Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun and festive: A delightful way to celebrate the holiday spirit.
- Easy to make: Simple ingredients and steps for a family-friendly breakfast.
- Customizable: Decorate with your favorite sprinkles, candies, or even icing!
- Perfect for kids: A creative way to engage children in the kitchen.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- Green food coloring
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Sprinkles or mini candies, for decoration
- Maple syrup, for serving
Directions
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and melted butter until smooth. Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Add green food coloring, mixing until you achieve your desired shade of green.
- Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Pour small amounts of batter to form pancakes of varying sizes, from large to small. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden.
- Stack the pancakes, starting with the largest at the bottom and ending with the smallest at the top, to create a tree shape.
- Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect and decorate with sprinkles or mini candies to resemble ornaments.
- Serve with maple syrup and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Variations
- Gluten-free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Vegan: Use plant-based milk, an egg substitute like flaxseed meal, and vegan butter.
- Flavor twist: Add a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract for extra flavor.
- Themed colors: Skip the green and try red for Valentine’s Day or pastel shades for spring.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Place leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm pancakes in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave for 15–20 seconds. Avoid reheating with decorations to keep them intact.
FAQs
1. Can I make the batter ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the batter a few hours in advance and refrigerate it. Stir before cooking.
2. How do I make these pancakes fluffier?
Ensure you don’t overmix the batter, and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before cooking.
3. Can I freeze the pancakes?
Absolutely! Place cooled pancakes in a freezer-safe bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 2 months.
4. What can I use instead of food coloring?
Spinach puree or matcha powder can be natural alternatives for green coloring.
5. Can I use pancake mix instead of making from scratch?
Yes, you can use a pancake mix and follow the directions for adding wet ingredients and coloring.
6. How do I prevent pancakes from sticking to the pan?
Use a non-stick skillet and lightly grease it with butter or oil before each batch.
7. Are these pancakes sweet enough on their own?
They have a mild sweetness, but toppings like maple syrup and sprinkles enhance the flavor.
8. Can I double the recipe?
Certainly! Simply double the ingredients and ensure you have a large enough bowl and skillet.
9. What other decorations can I use?
Try whipped cream for snow, chocolate chips for ornaments, or even edible glitter for sparkle.
10. Can I serve these without stacking them?
Of course! Arrange them on a plate and let everyone decorate their own pancakes.
Conclusion
Christmas Tree Pancakes are a charming and delicious way to celebrate the holidays with your loved ones. Easy to make and endlessly customizable, they’re sure to become a cherished tradition. Gather your ingredients, get creative with decorations, and make this festive treat the centerpiece of your holiday breakfast table.
Christmas Tree Pancakes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Create a whimsical holiday breakfast with these festive Christmas Tree Pancakes! Easy to make and perfect for kids, this recipe lets you decorate adorable pancake “trees” with sprinkles and candies. A delicious and magical way to celebrate Christmas morning!
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- Green food coloring
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Sprinkles or mini candies, for decoration
- Maple syrup, for serving
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Whisk together milk, egg, and melted butter in a separate bowl. Gradually incorporate wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Stir in green food coloring to achieve the desired shade.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Pour batter into circles of varying sizes and cook until bubbles form. Flip and cook until golden.
- Stack pancakes from largest to smallest to create a tree shape.
- Dust with powdered sugar and decorate with sprinkles or candies.
- Serve with maple syrup and enjoy!
Notes
- Rest the batter for 5–10 minutes to enhance fluffiness.
- To make naturally green pancakes, use spinach puree or matcha powder instead of food coloring.
- For a themed twist, try different colors for other holidays!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
