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    Home » Hunger

    Naturally Dyed Heart Shaped Pancakes

    By Lauren on February 13, 2020, Updated April 27, 2021 Leave a Comment

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    heart shaped pancakes on a plate topped with fresh fruit whipped cream and maple syrup
    fork sticking out of red pancakes
    red heart shaped pancakes stacked on a plate
    side angle of red pancakes topped with fresh fruit

    Fluffy small-batch buttermilk pancakes, naturally dyed using beetroot powder and shaped with simple to make foil molds. These heart shaped pancakes are the perfect breakfast - or breakfast for dinner! - for Valentine's Day or any special occasion with your family.

    In search of the perfect way to start Valentine's Day? It's right here and it's super simple. In fact, it's beyond breakfast.

    The kids, Shea in particular, have been obsessed with breakfast for dinner and we are here for it!

    We're loving these heart shaped pancakes because
    • delicious and fluffy pancakes with perfect buttermilk tang
    • smaller recipe means no waste
    • fast
    • wholesome ingredients
    • naturally dyed
    • hands-on for the kids

    That's a lot to love!

    fork sticking out of red pancakes

    Natural Red Food Dye

    There are two ways to get these pancakes that perfect 'I love you' red. You can use red food coloring or vegetables to change color! The veggie route is a really fun way to go and what we're doing here, but if you don't have time to get the ingredients you can always substitute red food coloring.

    To naturally dye the color red, mix beetroot powder into the dry ingredients. When you mix it in at first the color will be a very paint pink, but as the wet ingredients are incorporated the red will darken.

    side angle of two heart shaped red pancakes on a plate

    Alternatively, if you can't get your hands on beetroot powder, you can take 1 small very well cooked beet, mash it or blend it into the buttermilk. Similar to what we do to make this risotto, but instead it's buttermilk for pancakes.

    WILL MY PANCAKES TASTE LIKE BEETS?

    Nope! The beetroot powder is so fine and the flavors of the flour and buttermilk will overpower any remain beet taste. Especially if you're topping your pancakes with all the extras.

    HOW ELSE CAN I USE BEETROOT POWDER?

    Because it's mostly flavorless, you really can add it to anything! Smoothies or cocktails. Chia seed pudding or oats are a great option too!

    WHERE DO I FIND BEETROOT POWDER?

    Any natural foods store should carry it, but if you're more about not having to leave the house you can easily purchase beetroot powder from amazon.

    Making the molds

    If you have heart shaped cookie cutters that's the easiest approach, but if you're doing this on the fly or don't want to spend the money these molds can be easily made out of aluminum foil.

    Be sure to watch the video, there's a tutorial on making these, but here's the overview:

    • Take a piece of aluminum foil that's a little under 1 ½ feet long
    • Fold it into quarters or until it's just over an inch wide
    • Fold it in half the long way (to make the point of the heart)
    • Make the top of the heart by connecting the two ends, fold them over and round out the tops.

    Simple! Cost effective! Easy!

    ingredients for beet dyed pancakes

    When it comes to filling the molds in the pan, you're going to use about ¼ cup of batter per mold and spread it with a spatula. Use the tip of a small spatula or a spoon to release the mold from the batter when it's time to flip the pancakes.

    How to make heart shaped pancakes

    Dreaming of fluffy, cloudlike pancakes? Don't worry you're not alone. If your syrup-soaked breakfast bites have a reputation for being tough, dense or thin here are a few tips for perfect buttermilk pancakes every time.

    DON'T OVERMIX YOUR BATTER!  The batter should be mixed to the point that there are no longer any dry spots, but keep the lumps! If you're mixing out all of the lumps in your batter, you will end up with dense pancakes. Not fluffy clouds.

    Even better, if you make the batter and let it rest for a little bit will get you even fluffier pancakes.

    Whisk together the dry in one bowl and the wet in another before combining. I know it seems tedious to create an extra dish, but it helps to evenly incorporate the ingredients. This recipe has a fair amount of baking powder which helps create those beautiful air pockets in the pancakes during cooking and you want them to even throughout the batter.

    Use a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and butter then pan before each round of pancakes. The butter creates the perfect crisp edges and makes for easy flipping.

    maple syrup pouring over a stack of red pancakes

    Recommended Toppings & Sides

    These heart shaped pancakes are good on their own, but my sweet tooth is already looking for the maple syrup. On our Valentine's Day pancakes we're adding more than just syrup and here are some of our favorite go tos:

    • maple syrup
    • whipped cream
    • fresh fruit
    • mint
    • shaved chocolate
    • chocolate sprinkles
    • candied or raw nuts

    heart shaped pancakes on a plate topped with fresh fruit whipped cream and maple syrup

    If you need a little savory to go with your sweet, this sweet potato hash has all the flavors you need. Don't forget the brunch cocktails to wash them down either! Well for the adults, you can always substitute the prosecco in any recipe with sparkling cider for a fun fancy non-alcoholic cocktail.

    If you're loving this fun recipe, I'd appreciate your hearts below with a rating or a comment! Be sure to tag @hungerthirstplay on social media or add photos of your finished dishes to Pinterest so others can see your beautiful eats!

    Naturally Dyed Heart Shaped Pancakes

    We're in love with these heart shaped pancakes!  Fluffy, buttermilk pancakes in a fun  red heart shape easily done with natural food dye and DIY pancake molds.
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    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: heart shaped pancakes, natural red food dye, red heart pancakes, valentine's day breakfast
    Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
    Total Time: 15 minutes mins
    Servings: 8 heart pancakes
    Calories: 118kcal
    Author: Lauren
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    Ingredients

    • ½ cup all purpose flour
    • ½ cup whole wheat flour
    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 2 tablespoons beetroot powder
    • 1 cup buttermilk
    • 1 egg beaten
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 tablespoons butter melted
    • additional butter for the pan
    • optional toppings: maple syrup (fresh fruit, whipped cream, mint)

    Instructions

    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and beetroot powder.  In a seperate bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, vanilla, and melted butter.
    • Using a rubber spatula, mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.  Do not overmix!  Stir until all the dry ingredients are incorporated, but there should be some lumps in the batter.
    • Make the heart molds using aluminum foil.  Take a piece of aluminum foil that's a little under 1 ½ feet long.  Fold it into quarters or until it's just over an inch wide.  Fold it in half the long way (to make the point of the heart.) . Make the top of the heart by connecting the two ends, fold them over and round out the tops.  Repeat for as many times as you need to fill the pan or the griddle.  For a 13 inch skillet, you'll need 3 molds.
    • Melt butter in the skillet or griddle over medium heat and place the molds in the pan.  Fill each mold with ¼ cup batter and spread gently with a small spatula or the back of a spoon.  When bubbles appear on to the top of the pancakes, carefully remove the molds.  You may need a small spatula to seperate the molds from the sides of the pancakes.  Flip and cook the other side about 2 minutes.
    • Repeat until all the batter is used.  Serve and garnish with your favorite toppings!

    Notes

    • If the beetroot powder is clumpy, give it a quick sift first.
    • If using regular red food dye, mix it into the wet ingredients instead of the dry.  Start with ½ a teaspoon and adjust depending on how vibrant you want the red color.
    • Heart shaped cooking cutters can be used in place of the foil molds.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 171mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 167IU | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Hi, I'm Lauren! This is my slice of the internet to share seasonally-inspired recipes. I live in the heart of New England with my two kiddos. Life is busy AND delicious!

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