Because Your Holiday Breakfast Deserves to Be Just as Extra as the Tree
Let’s talk about pancakes. Not just any pancakes—holiday pancakes. We’re not doing basic boxed mix here. These are the kind of pancakes that turn your Christmas morning into an experience. Sweet, spiced, stacked high, and covered in everything from maple syrup to whipped cream to crushed candy canes. Some are cozy and traditional, others are wild and Instagram-worthy, but all of them bring that magic of Christmas to the table.
So whether you’re cooking for a house full of relatives or just want to make something magical in your pajamas before coffee kicks in, here are 10 Christmas pancakes that are actually worth waking up for.
1. Gingerbread Pancakes
Let’s start with the king of Christmas spices. These pancakes are loaded with molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. The texture? Fluffy, slightly chewy, and rich. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. Want to take it next-level? Top with a drizzle of cream cheese glaze and crushed gingerbread cookies.
Bonus tip: Let the batter rest for 10 minutes before cooking to allow the spices to bloom.
2. Eggnog Pancakes
If you’re not drinking eggnog, you should be eating it. These pancakes swap milk for real eggnog, giving you a creamy, spiced batter that screams Christmas. The addition of nutmeg and a splash of rum extract makes them taste like the holidays in a bite.
Top with warm maple syrup, whipped cream, and maybe a pinch of nutmeg if you’re feeling fancy.
3. Hot Cocoa Pancakes
This one is straight-up dessert for breakfast. Think fluffy chocolate pancakes with cocoa powder and mini chocolate chips folded in. Stack them up, slather with whipped cream, and toss on some mini marshmallows or even a drizzle of hot fudge.
Pro tip: Use buttermilk for tang and extra lift.
4. Candy Cane Crunch Pancakes
These vanilla-based pancakes are filled with crushed candy canes and white chocolate chips. They’re festive, minty, and slightly crunchy in the best way. They’ll make your kitchen smell like a candy shop. Serve with a vanilla glaze or whipped cream. Top with extra crushed peppermint if you want that satisfying crunch.
Kid tip: Let the little ones help crush the candy canes. It’s loud, chaotic, and very on-brand for December.
5. Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze
You want drama on the plate? This is your move. These deep-red pancakes are rich with cocoa and just a touch of tang from buttermilk. The cream cheese glaze is thick, slightly sweet, and balances the cocoa perfectly.
They’re basically mini stacks of red velvet cake you can eat at 9 a.m. with zero judgment.
6. Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
This isn’t just a pancake. It’s a hybrid of your two favorite breakfasts. You swirl a brown sugar-cinnamon filling into the batter as it cooks, then smother the whole stack in cream cheese icing. They’re sticky, buttery, sweet, and absolutely over the top—in the best way.
Skip the yeast and bake time of real cinnamon rolls. Get that flavor instantly.
7. Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
If you’re not done with pumpkin after Thanksgiving, good. These pancakes are soft, thick, and packed with pure pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves, and all the cozy flavors you want in December.
Use real pumpkin puree, not pie filling. A pat of cinnamon butter on top takes these from good to game-changing.
8. Snowflake Powdered Sugar Pancakes
Visually impressive and incredibly simple. Classic buttermilk pancakes cut with snowflake cookie cutters, then dusted with powdered sugar like fresh snow. You can plate them like little ornaments or stack them in mini towers. Great with berries or a berry compote for color contrast.
Perfect for brunch guests or Instagram stories that say “I cooked this myself” with subtle smugness.
9. Pancake Trees (Stacked Mini Pancakes with Green Tinted Syrup)
This one’s more about the presentation than the recipe, but it works. Make silver-dollar pancakes, stack them into a cone shape, drizzle with green-tinted maple syrup (just a drop or two of natural food coloring), and top with a raspberry or cherry as your “star.”
Ideal for kids’ plates or anyone who still believes in a little Christmas magic.
10. Cranberry Orange Pancakes
Sweet meets tart. These pancakes feature orange zest in the batter and a quick homemade cranberry compote as a topping. They’re bright, refreshing, and a nice change from all the chocolate-heavy options.
Use fresh or frozen cranberries simmered with orange juice and a touch of sugar. The compote thickens into the perfect holiday topping.
Tips to Pancake Like a Pro
- Don’t overmix the batter. Lumps are your friends. Overmixing = tough, rubbery pancakes.
- Use a griddle or cast iron skillet. You want even heat and that golden brown crust.
- Let the batter rest. Ten minutes minimum. It relaxes the gluten and makes fluffier pancakes.
- Keep them warm. Pop cooked pancakes on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven while you finish the batch.
- Garnish like you mean it. Powdered sugar, fresh herbs, syrups, berries—make it a moment.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to pick just one. Pancakes are one of the easiest holiday breakfasts to batch cook, tweak, or build into an epic spread. Try two or three recipes and let people vote on their favorite. Or go full send and make a pancake board with toppings, syrups, and mix-ins for a build-your-own bar.
These pancakes aren’t just breakfast. They’re tradition. They’re family. They’re the scent of Christmas morning wrapped in cinnamon and sugar and stacked three high.
Whip out your spatula, preheat the griddle, and start flipping. December isn’t complete without at least one of these hitting the table.
