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Katie's Cucina » Recipes » Breakfast

Grinch Pancakes

Published: Dec 2, 2019 · Modified: Dec 15, 2023 by Katie · This post may contain affiliate links

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Plated Grinch Pancakes with pinterest title text.
stack of green pancakes with whipped cream and frosting and red sprinkles with text on image for pinterest.

Create your very own Grinch Pancakes at home with green buttermilk pancake batter, cream cheese frosting, green whipped cream and heart sprinkles!

plated green pancakes topped with white frosting, green whipped cream, and red sprinkles and title text.

“ You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch!” Another week and another song lyric mentioned at a start of a post! Sorry I can’t help it!

Back in 2018, my four-year-old son developed a strong craving for Grinch pancakes, inspired by incessant IHOP commercials. To indulge his excitement, we treated him to a surprise breakfast at IHOP. Upon tasting their Grinch pancakes, I was inspired to recreate them at home, aiming for an even better version. Leveraging my buttermilk pancake recipe as a base, I decided to craft my own delightful Grinch pancakes experience.

This has become a new Christmas family tradition that my kids request year after year. Make it extra special and turn the Grinch on for them to watch while they enjoy their green pancakes.

Jump to:
  • Why this Recipe Works
  • Ingredients
  • Directions
  • How to Make Pancakes
  • How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting
  • How to Make Whipped Cream
  • How to Assemble Grinch Pancakes
  • FAQs
  • Recipe Tips and Tricks
  • Christmas Breakfast Ideas
  • Grinch Pancakes

Why this Recipe Works

Kid-Friendly Appeal – The Grinch Pancakes recipe caters to the whimsical and playful preferences of children. The vibrant green color and the iconic Grinch face make breakfast a delightful and entertaining experience for kids, encouraging them to enjoy the meal.

Customizable and Creative – The recipe provides ample room for creativity and personalization. From shaping the Grinch’s facial features to choosing fun toppings, families can engage in the cooking process together, fostering a sense of joy and togetherness in the kitchen.

Homemade Goodness – By using a buttermilk pancake base, the recipe ensures a homemade touch and superior taste compared to store-bought alternatives. This approach allows for better control over ingredients, ensuring a delicious and wholesome breakfast that surpasses the commercial Grinch pancakes that initially inspired the recipe.

Ingredients

Adam's Extract green Food Coloring bottle closeup.
  • Dry Goods – All purpose flour makes the perfect base for this recipe. You will also need baking powder and baking soda.
  • Dairy – You need a mix of buttermilk, butter, heavy cream, milk, and cream cheese for this recipe.
  • Egg – 1 egg is all you need for the batter.
  • Vanilla Extract – Pure clean vanilla extract that has no tinted color works best for the frosting.
  • Sugar – Gather up both granulated sugar and powder sugar.
  • Food Dye – You will need green food dye to get the perfect Grinch green.
  • Sprinkles – Heart sprinkles complete these pancakes. Just think you can use the rest of them at Valentine’s Day!

Directions

Top view of green pancakes with white icing, green whipped cream, and red heart sprinkles.

How to Make Pancakes

First, In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Then add in the buttermilk, milk, eggs, and melted butter. Mix this batter for 30 seconds until all ingredients are blended.

Spray cooking spray on a griddle or frying pan. Heat at medium heat. Using a small ladle or ice cream scoop (using about ¼ cup batter for each pancake (or less if you want silver dollar pancakes)), pour the batter onto the griddle.

Let the pancakes cook until you begin to start to see bubbles form on the top of the batter (about 1-2 minutes). Then flip, and cook an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from griddle and repeat until all the batter is used.

How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting

Next make the cream cheese frosting. When I first tasted the pancakes while dining at IHOP, they seemed to have a canned “cream cheese” glaze taste to them. You can get a can of cream cheese frosting from the grocery store or you can make your own.

If you make your own (which is what I prefer) mix together using a hand mixer or stand mixer the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and water. Mix until smooth. If the frosting is too thick you can mix in additional water until your desired consistency. Then, set the bowl to the side.

