Valentine Breakfast Pancakes Strawberries (Print Version)
Fluffy heart-shaped pancakes topped with sweet strawberries; a perfect romantic morning treat.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pancake Batter
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
06 - 1 1/4 cups buttermilk, room temperature
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Strawberry Topping
10 - 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
11 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
12 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
→ To Serve
13 - Whipped cream
14 - Maple syrup
# How-To Steps:
01 - Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
03 - Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold together until just combined, leaving some small lumps. Avoid overmixing to ensure fluffy pancakes.
04 - Toss sliced strawberries with sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl. Set aside to macerate while preparing the pancakes, allowing the fruit to release its natural juices.
05 - Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease with additional butter as needed.
06 - Pour approximately 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the heated surface. Use a heart-shaped mold or cookie cutter for romantic presentation. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and edges appear set, approximately 2 minutes.
07 - Carefully flip each pancake and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through.
08 - Repeat the cooking process with remaining batter, lightly greasing the skillet between batches as necessary.
09 - Plate warm pancakes immediately. Top generously with macerated strawberries, a dollop of whipped cream, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These pancakes are impossibly fluffy and tender, thanks to the buttermilk and careful mixing technique.
- The macerated strawberries create their own syrupy sauce that makes extra maple syrup almost unnecessary.
- They turn an ordinary Tuesday breakfast into something that feels like a celebration without much extra effort.
02 -
- Let the batter rest for about 5 minutes before cooking, this makes the pancakes fluffier.
- Do not press down on pancakes with your spatula, you are literally pressing out the air you just worked to create.
- Keep finished pancakes warm in a 200F oven while you cook the rest of the batch.
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients make a noticeable difference in how evenly the batter mixes.
- If your buttermilk has been sitting in the fridge for weeks, give it a sniff before using.