For the Pancakes

1. If you plan to add grated apple to your pancake batter, peel, core, and grate the apple with a box grated or microplane for very small pieces. Melt the butter and set it aside. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the wheat flour, oat flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Then whisk to combine.
3. Make a well in the center and add the eggs, milk, any extract, and citrus zest. Using a whisk, begin with a small mixing motion to break up the eggs and mix them with just the liquid ingredients. Then broaden your strokes to bring the batter together until the large lumps are gone, but small ones remain. For gluten-free pancakes, mix until all the lumps are gone and the batter is smooth. Stir in the grated apple gently, if using. 
4. Preheat your pan or griddle to medium (370° F on a griddle). Scoop or pour your batter onto the pan into same-size circles and cook until bubbles break the surface. Then flip the pancake(s) and finish cooking on the second side, which will be faster than the first. You only need to flip pancakes once. If they are browning too quickly before the bubbles break through the center of the pancakes, turn down the heat a little.
5. Keep the first batches warm in a low-heat oven or warming drawer at around 200° F while you cook the rest. Covering the finished pancakes with foil will keep them from drying out in the oven.
6. Serve the apple pancakes with the caramelized apples on top, a little spiced whipped cream, and melted butter or maple syrup. 

For the Caramelized Apples

1. Core and slice your apples into quarter-inch pieces or dice them into cubes. If you like, spread brown or granulated sugar in a thin layer on a plate and dip one side of each apple in it. 
2. Heat a large sauté pan or griddle over medium-high heat.
3. Add as many apple slices to the pan as you can while maintaining one layer. You may need to work in batches in order to leave space between them. Otherwise, the moisture from the apples can't escape and they will steam each other instead of browning and caramelizing.
4. Cook the apples until the first side is a deep golden brown. Then flip the slices over or shake the pan to easily flip over diced apples. Caramelize the second side watching them carefully. Fight the urge to move the apples while they're cooking. This will prevent them from caramelizing.
5. Once all the apples are speckled a deep brown, turn the heat down to medium-low and add any earlier batches back to the pan.
6. Add the butter to the pan and gently swirl it to coat the apples.
7. Sprinkle the apples with the cinnamon and swirl again to mix it all together gently. You can add up to a stick of butter for a saucier caramelized apple compote.