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A festive stack of fluffy Green Pancakes on a white plate, topped with whipped cream and red and green sprinkles.

Grinch Green Pancakes with Cream Cheese Icing

Get into the holiday spirit with these vibrant Grinch Green Pancakes, perfectly fluffy and topped with a luscious, tangy cream cheese icing. A festive and fun breakfast treat that's sure to make hearts grow three sizes!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Grinch Green Pancakes
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/4 cups buttermilk or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar/lemon juice
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Green food coloring gel or liquid, to desired shade
  • Cooking spray or additional butter for griddle
For the Cream Cheese Icing
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tbsp milk or heavy cream, as needed

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Non-stick skillet or griddle
  • Spatula
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • Electric mixer (optional)

Method
 

For the Grinch Green Pancakes
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  2. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
  3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. A few lumps are okay; do not overmix.
  4. Add green food coloring, starting with a few drops and adding more until you achieve your desired Grinch-green shade. Mix gently to incorporate.
  5. Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Lightly grease with cooking spray or a pat of butter.
  6. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the hot griddle. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden green and cooked through.
  7. Transfer cooked pancakes to a plate and keep warm while you cook the remaining batter.
For the Cream Cheese Icing
  1. In a small mixing bowl, using an electric mixer or whisk, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy.
  2. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, mixing until fully incorporated and smooth.
  3. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. If the icing is too thick, add milk or heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until it reaches a pourable but still thick consistency.
To Serve
  1. Stack the warm Grinch Green Pancakes on plates.
  2. Drizzle generously with cream cheese icing.
  3. Optionally, garnish with a single strawberry slice or red sprinkles to represent the Grinch's heart or a Christmas ornament.

Notes

For extra fluffy pancakes, let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes before cooking. If using regular milk instead of buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to the milk and let it sit for 5 minutes before adding to the batter. Adjust the amount of green food coloring to achieve your preferred shade of Grinch green. Gel food coloring provides a more vibrant color with less liquid.