Gingerbread Pancakes with Lemon Syrup
Spiced with traditional cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg, these fluffy Gingerbread Pancakes are drizzled with a fresh lemon-buttermilk syrup. Christmas morning, I got your back.
Yesterday Eric gently shook me awake. I looked up at him, bleary-eyed, and he says to me, “Karen, something amazing has happened.”
So, tell me, if your spouse woke you up (after too little sleep) and said this, what would you guess in the few seconds before you found out? You know how fast your brain can think of stuff like this. To quote Han Solo, “I can imagine quite a bit.”
“U2 is going on tour next year, and I can buy tickets a day early!!”
It is, of course, a question of WHEN we will buy tickets, not if. Eric’s U2 obsession devotion love knows no bounds. His face looked exactly like Charlotte’s when I tell her that it’s okay to jump in the puddles as hard as she can.
I swear I did not coordinate their shirts, by the way. She and her cousin just have excellent taste, and serendipitous tendencies.
Here’s my last post for gingerbread week! We started on Monday with these craaaazy awesome Frosted Peppermint Gingerbread Bars, then on Wednesday I shared these Nutella Stuffed Gingerbread Cookies. Never enough gingerbread! Represent.
Today we’re talking breakfast. I made these pancakes for the first time a few weeks ago, and that day my nephew requested them for his birthday party that weekend. My friend Kate tried them, and needed the recipe to make them for her in-laws who were visiting.
So this recipe officially falls under the “I literally can’t wait until you post” category. I get a text, “When are you posting X recipe?” “Uh I don’t know a couple weeks probably.” “You have to email it to me. Now.” That’s when you know you’ve found a winner.
These gingerbread pancakes WIN. And the lemon-buttermilk syrup. Ooooh, the lemon-buttermilk syrup. I’m kind of regretting not dedicating an entire post to that recipe. Stuff of DREAMS you guys.
Do you guys give up? Or are you thirsty for more?
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Gingerbread Pancakes with Lemon Syrup
Makes about 15 pancakes adjust servingsIngredients
For the lemon syrup
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter
- 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice (buy 2 lemons)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3-5 teaspoons lemon zest, plus more for garnish
For the pancakes
- 1 and 1/2 cups flour, spooned and leveled
- 5 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 and 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- butter or nonstick spray, for frying
Instructions
- Start with the lemon syrup: In a 2-quart saucepan melt butter over medium heat.
- Add lemon juice, 1/2 cup buttermilk, and sugar. Stir occasionally over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved, 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and immediately stir in 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda. The mixture will bubble up and foam like a science experiment (this is why you need a larger pot).
- Add the lemon zest and stir. It will take a few minutes for the foam to calm down, just stir it every now and then. Let rest while you get the pancakes ready, or keep it on low.
- For the pancakes: In a medium bowl whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and cloves. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, molasses, egg + yolk, butter, and vanilla.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until combined.
- Heat your griddle or skillet to medium. (350 on my griddle)
- Grease the pan with butter or nonstick spray, just enough to coat it.
- Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to form the pancakes. Cook for 2-4 minutes, until bubble have formed all over the top. Then flip with a spatula and cook until light brown, another 2 minutes or so.
- Serve with warm lemon syrup. Sprinkle each serving with lemon zest.
by The Food Charlatan
Use about a 1/4 cup per pancake. Mmm.
Pancaaaaaakes:
Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes from Picky Cook
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes from Minimalist Baker
Lemon Buttermilk Pancakes from Becky Bakes
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I know this recipe is older and most of the comments are from 2014 but I thought I’d add my two cents since I did something most of the other reviewers didn’t do: Actually made the recipe!
Let me just say… OH, MY!
I had some already made up pancake mix so I just followed your guidance on amounts of spices to add. My tester pancakes (to see if the pan is hot enough) was deliciously spiced and my home smells like Fall.
I could NOT stop licking the spoon when I was stirring down the syrup. I probably won’t ever make my own syrup again after this, as it was easy enough (I had to make buttermilk first, then zest like 4 lemons and squeeze them all by hand, which was tedious and had me laughing out loud). The foaming monstrosity that became the syrup once the soda hit it made me glad I switched from a regular-sized saucepan to my instant pot on your recommendation of a larger pan. Took almost an hour for all the foam to go down enough to bottle it. I used a funnel and just poured it into some repurposed maple syrup jars and put it in the cabinets. It won’t last long enough to go bad and I cannot WAIT to try it on the actual pancakes tomorrow.
Great recipe. Going on my favorites stack as well as being added to my Mabon cookbook.
