Gingerbread Pancakes

When exactly does a holiday tradition become just that: tradition? Is it simply a matter of repeating an activity more than once? If yes, I vote we make these Gingerbread Pancakes on repeat!

Thick, fluffy pancakes spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, then smothered in a holiday-appropriate maple cream cheese drizzle, these homemade gingerbread pancakes are everything a winter morning should be: cozy, sweet, and best enjoyed in pajamas.

Dibs on the last gingerbread pancake if the pajamas have feet!

They’re comfort and warmth in pancake form.

Their delightful gingerbread flavor comes from the combination of brewed coffee, dark brown sugar, and classic winter spices.

Their sky-high height and fluffy texture are thanks to the addition of buttermilk.

Enjoy them as they are, or add a dollop of the sweet and tangy maple cream cheese topping for a truly out-of-this-world breakfast experience!

While these easy gingerbread pancakes certainly step into the spotlight during the holidays, I petition that we find ways to include them in our breakfast routine all winter long (I’ve even shared a few variations below for inspiration).

No matter how you serve these tasty little gingerbread beauties, I know they’ll be a hit!

How to Make Gingerbread Pancakes

When I think of a special holiday breakfast, it’s hard to imagine a better choice than these easy gingerbread pancakes.

The Ingredients

• White Whole Wheat Flour. To make these somewhat healthy gingerbread pancakes, I opted to use white whole wheat flour. The swap is imperceptible, but it helps boost the fiber and protein content. Translation: you can feel great about that third (or fourth) pancake you’ll be craving!

• Dark Brown Sugar. To channel that classic gingerbread flavor, I used dark brown sugar for sweetness. It also helps make the pancakes ultra moist.
• Buttermilk. The key to deliciously tender and fluffy pancakes.
• Coffee. I wanted to make gingerbread pancakes no molasses, because I found that molasses made the pancakes too dense and heavy. To create the same rich gingerbread flavor, I added a bit of brewed coffee to the batter. You can’t actually taste the coffee, but it gives the pancakes just the depth I was seeking.
• Spices. The classic winter spice crew! A mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves gives these pancakes the ideal gingerbread-like flavor.
• Butter. For richness and fabulous flavor.
• Maple Cream Cheese Topping. The icing on the (pan)cake! The maple cream cheese topping is sweet, tangy, and absolutely scrumptious.

The Directions

1. Whisk the eggs and sugar together, then stir in the buttermilk and coffee.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Add the butter.
3. Cook your desired size of pancakes in a skillet over medium-low heat. Repeat until all the batter is gone.
4. Prepare the maple cream cheese topping. Serve the pancakes with the topping and DIG IN!

Storage Tips

• To Store. Refrigerate leftover pancakes in an airtight storage container for up to 2 days. 
• To Reheat. Reheat pancakes gently in the toaster or microwave. 
• To Freeze. Freeze pancakes in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in the toaster, or thaw overnight in the refrigerator before microwaving. 

What to Serve with Gingerbread Pancakes

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Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

• Griddle. Perfect for making gingerbread pancakes.
• Small Whisk. So much easier to use than larger-sized whisks.
• Mixing Bowls. This set of glass mixing bowls has every size you need.

The Griddle That Does It All

This little appliance can act as a griddle, panini press, and grill. It can help you prepare everything from a Breakfast Burger to gingerbread pancakes.

Get on AMazon

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These gingerbread pancakes have become a beloved holiday tradition in our household, and I hope they bring you and your family just as much joy!

Review Save Recipe SavedPrint

Gingerbread Pancakes

4.75 from 4 votes

Soft, fluffy Gingerbread Pancakes with Maple Cream Cheese Topping. Tastes just like a gingerbread cookie! Easy recipe that’s perfect for holiday mornings.

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Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Total: 30 mins

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Servings: 4 large or 8 smaller pancakes

Review Save Recipe SavedPrint

Ingredients

  

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For the Gingerbread Pancakes:

• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar or light brown
• 1 cup low fat buttermilk
• 1/4 cup brewed coffee cooled to room temperature
• 1 2/3 cup white whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled

For the Maple Cream Cheese Topping:

• 6 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese softened to room temperature
• 3 tablespoons nonfat plain Greek yogurt or vanilla Greek yogurt
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup plus additional to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2-4 tablespoons skim milk

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Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and brown sugar until well combined. Stir in the buttermilk and coffee.
• In a separate large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir gently, just until combined. You will have some lumps remaining. Stir in the melted butter.
• If you'd like to keep different batches of pancakes warm, preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Heat a griddle or sturdy skillet over medium-low heat. Coat the skillet with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking, then ladle 1/2 cup batter (for large pancakes) or 1/4 cup batter (for smaller pancakes) into the pan and begin cooking. Because these pancakes are whole wheat, they cook more slowly. Flip when the edges of the pancake are no longer shiny and some bubbling forms on top, about 4-5 minutes for large pancakes or 2-3 for smaller ones. Continue cooking on the other side for 1 to 2 minutes more. Serve the cooked pancakes immediately or keep warm in the oven. Repeat with remaining pancakes.
• For the maple cream cheese topping:  In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and Greek yogurt on medium speed until well combined, about 2 minutes. Add the Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla and mix again. Add 2 tablespoons milk to thin the batter. Taste and add additional maple syrup if you desire a sweeter topping. If you desire a thinner consistency, continue adding milk 1 tablespoon at a time, until the topping is as thick as you like. Serve with warm pancakes.

Notes

• Recipe can easily be doubled to feed a larger crowd.
• TO STORE: Refrigerate leftover pancakes in an airtight storage container for up to 2 days. 
• TO REHEAT: Reheat pancakes gently in the toaster or microwave. 
• TO FREEZE: Freeze pancakes in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in the toaster, or thaw overnight in the refrigerator before microwaving. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 4): 2 small pancakes or 1 large pancake, without toppingCalories: 316kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 12gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 99mgPotassium: 269mgFiber: 6gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 326IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 160mgIron: 2mg

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