Description
Gingerbread pancakes are fluffy, spiced pancakes infused with molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and warm holiday spices perfect for festive breakfasts or cozy weekend mornings. Easily made gluten-free or vegan.
Ingredients
For the Pancake Batter:
– 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
– ¼ cup (80g) molasses (not blackstrap for milder flavor)
– 2 tbsp light brown sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 2 cups (480ml) buttermilk
– 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
– 2 tsp baking powder
– ½ tsp baking soda
– ¼ tsp kosher salt
– 2 tsp ground ginger
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– ¼ tsp ground cloves
– ¼ tsp ground allspice
For Serving:
– Butter, for cooking and topping
– Pure maple syrup
– Chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly brush with melted butter.
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, molasses, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, and buttermilk until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined—do not overmix.
- For each pancake, pour ¼ cup batter onto the hot skillet.
- Cook 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Add more butter to the skillet between batches if needed.
- Serve immediately with butter, maple syrup, and chopped pecans.
Notes
– Fresh spices make a difference replace if older than 6 months.
– Don’t overmix lumps are fine; overmixing causes tough pancakes.
– Gluten-free: Use 1:1 certified gluten-free flour blend.
– Vegan option: Use flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 2.5 tbsp water), plant-based butter, and dairy-free buttermilk (1¾ cup plant milk + 1 tbsp vinegar).
– Buttermilk substitute: Mix 2 cups milk + 2 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar; let sit 5 minutes.
– Keep pancakes warm: Place on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven while cooking batches.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American (Holiday-inspired)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 pancakes (with 1 tbsp butter + 2 tbsp maple syrup)
- Calories: ~420
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 70mg