CINNAMON ROLL PANCAKES

These Cinnamon Roll Pancakes combine the best of two breakfast favorites into one delicious, indulgent dish. Swirled with a cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with a rich cream cheese glaze, they’re sure to be a hit with everyone!

Ingredients:

For Pancakes:

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Cinnamon Filling:

1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Glaze:

4 tablespoons butter
2 ounces cream cheese
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Prepare Cinnamon Filling:

In a medium bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth.
Scoop the filling into a small zip-top bag and set aside for later use.

2. Prepare Pancake Batter:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Whisk in the milk, oil, and egg until just combined. (Alternatively, you can use a boxed pancake mix, prepared according to package directions.)

3. Prepare Cream Cheese Glaze:

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the butter and cream cheese until melted (about 30-40 seconds).
Whisk the melted mixture until smooth, then add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully combined. Set aside.

4. Cook the Pancakes:

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat and lightly grease with non-stick cooking spray.
Scoop about 1/2 cup of pancake batter onto the skillet for each pancake.
Snip the corner of your zip-top bag with the cinnamon filling and carefully pipe a spiral of the filling onto the surface of each pancake.
When bubbles start to form on the surface of the pancake (about 1-2 minutes), gently flip it over with a spatula and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until golden brown.

5. Serve:

Transfer the cooked pancakes to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while you finish cooking the remaining pancakes.
When ready to serve, drizzle the warm cream cheese glaze over each pancake.

Tips:

Cinnamon Filling: Be sure to cook the pancakes on medium-low heat to avoid burning the cinnamon filling.
Glaze Consistency: If the cream cheese glaze is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Make-Ahead: The cinnamon filling and cream cheese glaze can be made ahead of time. Simply store them in the refrigerator and reheat before using. This makes it easy to prepare a quick breakfast when you’re short on time.
Piping the Cinnamon Filling: For a more even swirl, make sure to snip a small corner of the zip-top bag and gently squeeze the filling onto the pancake batter. If the hole is too large, the swirl might be too thick and spread unevenly.
Customize: Feel free to get creative with add-ins like chopped pecans, raisins, or a dash of nutmeg in the cinnamon filling for extra flavor.

FAQs

1. Can I make the batter ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pancake batter a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before using.

2. Can I freeze these pancakes?
Absolutely! To freeze, let the pancakes cool completely, then stack them with parchment paper between each pancake and store in a zip-top freezer bag. To reheat, pop them in the microwave or a toaster oven.

3. How do I avoid burning the cinnamon swirl?
The key is to cook the pancakes on medium-low heat. The cinnamon-sugar mixture can burn easily at higher temperatures, so it’s best to cook them slowly for the perfect result.

4. Can I make a healthier version?
You can make a few substitutions to lighten up the recipe, such as using whole wheat flour, reducing the amount of sugar in the filling, or using a low-fat cream cheese in the glaze.

5. What if I don’t have cream cheese for the glaze?
You can substitute the cream cheese with Greek yogurt or simply make a classic powdered sugar glaze using powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and vanilla extract.

These Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are the perfect treat for a weekend breakfast or brunch. With their gooey cinnamon swirl and decadent cream cheese glaze, they’re sure to become a family favorite!