I meant to say “Won’t ever buy store-bought syrup again after this” and there is not an edit button.
Hooray, so glad you enjoyed the recipe Stephanie!! I know, whenever I make homemade syrup I wonder why I buy it at the store. it’s so good. Thanks so much for commenting with a detailed review, you are awesome!
Wow.. it looks soo yummy.. can’t wait to taste it..
I am from India.. i don’t think I ll be able to find Molasses here, can u plz suggest me any other alternative for this.
Hey Hepzibha! Can you find dark corn syrup? If not you could replace with honey or maple syrup, though any of these will change the flavor a bit. But it will still be delicious! I hope it works out for you!
You had me at LEMON BUTTERMILK SYRUP. YUMmMMMM.
You totally nailed gingerbread week and these pancakes? Pure gingerbread perfection and ’tis what I’m going to make for breakfast today and on Christmas morning :) They look and sound exactly of what my gingerbread dreams are made of! That pic of Charlotte and her cousin are the best! <3!
Holy cow, Karen. That is the most glorious stack of pancakes I’ve ever seen! I’m coming to your house for breakfast this weekend.
Thanks Andi! You’re welcome anytime of course :)
Gingerbread!! I am actually scratching my posts I had planned for next week because of an intense gingerbread craving over the weekend! Gingerbread and lemon sound lovely together- who would have though? PS- my husband is also super excited about U2, just glad I didn’t get woken up to hear about it!
I’m OBSESSED right now Alex!! It’s kind of ridiculous. If you are having cravings just stop by my place, you are guaranteed to find something. :) Can’t wait to see what ginger lemon combo you come up with! Best ever!
GIMME. These look perfect in every way. And that syrup, I think I could safely say I’d start putting it on EVERYTHING.
Yeah. Eric has to stop me from putting it on my toothbrush.
Lemon buttermilk syrup?? This is something I must try!
You must Julia! :)
I am no good in the morning, so I probably would have nudged my husband away and fell back asleep. Girl, this stack o’ cakes is stunning. Ginger and lemon are lovely together. Pinned.
Haha. “Nudged.” I should have walloped him. :)
These look absolutely to die for! Stumbled upon your blog just now and I’m already falling in love! Everything looks so dang delish!
Oh thank you Rachel! :)
One the one hand, I hope it’s not raining on Sunday, but on the other, I hope it is, so I can hang out and do this with Charlotte.
I want to eat that whole stack – GINGERBREAD WEEK IS THE BEST WEEK EVER.
(Will there be lemon syrup on Sunday??)
Your husband and daughter are absolutely adorable. And that “jump in puddles as hard as you can” look… I can totally imagine it. I used to go around doing that during 4th grade on rainy days on the playground. My mom realized she couldn’t fight it and just bought me better rain boots. ;) And if I stop by late one night when we’re both staying up to work on blog posts, can we have brinner with these pancakes?? Mmkay thanks. :) Pinned!
I’ve loved gingerbread week! And what a way to end it – these pancakes look so so good! And that syrup….
Gorgeous pictures too – the light is so pretty!!
Where were you when I was looking for gingerbread pancake recipes earlier this week?? ;)
These look completely amazing! I’m picturing them for a cozy, holiday breakfast. Had to laugh at the U2 tickets thing. I was all excited about buying tickets for Foo Fighters at Shoreline but by the time I got on Ticketmaster, all that was left was lawn…. I think I’m too old for lawn tickets!
I bet Eric is quite excited about the U2 concert! Should be a fun date night for you two. My sister and I had a similar conversation this week when we found out Lana Del Rey was coming to the shoreline, and we could get a password to buy the tickets a whole day early. Which is what we spent yesterday morning doing. So fun! And oh my stars these pancakes! Want!
These pancakes are just what I need this morning! They look so light and fluffy. And the flavor combination is out of this world!
These look insanely good. I need you to come take my photos for me! Breakfast is my favorite meal ever — definitely pinning these for later!
oh my gawd, yo. . these pancakes?!!! HELLO. . damn, these look so good!! Hooray for gingerbread week! What a way to end a fabulous week! love!
My grandma and I used to eat lemon curd on fluffy gingerbread cake together. Sounds weird, tastes like heaven. After this week I’m beginning to think gingerbread is the ultimate secret dessert weapon.
WHAT. That sounds freaking amazing.
Oh my gosh – that is Christmas on a PLATE right there! I can smell the gingerbread pancake aroma right through my computer screen. Beautiful!!! (And as usual, your pictures are amazing!)
Aw thanks Kate! I really do plan on having these on Christmas morning this year, they are just so appropriate! :)