How to Make Whipped Cream

For the whipped cream. You can go the easy route and take green food coloring and color some CoolWhip. Or you can go the extra step and make fresh homemade green whipped cream. Using a stand mixer, mix in the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and green food coloring.

Once the whipped cream is done you’ll then place into a piping bag to give that professional polished look.

How to Assemble Grinch Pancakes

To assemble the pancakes, stack pancakes then drizzle on the cream cheese frosting. Top pancake with green whipped cream. Add heart shaped sprinkles on top. Repeat until all the pancakes are done and enjoy.

FAQs

stack of grinch pancakes on white decorative plate next to fork in front of white tree table decor.
What do the Grinch pancakes taste like?

In case your wondering what the Grinch pancakes taste like they are light fluffy buttermilk pancakes died green. On top, they have a cream cheese frosting that is sweet and

Does IHOP still have Grinch pancakes?

Sadly, IHOP does not serve the Grinch pancakes any more! The Grinch pancakes were a limited time menu item for the 2018 Christmas season.

Can I use a pancake mix for Grinch Pancakes, or do I need to make the batter from scratch?

While you can use a pancake mix, making the batter from scratch allows for better customization and flavor.

How do I achieve the vibrant green color in the Grinch Pancakes?

Use food coloring to tint the pancake batter green. Gel food coloring often works best for achieving a bright and consistent color.

Can I make Grinch Pancakes ahead of time and reheat them?

Yes, you can make the pancakes ahead and reheat them in a toaster or oven. However, for the best taste and texture, it’s recommended to serve them fresh.

What toppings go well with Grinch Pancakes?

I like to stick with the cream cheese frosting and green whipped cream with heart shaped sprinkles. However, other toppings you could include could be strawberries shaped as hearts, and a dusting of powdered sugar on top. Feel free to get creative with your favorite toppings!

Can I make Grinch Pancakes without food coloring?

Yes, but the green color adds to the festive theme. You can explore natural options like spinach puree or matcha powder for coloring.

How thick should I pour the pancake batter for the Grinch face?

Aim for a medium thickness, so the pancake cooks evenly. You can use a ladle or measuring cup for consistent portion sizes.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

green pancakes with white icing, green whipped cream, and red heart sprinkles on white decorative plate.

Here are a few of my tips and tricks I find helpful when making Christmas pancakes.

  • Use a non-stick griddle or pan – Ensure your cooking surface is well-greased or non-stick to prevent the pancakes from sticking and to achieve a uniform golden brown color.
  • Let the griddle heat up properly – Allow the griddle to reach the right temperature before pouring the batter. This ensures that the pancakes cook evenly and have a nice texture.
  • Quantity – 1 batch of pancakes makes enough for my family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children) for breakfast.
  • Scoop – Use a cookie or ice cream scoop to help evenly divide batter and pour onto griddle.
  • Substitution – A reader named Sam was able to succesffully make this recipe gluten free. Here is what he had to say; “To make these gluten free I just substituted the flour with a Gluten free all purpose flour. Bob’s Mill or Crusteaz brand. They are nice and fluffy.”
  • Create a template for the Grinch face – Switch it up… use a squeeze bottle or a plastic bag with a small corner cut off to create an outline for the Grinch’s face on the griddle. Fill in the outline with the green pancake batter.
  • Heart Sprinkles – Back when I first made this recipe it was difficult to find just heart shaped sprinkles. Now they are more readily available on places like Amazon.

Christmas Breakfast Ideas

Elevate your Christmas morning with a festive feast of delectable breakfast ideas, bringing warmth and joy to the holiday season.

  • muffins on a marble countertop sitting on top of their wrappers.
    Banana Bread Muffins with Almond Flour
  • White plate with two pieces of baked french toast with berries.
    Brioche French Toast Casserole
  • 2 apple cinnamon muffins on a small white plates on a blue and white checkered cloth, and 5 muffins.
    Apple Cinnamon Muffins
  • Blueberry muffin on white and blue cloth with other muffins on wire racks.
    Blueberry Muffins with Crumb Topping

If you are looking for a fun holiday tradition host a Grinch themed breakfast for your kids (or family and friends) this holiday season. I hope everyone enjoys the holiday season, and maybe add a new tradition to your month of festivities!

