Looking for a fun and festive breakfast idea? These Copycat IHOP Grinch Pancakes are the perfect choice! With their vibrant green color and delightful cream cheese icing glaze, these pancakes are sure to bring a smile to your face. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, hosting a brunch, or just looking to add a pop of color to your morning routine, these pancakes are a must-try.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Great Flavors: The combination of fluffy green pancakes, sweet cream cheese icing, and colorful candy hearts creates a delicious and whimsical dish.
- Easy to Make: Despite their festive appearance, these pancakes are surprisingly simple to whip up, making them ideal for busy mornings or special occasions.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: You can easily make a batch of these pancakes ahead of time and reheat them for a quick and festive breakfast throughout the week.
Ingredient Notes:
- Cream Cheese Icing Glaze: This creamy glaze adds a rich and tangy sweetness to the pancakes. Feel free to adjust the amount of powdered sugar for your desired level of sweetness.
- Green Whipped Cream: This fluffy topping adds a fun and festive touch to the pancakes. You can adjust the amount of powdered sugar and vanilla extract to suit your taste.
- Green Pancakes: The green color in these pancakes comes from food coloring. You can use gel or liquid food coloring to achieve the desired hue. Be sure to mix the batter well to evenly distribute the color.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Icing Glaze: In a bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Set aside.
- Make the Green Whipped Cream: Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and green food coloring until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Prepare the Green Pancakes: In a bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. In another bowl, mix egg, buttermilk, sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and green food coloring. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
- Cook the Pancakes: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and pour batter to form pancakes. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden brown.
- Assemble the Pancakes: Stack pancakes, top with cream cheese icing glaze, green whipped cream, and candy hearts.
Helpful Tips:
- For a healthier option, use whole wheat flour or a gluten-free flour blend.
- To make ahead, store the pancakes and toppings separately and assemble just before serving.
- Experiment with different food coloring shades for a unique look.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Be sure not to overmix the pancake batter to avoid a tough texture.
- Use a non-stick skillet to ensure even cooking and easy flipping.
- Adjust the sweetness of the cream cheese icing and whipped cream to suit your taste preferences.
Serving Suggestions:
These Grinch Pancakes pair well with fresh fruit, crispy bacon, or a warm cup of coffee. For a complete festive meal, serve with a side of scrambled eggs and orange juice.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Store any leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply warm in the microwave or toaster oven until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use a pancake mix instead of making the batter from scratch? Yes, you can use a store-bought pancake mix and add green food coloring to achieve the same effect.
- Can I freeze the pancakes for later? Yes, you can freeze the cooked pancakes and reheat them in the toaster for a quick breakfast option.
- Can I omit the cream cheese icing glaze? If you prefer a lighter topping, you can skip the cream cheese icing and just use the green whipped cream and candy hearts for decoration.
Conclusion:
These Copycat IHOP Grinch Pancakes are a fun and festive twist on a classic breakfast favorite. Whether you’re a fan of the holiday season or just looking to add some color to your morning routine, these pancakes are sure to delight. Give them a try and enjoy a whimsical and delicious breakfast experience!
Print
Copycat IHOP Grinch Pancakes
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Copycat IHOP Grinch pancakes are a festive and delicious treat perfect for Christmas morning. The green pancakes are topped with a creamy cream cheese icing glaze and whimsical green whipped cream, finished with candy hearts for a fun touch.
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Icing Glaze:
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3–5 tablespoons milk
Green Whipped Cream:
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, sifted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
Green Pancakes:
- 1–¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1–¼ cups buttermilk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
Candy Hearts:
- Small red heart candies or jumbo red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Make Cream Cheese Icing Glaze: In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, mix until smooth.
- Make Green Whipped Cream: In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and green food coloring, continue to whip until stiff peaks form.
- Make Green Pancakes: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. In another bowl, mix egg, buttermilk, sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and green food coloring. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
- Cook Pancakes: Heat a griddle over medium heat. Pour ¼ cup batter for each pancake, cook until bubbles form, flip and cook until golden.
- Assemble: Stack pancakes, top with cream cheese icing glaze, green whipped cream, and candy hearts.
Notes
- Adjust the intensity of the green color in the pancakes and whipped cream to your preference.
- You can use any desired toppings or additional decorations to customize these pancakes further.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pancake stack
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg