Bring holiday magic to your breakfast table with these delightful Christmas Tree Pancakes! Perfect for Christmas morning or festive brunches, these pancakes are as fun to make as they are to eat. With a light, fluffy base, vibrant colors, and creative toppings, they’ll be a hit with kids and adults alike. Let’s turn your breakfast into a holiday masterpiece!

Ingredients

For the Pancakes:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1¾ cups milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Green gel food coloring

For the Toppings:

• Powdered sugar (for “snow”)
• Mini marshmallows
• Sprinkles (stars, red, green, or gold)
• Chocolate chips
• Whipped cream
• Fruit slices (e.g., strawberries for tree decorations)

Directions

1. Make the Pancake Batter
   • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
   • Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix; some lumps are fine.
   • Add green gel food coloring and stir until the batter is evenly tinted. Adjust the amount of coloring to achieve your desired shade of green.
2. Cook the Pancakes
   • Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease with butter or cooking spray.
   • Pour the batter onto the skillet in gradually smaller circles to form a tree shape, starting with a large circle for the base and stacking smaller circles as you go.
   • Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until bubbles form on the surface. Flip carefully and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
3. Assemble the Trees
   • Stack the pancakes from largest to smallest to create a tree shape. Place the largest pancake on the bottom and layer upward with smaller sizes.
4. Decorate
   • Dust the pancake “trees” with powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
   • Add sprinkles, marshmallows, and fruit slices as ornaments.
   • Top with a whipped cream “star” or a piece of fruit shaped like a star.

Serving and Storage Tips

Serving:

• Serve warm with maple syrup, chocolate sauce, or a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness.
• Pair with hot cocoa or a festive fruit punch for a complete holiday breakfast.

Storage:

• Refrigerator: Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave before serving.
• Freezer: Freeze pancakes in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat from frozen in the toaster or oven.

Variations

1. Chocolate Pancakes:
   • Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the batter for chocolaty Christmas trees.
2. Gluten-Free Pancakes:
   • Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour.
3. Rainbow Trees:
   • Divide the batter into portions and color each differently to create a stack of colorful “rainbow” trees.
4. Fruit-Infused:
   • Add mashed bananas or blueberries to the batter for a fruity twist.
5. Savory Trees:
   • Skip the sugar and vanilla in the batter, and serve with crispy bacon, eggs, or avocado for a savory take.

Conclusion

Christmas Tree Pancakes are a whimsical and delicious way to celebrate the holiday season. With their vibrant colors and fun toppings, they bring joy and creativity to your breakfast table. Perfect for family gatherings or a special treat for kids, these pancakes are a holiday tradition in the making. Let your imagination run wild and create edible Christmas trees everyone will love!

FAQs

1. Can I make the batter ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the batter the night before and store it in the refrigerator. Stir gently before using.

2. What can I use instead of food coloring?
Natural green options include matcha powder or spinach puree (don’t worry, the flavor won’t overpower the pancakes).

3. Can I use store-bought pancake mix?
Absolutely! Add food coloring to the prepared batter and follow the same cooking and decorating steps.

4. How can I make star-shaped toppings?
Use a small cookie cutter to cut stars from fruit like pineapple, cantaloupe, or apple slices.

5. What’s the best way to flip stacked pancakes?
Cook each pancake separately, then stack and decorate after cooking to avoid breaking them during flipping.

Bring the festive spirit to your breakfast table with these delightful Christmas Tree Pancakes—fun to make, delicious to eat, and perfect for creating holiday memories! 🎄🥞✨