If you make my Grinch Pancake recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a ⭐ star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!

Don’t forget to FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram, and subscribe to my email list!

Stack of green pancakes with vanilla cream and green whipped cream and heart sprinkles.

Grinch Pancakes

Create your very own Grinch Pancakes at home with green buttermilk pancake batter, cream cheese frosting, green whipped cream and heart sprinkles!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Save Saved! Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Salt
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 314kcal
Author: Katie

Equipment

  • KitchenAid Stand Mixer
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Ladle
  • Griddle
  • Stove Top

Ingredients

Pancakes:

  • 1 cup All-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon White Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • 1 cup Buttermilk
  • 3 tablespoon Milk
  • 1 Egg
  • 2 tablespoons Butter melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 teaspoon Green Food Coloring

For the cream cheese frosting:

  • 8 ounces Cream Cheese softened
  • ½ cup Powdered Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Clean Vanilla Extract
  • 3 tablespoons Water

For the green whipped cream:

  • 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
  • ¾ cups Powdered Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Adams Extract Green Food Coloring

Instructions

For the Pancakes:

  • In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Then add in the buttermilk, milk, eggs, melted butter, and food coloring. Mix for 30 seconds until all ingredients are blended.
  • Spray cooking spray on a griddle or frying pan. Heat at medium heat. Using a small ladle or ice cream scoop (using about ¼ cup batter for each pancake (or less if you want silver dollar pancakes)), pour the batter onto the griddle.
  • Let the pancakes cook until you begin to start to see bubbles form on the top of the batter (about 1-2 minutes). Then flip, and cook an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from griddle and repeat until all the batter is used.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • Mix together using a hand mixer or stand mixer the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and water (start with 2 tablespoons and add additional water as needed to thin frosting). Mix until smooth, and set to the side.

For the Green Whipped Cream:

  • Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, mix the heavy cream, powder sugar, and green food coloring until stiff peaks form (about 3-5 minutes on medium high speed). Place in a piping bag fitted with a star (no. 1) tip.
  • To assemble the pancakes, stack pancakes then drizzle on the cream cheese frosting. Top pancake with green whipped cream. Add heart shaped sprinkles on top. Repeat until all the pancakes are done and enjoy.

Notes

  • Quantity – 1 batch of pancakes makes enough for my family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children) for breakfast.
  • Scoop – Use a cookie or ice cream scoop to help evenly divide batter and pour onto griddle.
  • Substitution – A reader named Sam was able to succesffully make this recipe gluten free. Here is what he had to say; “To make these gluten free I just substituted the flour with a Gluten free all purpose flour. Bob’s Mill or Crusteaz brand. They are nice and fluffy.”

Nutrition

Serving: 1pancake | Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 249mg | Potassium: 147mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 795IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @KatieJasiewicz or tag #katiescucina!

Disclosure: There are affiliate links present in this post. That means if you click on a link and purchase something. I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your continuous support of Katie’s Cucina!

« Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole
Dark Chocolate Cheesecake »

About Katie

Katie is a busy mom of 2 children who loves to feed her family delicious meals that don't take hours to cook! She started her blog 15 years ago as a way to help others get cooking in the kitchen.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emily

    December 12, 2021 at 6:39 pm

    The pancakes are green but nowhere in the recipe or instructions does it say to add green food coloring to it. I’m confused 🙁

    Reply
    • Katie

      December 13, 2021 at 9:40 am

      Hi Emily! Oh my gosh, thank you so much for letting me know! I just added the green food color dye to the recipe card. You add the food dye in the liquid portion of the batter! 🙂

  2. Sam Duncomb

    December 20, 2020 at 9:30 am

    5 stars
    Made the recipe gluten-free and it turned out great for the grandkids.

    Reply
    • Katie

      December 25, 2020 at 11:15 pm

      Sam this is so great to read! Thank you again!

  3. Kayla

    December 06, 2020 at 10:26 am

    5 stars
    So fun, festive, and delicious!!! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Katie

      December 07, 2020 at 9:55 pm

      Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a 5-star review. I’m so happy you love this recipe!

5 from 5 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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