If you’re looking for a special occasion morning treat, these deliciously decadent red velvet griddle cakes are a way to turn breakfast into the main event. Throw on a pecan and cream cheese topping and your breakfast just went from mundane to birthday!
Ingredients:
For the Pancakes:
- 2 cups pancake mix
- 1/4 cups Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 cup skim milk
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- One 1-ounce bottle red food coloring
- Nonstick cooking spray
For the Pecan and Cream Cheese Topping:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 cup toasted, chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 stick Neufchatel or low-fat cream cheese, room temperature
Directions:
Topping:
In a small, nonstick skillet, melt the butter. Once melted, add brown sugar, pecans and vanilla extract. Stir until sugar is nearly dissolved. Remove from the heat.
In a large bowl, stir the warm pecan mixture into the cream cheese.
Pancakes:
In a large bowl, gently whisk together all the pancake ingredients. For nice, fluffy pancakes, the batter will be a little lumpy, be sure not to overmix the batter.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Using a 1/2 cup measuring cup or a small ladle, spoon batter into two rounds. Cook until the edges begin to crisp and the center of the circle starts to bubble, 1 to 2 minutes.
Using a silicone or rubber spatula (metal spatulas will scrape your nonstick pan), flip the cakes and cook on the other side until cakes are firm and browned on the bottom.
Repeat until all the batter is gone, but be careful that the pan doesn’t get too hot and respray the pan if it seems dry. Cover in foil to keep warm if not serving immediately.
Top warm pancakes with a scoop of Pecan and Cream Cheese Topping.
Cook’s Notes:
* If making ahead of time, cover tightly with foil and keep in a 200 degree F oven until ready to eat.
* When making any sort of griddle cakes, give yourself a test cake. Make sure your heat is just right, that your pan is greased enough, and that your timing is right.
