If you’re looking for a truly magical breakfast to kick off the holiday season, these Christmas Pancakes are the answer! Each fluffy, cinnamon-and-nutmeg-scented bite tastes like a warm hug on a snowy morning. With their festive colors and toppings, they’ll light up any holiday table and bring smiles to kids and adults alike. Whether you’re making them for Christmas morning, a December brunch, or simply to spread a little extra cheer, these pancakes always deliver on comfort and fun.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Christmas Pancakes lies in their simple ingredients, each one playing a special role in creating that classic, irresistible flavor and tender texture. Gather these essentials, and you’ll be surprised how a few pantry staples transform into a holiday treat!
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for fluffy pancakes, providing structure and lift.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just a hint of sweetness to balance the spices and toppings.
- Baking powder: Gives these pancakes a beautiful rise and lightness.
- Baking soda: Works with the buttermilk to create extra tenderness and fluff.
- Salt: A small amount sharpens the flavors and keeps the pancakes from tasting flat.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses the batter with cozy warmth and classic holiday spice.
- Ground nutmeg: Just a touch brings a subtle, festive aroma that makes these pancakes special.
- Buttermilk: Adds tang and moisture, making every bite extra soft and flavorful.
- Large eggs: Binds everything together and helps the pancakes puff up beautifully.
- Melted butter (plus more for the pan): Rich flavor and moist crumb, with extra for that perfect golden-brown finish.
- Pure vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla deepens the holiday flavor profile.
- Red and green food coloring (optional): For that eye-catching Christmas Pancakes look—great for kids and the young at heart!
- Whipped cream: A fluffy, creamy finish that feels like snow atop your stack.
- Powdered sugar: Sprinkled on top for a snowy, magical effect.
- Festive sprinkles for topping: The finishing touch that makes these pancakes sparkle with holiday spirit.
How to Make Christmas Pancakes
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl. This dry blend is the secret to those fluffy, flavorful Christmas Pancakes, so be sure everything is evenly combined for the best texture.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully blended. The buttermilk’s tang and the butter’s richness will give your pancakes an irresistible taste, while the eggs ensure everything holds together perfectly.
Step 3: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. It’s okay if the batter is a little lumpy—overmixing can make the pancakes tough, and we want them light and airy! If you’re feeling festive, divide the batter into two or three bowls and stir in red and green food coloring for that signature Christmas Pancakes look.
Step 4: Cook the Pancakes
Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium and brush with melted butter. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the pan. Cook until tiny bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to look set, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook another 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more butter to the pan as needed.
Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches
Serve your Christmas Pancakes warm, topped with clouds of whipped cream, a dusting of powdered sugar, and a generous sprinkle of festive sprinkles. These little extras turn breakfast into a holiday event!
How to Serve Christmas Pancakes
Garnishes
The magic is in the toppings! Add dollops of whipped cream, a flurry of powdered sugar, and a generous shower of red and green sprinkles for a truly festive presentation. If you want to go all out, try a drizzle of maple syrup or a scattering of mini chocolate chips for that extra holiday sparkle.
Side Dishes
Pair your Christmas Pancakes with crispy bacon, breakfast sausage, or a bowl of fresh berries to balance out the sweetness. A mug of hot cocoa or spiced chai makes the whole meal feel like a celebration from the very first bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your Christmas Pancakes the star of the show by cooking them in holiday-shaped cookie cutters—think stars, trees, or snowflakes! Stack pancakes in alternating colors or create a “pancake tree” by arranging them in a triangle and decorating with fruit and sprinkles. The brighter and more playful, the better!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Christmas Pancakes, let them cool completely, then layer them between sheets of parchment and store in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to three days, ready for a quick breakfast or snack.
Freezing
Want to get a jump on holiday prep? Christmas Pancakes freeze beautifully! Lay them flat on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to two months—perfect for making breakfast magic on busy December mornings.
Reheating
To reheat, simply pop pancakes into the toaster or warm them in a skillet over medium-low heat for a few minutes. For larger batches, arrange on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and heat in a 350°F oven until warmed through. Add your toppings right before serving to keep everything fresh and festive.
FAQs
Can I make these Christmas Pancakes without food coloring?
Absolutely! The pancakes will still taste wonderfully festive thanks to the spices and toppings. The food coloring is just for visual flair, so skip it if you prefer a more natural look or want to avoid artificial colors.
What can I use if I don’t have buttermilk?
No buttermilk? No problem! Mix 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice into 1 1/4 cups of regular milk, let it sit for 5 minutes, and use it as a homemade substitute. Your Christmas Pancakes will still turn out beautifully tender and flavorful.
Can I add mix-ins to the batter?
Definitely! Stir in mini chocolate chips, crushed peppermint candies, or even chopped nuts for extra flavor and texture. Just be careful not to overload the batter so the pancakes stay light and fluffy.
How do I keep pancakes warm for a crowd?
Keep finished pancakes warm by placing them on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven while you cook the rest. This way, everyone can enjoy hot, fresh Christmas Pancakes at the same time, and you’ll keep the holiday magic going strong.
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
For the best results, mix the dry and wet ingredients separately and combine them just before cooking. If you need to prep ahead, you can refrigerate the mixed batter for up to 8 hours, but give it a quick stir before cooking as it may thicken slightly.
Final Thoughts
These Christmas Pancakes are guaranteed to bring a little extra cheer to your holiday mornings. Whip them up for family, friends, or just yourself, and watch smiles spread as each colorful, cinnamon-scented stack disappears. Give them a try—you’ll want to make them part of your festive traditions for years to come!
Print
Christmas Pancakes Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate the holiday season with these festive Christmas Pancakes, bursting with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and beautifully tinted in red and green. These fluffy pancakes are perfect for a cozy holiday breakfast, topped with whipped cream, powdered sugar, and colorful sprinkles to bring cheer to your table.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (plus more for the pan)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Red and green food coloring (optional)
Toppings
- Whipped cream
- Powdered sugar
- Festive sprinkles
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly combined.
- Combine wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the pancakes fluffy with some small lumps remaining.
- Add color to batter. If desired, divide the batter into two or three bowls and tint each portion with red or green food coloring to create festive colored pancakes.
- Heat the skillet. Warm a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter to prevent sticking.
- Cook pancakes. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the skillet. Cook until bubbles start to form on the surface and edges look set, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve warm. Stack the pancakes and top with whipped cream, a dusting of powdered sugar, and festive sprinkles for a cheerful holiday presentation.
Notes
- For extra holiday flair, use cookie cutters to shape the pancakes while cooking.
- Add mini chocolate chips or crushed peppermint candies to the batter for added festive flavor.
- If buttermilk is unavailable, substitute with regular milk plus 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to mimic the acidity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pancakes
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
