Valentine Heart-Shaped Pancakes (Printable)

Light and fluffy heart-shaped pancakes with fresh berries and maple syrup drizzle, ideal for a romantic morning.

# What you'll need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 3/4 cup buttermilk
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (plus more for cooking)
09 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Toppings

10 - 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
11 - 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
12 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup
13 - Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well blended.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined.
03 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix; small lumps are acceptable and will result in lighter pancakes.
04 - Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and brush lightly with melted butter.
05 - For heart-shaped pancakes, place a mold on the skillet and ladle about 1/4 cup batter into it. Cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbles form on surface. Remove mold, flip carefully, and cook 1-2 minutes until golden brown. For standard pancakes, pour batter directly onto skillet.
06 - Repeat with remaining batter, adding more butter to the pan as needed to prevent sticking. Keep cooked pancakes warm on a plate covered with foil.
07 - Stack pancakes on serving plates, top with fresh strawberries and raspberries, drizzle with maple syrup, and dust with powdered sugar if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • These pancakes taste like restaurant quality but come together in under 30 minutes
  • The heart shape adds romance without requiring any fancy decorating skills
  • Buttermilk creates the most tender, fluffy texture that still holds its shape beautifully
02 -
  • Overmixing the batter creates tough pancakes, so stop as soon as you no longer see dry flour
  • The first pancake is always the tester, so use it to adjust your heat before the hearts
  • Room temperature ingredients blend more easily and create a more consistent batter
03 -
  • Let the batter rest for 5 minutes before cooking for even fluffier results
  • Real butter in the pan creates a better golden crust than oil or cooking spray

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