Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

35 minutes mins

| 11 Comments |

5 from 5 votes

Jump to Recipe | Updated: | by Nora

The best soft and fluffy Gingerbread Pancakes! This quick and easy recipe is perfect for breakfast on Christmas morning – like eating gingerbread cookies for brunch!

Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe - Savory Nothings (1)

This recipe is one of my kids’ favorite Christmas morning breakfast. If I’m an extra special mom, I cut the pancakes with a gingerbread man shaped cookie cutter and put chocolate chips as little eyes and buttons on top to serve. It’s the best thing to see the joy in their eyes from something so simple!

I had to make this recipe a few times to get the flavor right, but I believe now it has just the right balance of gingerbread spices and sweetness. It’s also very simple to pull together with just a few staple ingredients – no endless hours spent whipping up your special holiday brunch!

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe - Savory Nothings (2)

Ingredient notes

  • Brown sugar: I prefer dark brown sugar in this recipe, but feel free to use light brown sugar if that’s all you have.
  • Molasses: I go for dark molasses here, but light are fine if you prefer those. Please do not use blackstrap molasses, they are too bitter for a sweet recipe such as these pancakes. If you don’t have any molasses on hand, you can use honey. The gingerbread taste will be a little less intense, but still good.
  • Oil: Feel free to use melted butter in place of the oil for an extra-rich taste.
  • Gingerbread spices: Either use my homemade gingerbread spice mix, a store-bougt mix or a blend of ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¾ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves and ¼ teaspoon ground allspice.

How to make Gingerbread Pancakes

This is such a simple recipe with so little steps. First, whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl until well combined (1) – I always use a whisk because it helps the baking powder to evenly distribute.

Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe - Savory Nothings (3)

In a separate bowl or large measuring jug, whisk together the wet ingredients until smooth (2).

Now pour the wet into the dry ingredients and fold together JUST until combined (3). Lumps are absolutely fine – but if you overmix the batter, your pancakes will come out dense and gummy.

Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe - Savory Nothings (4)

Use a skillet or griddle over medium-low heat to cook your pancakes (4). I use 2 tablespoons of batter, if they’re too big they’re hard to flip.

It’s also important to use medium-low heat and watch them closely, the pancakes burn easily due to the high molasses and sugar content.

Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe - Savory Nothings (5)

Recipe tips

  • Do not overmix the pancake batter! Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, use a spatula or wooden spoon to stir just until the flour is moistened. A lumpy, scraggly batter is perfect!
  • Use medium-low heat to cook your pancakes. They burn easily because they are relatively high in sugar and molasses, so mind your temperature setting.
  • Batter consistency: Depending on your exact size eggs and exact brand of brown sugar and molasses, the batter may seem a little thin. If you feel it’s much thinner than your regular pancake batter, feel free to fold in 2 more tablespoons of flour.
  • Don’t stack the pancakes before serving – we place them on a wire rack in a single layer. You can also put them in the oven on the lowest temperature setting to keep them warm. But don’t stack them before serving, or they may come out dense.

Freezer instructions

To freeze, place the cooled pancakes in freezer bags. Label with the name and date, then freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrost unwrapped on a rack on the counter. You can also microwave the pancakes from frozen.

Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe - Savory Nothings (6)

Serving ideas

We enjoy these with a side of my winter fruit salad. A pat of honey butter and drizzle of syrup on top never hurt, either ? If you want to be extra-fancy, sprinkle on some chopped pecans and icing sugar for a “snowed on” look. So pretty and festive!

More gingerbread recipes

  • The Perfect Soft Gingerbread Cookies
  • Favorite Gingerbread Spiced Hot Chocolate
  • Homemade Gingerbread Spice Mix

PSIf you try this recipe, please leavea review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along onPinterest,FacebookorInstagram.

Printable recipe

Printable Recipe Card

Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe - Savory Nothings (11)

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Gingerbread Pancakes

The best soft and fluffy Gingerbread Pancake recipe – perfect for Christmas morning with warm flavors from molasses and spices.

Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings

made it? tap the stars to add your rating!

5 from 5 votes

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Recipe details

Prep 10 minutes mins

Cook 25 minutes mins

Total 35 minutes mins

Servings 4 servings

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons Gingerbread Spice Mix see notes for individual spices
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ cup brown sugar dark brown preferred
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cup milk
  • cup molasses (not blackstrap molasses, they're too bitter!)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

  • In a large bowl mix the dry ingredients well. Whisk the wet ingredients together in a separate measuring jug until smooth.

