Make memories for mom on her day

It?s true ? the kitchen is the heart of the home. Ever notice how people always gather there? Whether baking treats, making dinner or spending time with family and friends, the kitchen is my favorite place to be. Since my day job is Senior Culinary Specialist for the Nestl? Test Kitchens, you can bet I love to stir things up. This column lets me pass along to you some of my best recipes, tips and baking secrets.

Celebrate Mother?s Day with a fun gathering that gets your entire family together ?brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews ? and honors every mom. Family too far away? Gather your closest friends and their families and toast all moms present. Host a breakfast or brunch that?s easy for the kids help with in a big way.

Since breakfast in bed is a time-honored clich? to celebrate Mother?s Day, make it a breakfast-fest by serving pancakes sprinkled with chocolate mini morsels. Perfect for any choc-o-holic mom, these strawberry-topped pancakes are a hit with both young and young at heart. And they?re easy enough for kids to make and serve.

Planning will help make Mother?s Day memories everyone will cherish:

? Have kids use email to make invitations quick and easy.

? Kids can design a scrapbook of their favorite memories of Mom ? photos, souvenirs, funny things that she says.

? Set the table with bright colors; include a little potted flowering plant, such as an African violet, at each place setting for moms.

? Serve a fruit salad to enjoy while waiting for the junior chefs to deliver pancakes hot from the griddle.

? Have a camera handy to document the celebration.

? Let moms sit and relax over a cup of coffee while everyone else cleans up!

Making Mother?s Day memories starts in the kitchen, so check out sweet ideas for every season at www.VeryBestBaking.com.

Toll House Mini Morsel Pancakes

Makes about 18 pancakes

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup (6 ounces) Nestl? Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups milk

2 large eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

Powdered sugar

Strawberries

COMBINE flour, chocolate morsels, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Combine milk, eggs, vegetable oil and brown sugar in medium bowl; add to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter may be lumpy).

HEAT griddle or skillet over medium heat; brush lightly with vegetable oil. Pour 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle; cook until bubbles begin to burst. Turn; continue to cook about 1 minute longer or until golden. Repeat with remaining batter.

SPRINKLE pancakes with powdered sugar; top with strawberries.

Jenny Harper is Senior Culinary Specialist for the Nestl? Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com.