Red Velvet Pancakes

It is Valentine’s Day week!  Some say this is a “Hallmark” holiday, but I happen to think that having one day specifically devoted to the ones you love is a great thing!

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and if you know my husband, you know this is true for him!  Chris loooooves red velvet.  I made Red Velvet cake balls a few years ago, and ever since then, he was hooked.  Cakes, cake balls, Twinkies (yes, they make them!).  Pretty much if it is red, and has a hint of chocolate flavor with a cream cheese icing, he is head-over-heels.

Back when we were first in love, I used to make him breakfast in bed on Valentine’s Day, or his birthday, or other special occasions.  I only wish I would have known infatuation for all things Red Velvet back then.  Maybe I wouldn’t have had to wait so long for him to put a ring on it

Slightly sweet pancakes with a just a hint of chocolate covered with a sweet, tangy cream cheese glaze.  Decadent, yes.  Drool-worthy, yes.  But Valentine’s Day is only one day a year!  I think your loves are worth it!

If your sweetie is a food-lover like mine, make them these pancakes!

Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze

adapted from my Buttermilk Pancakes

makes about 20 pancakes

Print this recipe!

Ingredients

For Pancakes:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups buttermilk (or 2 Tbsp white vinegar mixed with just under 2 cups of regular milk-pour the vinegar into a measuring cup and fill it up to the 2 cup mark with milk)
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 Tbsp red food coloring
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For Cream Cheese Glaze

• 6 oz cream cheese, softened (I used low-fat)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt until well combined.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk (or vinegar + milk mixture), eggs, oil, vanilla and red food coloring until well combined.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until well combined.
4. Heat a griddle to medium heat.
5. Pour the pancake batter in 1/4 cup portions on the hot griddle.
6. Cook pancakes until small bubbles appear on the surface and begin to pop, about 3 minutes.
7. Flip pancakes and continue to cook the other side until they are cooked through, another 2-3 minutes.
8.  Keep cooked pancakes warm in a 200 degree oven while cooking the remaining pancakes.
9. Meanwhile, combine all ingredients for the Cream Cheese glaze together in a large bowl until well mixed.
10. Serve pancakes with the glaze.