  • Pour the wet into the dry ingredients. Fold together with a spoon or spatula just until combined – some lumps are fine.

  • Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium-low heat. Spray with nonstick cooking spray or use a little oil to keep the pancakes from sticking. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of the batter onto the griddle or into the frying pan per pancake. Cook for a few minutes or until you start seeing bubbles forming on the surface. Flip and continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes.

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Notes

Ingredient notes

  • Brown sugar: I prefer dark brown sugar in this recipe, but feel free to use light brown sugar if that’s all you have.
  • Molasses: I go for dark molasses here, but light are fine if you prefer those. Please do not use blackstrap molasses, they are too bitter for a sweet recipe such as these pancakes. If you don’t have any molasses on hand, you can use honey. The gingerbread taste will be a little less intense, but still good.
  • Oil: Feel free to use melted butter in place of the oil for an extra-rich taste.
  • Gingerbread spices: Either use my homemade gingerbread spice mix, a store-bougt mix or a blend of ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¾ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves and ¼ teaspoon ground allspice.

Recipe tips

  • Do not overmix the pancake batter! Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, use a spatula or wooden spoon to stir just until the flour is moistened. A lumpy, scraggly batter is perfect!
  • Use medium-low heat to cook your pancakes. They burn easily because they are relatively high in sugar and molasses, so mind your temperature setting.
  • Batter consistency: Depending on your exact size eggs and exact brand of brown sugar and molasses, the batter may seem a little thin. If you feel it’s much thinner than your regular pancake batter, feel free to fold in 2 more tablespoons of flour.
  • Don’t stack the pancakes before serving – we place them on a wire rack in a single layer. You can also put them in the oven on the lowest temperature setting to keep them warm. But don’t stack them before serving, or they may come out dense.

Freezer instructions

To freeze, place the cooled pancakes in freezer bags. Label with the name and date, then freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrost unwrapped on a rack on the counter. You can also microwave the pancakes from frozen.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 569kcalCarbohydrates: 95gProtein: 13gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 377mgPotassium: 842mgFiber: 3gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 259IUCalcium: 286mgIron: 5mg

Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Suitable for: Vegetarian

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

I first published this recipe on 11/27/2014. I updated the recipe, photos, post and video on 12/13/2020 to make the recipe better, the post more helpful and the photos more beautiful!

Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe - Savory Nothings (12)
About Nora
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me! Learn more.

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Comments

  1. Aubrey says

    Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe - Savory Nothings (15)
    These were the fluffiest pancakes I’ve ever made! I used regular granulated sugar in place of dark brown sugar, sour milk by adding 1 T. vinegar before measuring out the milk and letting it sit to curdle, only 1/4 cup molasses and I simplified the spices to match my favorite ginger snap recipe: 1 tsp. each of cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Came out great! Served stacked high with maple syrup and a dollop of Cool Whip. Yum!

    Reply

    • Nora says

      I’m so glad, Aubrey!

      Reply

  2. TMBriz says

    Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe - Savory Nothings (16)
    It was delicious. Although I had to modify mine, which included fresh grated ginger instead of ginger powder, to make some for just me and my husband, the overall recipe was on point. This was a trial for our Christmas breakfast and we are so looking forward to serving these to our family.

    Reply

    • Nora says

      I’m so glad!

      Reply

  3. Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says

    This is seriously pancake heaven! Gingerbread is my jam right now and I say bring it on in EVERYTHING! P.S. Your photos are um, totally gorgeous. 🙂 pinned!

    Reply

    • Nora says

      Gingerbread needs to rule the world! Thanks so much Sarah!

      Reply

  4. Nora says

    Thank you so much!

    Reply

  5. Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says

    Love gingerbread!! These sound so yummy! My dad always made us mickey mouse pancakes when we were little… I wonder if you could make these into gingerbread-man shapes!!

    Reply

    • Nora says

      Thanks Jess! Aww that’s such a cute story! You can make them into gingerbread shapes with cookie cutters but it’s really not much fun to do, haha!

      Reply

  6. Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says

    I am in serious awe of how you are able to post anything with a three-month old! I also do a lot of 1-handed tasks, and mine is a year. I have a very strong left arm, ha ha! These pancakes look amazing, and I bet your house smells amazing 🙂

    Reply

    • Nora says

      Ha, that’s the first thing my mom told me – you’re going to get very good at one-handed tasks 😀 Thanks for stopping by Denise!

