Description
Learn how to make delicious Heart-Shaped Red Velvet Pancakes. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (you can swap half for whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for greasing the pan)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons red food coloring (adjust for desired color intensity; natural beet juice works too)
- Optional: cream cheese frosting or whipped cream for topping
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This dry mix sets the stage for your pancakes’ fluffy texture and balanced flavor.
- In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, melted butter, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. I like to whisk this until it’s smooth and the color is evenly distributed—this was a trick I learned after many early batches where the color was patchy.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix and gently fold them together with a spatula. Don’t overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can lead to tough pancakes, something I learned firsthand after rushing through a batch in college for a Wednesday dinner.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter. To get the heart shape, I use a squeeze bottle or a small piping bag to outline the hearts first, then fill them in with batter. This method gives you better control, especially if you’re cooking with kids or want to impress your brunch guests.
- Cook each pancake for about 2-3 minutes until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set. Flip carefully and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the other side. The pancakes should be springy to the touch and slightly glossy when ready.
- Transfer cooked pancakes to a warm plate and keep them covered with foil while you finish the rest. This keeps them soft, a tip I picked up after testing recipes with Maya and Eli, who prefer their pancakes warm and tender.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Heart-Shaped Red Velvet Pancakes, recipe, cooking, food
