photographs, and your pancakes should come out just fine! The batter is slightly thick (it's supposed to be that way)- if you let the pancake cook for a minute and then swirl in that "toothpaste-consistency" cinnamon swirl, and carefully flip it over- all should be successful with your pancakes!