Description
A hybrid breakfast combining fluffy pancakes with a gooey cinnamon sugar swirl and a tangy cream cheese frosting. This easy homemade recipe takes about 25 minutes and delivers the taste of cinnamon rolls without the hassle of kneading dough.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (for swirl)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 4 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt (for frosting)
- Optional: Chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Ensure cream cheese and butter for frosting are softened. Measure dry ingredients for pancakes.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and granulated sugar until no clumps remain.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Gently fold together until just combined; batter should remain lumpy. Do not overmix.
- Make cinnamon swirl: In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until it resembles wet sand.
- Heat skillet: Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat for 3-5 minutes.
- Cook pancakes: Grease skillet lightly. Pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake. Dot with cinnamon swirl mixture and swirl with a knife. Cook until bubbles form and edges are set (2-3 minutes), then flip and cook until golden brown (1-2 minutes). Keep warm on a wire rack.
- Make frosting: While pancakes cook, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Serve: Serve hot pancakes immediately with dollops of cream cheese frosting and optional nuts.
Notes
Do not overmix the batter to ensure fluffy pancakes. Ensure cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumpy frosting. If buttermilk is unavailable, substitute with milk plus vinegar or lemon juice. Keep cooked pancakes warm on a wire rack in a low oven rather than stacking them.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pancakes with fros
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 38
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 62
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 8
Keywords: cinnamon roll pancakes, cream cheese frosting, fluffy pancakes, easy breakfast, weekend brunch, homemade pancakes, comfort food