      Reply

Gingerbread Pancakes Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret of amazing pancakes? ›

Tips for the Perfect Pancakes

Baking soda should be no more than six months old. Stir the batter only until the wet and dry ingredients are incorporated; overbeating will make pancakes tough and chewy instead of fluffy. No Buttermilk, No Problem!

How to make pancakes the night before? ›

How can I make the pancake batter ahead of time? To make ahead the pancake batter, prepare it in the evening. Then, cover the bowl, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, give the batter a quick whisk just before you want to use it.

How to make pancake MiX Gordon Ramsay? ›

Gordon Ramsay's recipe

You will need 2 eggs, separated, 2 tbsp sugar, ½ tsp salt, 2 tsp baking powder, 60g vegetable oil, 300g buttermilk, 160g plain flour, and 1 tsp vanilla essence. Whisk the egg whites “*ntil foamy”. MiX all the other ingredients in a second bowl, then fold in the egg whites.

Why do restaurant pancakes taste better than homemade? ›

Restaurants use better quality ingredients

However, along with that ease, you may be taking a hit in the overall taste department. Restaurants tend to use real, farm-fresh eggs and real milk when making their pancakes, which as you might guess, adds to a richer, higher-quality eating experience.

What is Queen Elizabeth's pancake recipe? ›

Beat two eggs with 4 tablespoons of sugar and about one teacup (or 3/4 of a cup) of milk. Add 4 teacups of flour and mix in another teacup of milk "as required" Mix in 3 teaspoons of cream of tartar and 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate soda (baking soda) Fold in 2 tablespoons of melted butter.

Why do you put coins in pancakes? ›

However, it's not as tasty as you think, as they add small objects (after they've been thoroughly cleaned of course) such as buttons, rings, and coins. Each object has a special meaning, for example, if you find a shiny coin in your pancake, you're deemed very lucky and will end up rich!

How to make homemade pancakes Paula Deen? ›

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. Stir in the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Pour ¼ cup of pancake batter for each pancake onto the griddle. Cook until the edges start to set and the pancakes are golden-brown underneath.

Should you let pancake batter rest in the fridge? ›

A – If you are going to let your batter rest, leave it for at least 30 minutes in the fridge. If you've got time, leave it for longer – even overnight in the fridge. Some say that there is no point in letting the batter rest and there's certainly no harm in using it straight away. Go ahead if you're in a rush.

Is it best to leave pancake batter overnight? ›

If you want to make good pancakes my #1, sold-gold, absolute best piece of advice I can give you is to make the batter the night before. It allows the gluten in the batter to relax (giving you fluffier pancakes) and also saves a huge amount of time (and cleaning up) in the morning. It really is a fairly simple process.

What can you add to pancake mix for more flavor? ›

You can add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and about 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon directly to the batter and cook as directed. Or you can make a cinnamon filling to swirl into your pancake as it cooks. For this method, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter together.

Why do you put baking soda in pancake mix? ›

Pancakes and waffles typically both contain baking soda, which causes them to rise. As soon as the baking soda is combined with the wet ingredients (which contain an acidic ingredient, like often buttermilk), it starts producing carbon dioxide gas bubbles that cause the batter to rise.

Will adding baking powder to pancake mix make them fluffier? ›

Baking powder, like baking soda, is a chemical leavening agent made with sodium bicarbonate (aka baking soda) plus a weak acid, such as potassium bitartrate. Baking soda is essential for baked goods, but baking powder is really what makes pancakes and biscuits rise and become so super fluffy.

Why are IHOP pancakes so delicious? ›

Marie Grimm, IHOP's vice president of culinary innovation, revealed to Delish that to make a killer batter, the wet ingredients should be "ice cold." Using cold eggs, milk, butter, oil, and water prevents the ingredients from prematurely heating the gluten in the flour, explains Grimm, which is responsible for creating ...

What is the most important ingredient in pancakes? ›

Flour is the main ingredient to any pancake. It provides the structure. Different types of flours alter the structure because some flours absorb more moisture or create more gluten (which binds the structure together) than others.

How are restaurant pancakes so good? ›

Restaurants use hot griddles that are perfectly-calibrated for quick, even cooking. We can't ever recall cooking a bad pancake at home (or, at least, one that wasn't still edible). Yet we also have to admit our amateur cooking skills often seem to be lacking when compared to the pros.

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