Name: Green Christmas Pancakes Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; 1 ½ cups milk; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon green food coloring; 2 tablespoons unflavored oil (avocado, vegetable or canola); 4 oz cream cheese, softened; ½ cup powdered sugar; ¼ cup whole milk; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; Pinch of salt; Cream cheese glaze; Red heart sprinkles; Whipped cream; Fresh fruit

There’s something really magical about bright green pancakes on Christmas morning—they instantly bring a festive vibe to the table. This Green Christmas Pancakes Recipe isn’t just fun to look at; it’s delightfully fluffy and comes with a creamy, dreamy glaze that makes every bite a little celebration.

A stack of six thick, green pancakes with slightly uneven edges sits on a white plate. On top, there is a generous swirl of white whipped cream dripping slightly down the sides. Small red heart-shaped sprinkles are scattered on the whipped cream and a few rest on the pancakes and plate. The background features a soft, white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Green Christmas Pancakes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Green Christmas Pancakes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Green Christmas Pancakes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made these pancakes, how my kids' eyes lit up seeing those festive green stacks with heart-shaped sprinkles. It’s such a joyful way to kick off Christmas morning, and the flavors truly feel like a holiday treat, not just a breakfast.

Festive and Fun: The bright green color brings the Christmas spirit right to your breakfast plate.
Easy to Make: You don’t need any fancy ingredients, just simple pantry staples and a touch of green food coloring.
Deliciously Fluffy: Thanks to the perfect balance of baking powder and soda, these pancakes come out light and airy every time.
Sweet Cream Cheese Glaze: The glaze adds that extra indulgence that rivals any syrup but with a festive twist.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Green Christmas Pancakes Recipe combines classic pancake ingredients with just the right touch of green food coloring and a luscious cream cheese glaze, creating pancakes that taste as good as they look. Here’s a peek at why each ingredient plays a starring role.

Flat lay of a small pile of all-purpose flour in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl containing baking powder, another small white bowl with baking soda, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl filled with whole milk, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl with light golden vegetable oil, a small white bowl with pale green liquid representing green food coloring, a small white bowl of pure vanilla extract, a block of soft cream cheese on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, a small white bowl of whole milk for the glaze, and a tiny pinch of salt displayed as a few crystals on the surface; all ingredients arranged in perfect symmetry, fresh and natural, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure to these fluffy pancakes.
Granulated sugar: A touch of sweetness that balances the batter.
Baking powder & baking soda: These leavening agents ensure light, airy pancakes that rise beautifully.
Kosher salt: Just enough salt to enhance the flavors without overpowering the sweetness.
Milk: Adds moisture and richness — whole milk works wonderfully here for that smooth batter.
Eggs: Bind ingredients together and give pancakes a tender bite.
Vanilla extract: A subtle, warm flavor that rounds out the taste.
Green food coloring: The festive magic-maker—opt for gel food coloring for richer color without thinning your batter.
Unflavored oil: Keeps the pancakes moist without adding extra butteriness—avocado or vegetable oil are great choices.
Cream cheese: The star of the glaze, adding tangy richness.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths the glaze perfectly.
Whole milk (for glaze): Thins the glaze to just the right consistency for drizzling.
Pinch of salt (for glaze): Balances the sweetness for a more complex flavor.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Green Christmas Pancakes Recipe depending on who I’m serving—sometimes I go full on classic with the cream cheese glaze and sprinkles, other times I try adding fresh cranberries into the batter for a tart pop. You can totally make it your own!

Variation: Adding a handful of fresh or frozen cranberries to the batter gives a lovely contrast and a festive red and green vibe. I tried this last year and everyone asked for the recipe.
Dairy-Free Option: Swap milk for almond or oat milk and replace cream cheese glaze with a simple maple syrup drizzle if you want to keep it vegan-ish.
Minty Twist: Stir in a few drops of peppermint extract for an extra Christmassy kick—I found it’s perfect if you’re serving these at a holiday brunch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Green Christmas Pancakes Recipe

A close-up shows four layered green pancakes stacked on a silver fork. The pancakes have a soft, bubbly texture with a slightly brown edge on the bottom layer. In the blurred background, there is a white plate with more green pancakes topped with white cream and small red sprinkles, all set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whisk Your Dry Ingredients Together

Start by measuring out your flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Whisk them together really well—that way the leavening agents are distributed evenly, which means perfect rise every time. It’s a simple step but one I never skip.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients Until Smooth

In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, vanilla, green food coloring, and oil together. I like using a fork to mix thoroughly to make sure the green color and the eggs are fully blended in, without overworking the batter later on.

Step 3: Combine Gently and Let Rest

Pour the wet ingredients into your dry mix and stir just until everything is combined. Don’t overmix here, or you might end up with tough pancakes instead of fluffy ones. I like to let the batter rest 5–10 minutes while I preheat the pan—that little rest always makes a difference.

Step 4: Cook Your Pancakes to Fluffy Perfection

Heat a griddle or nonstick skillet over medium heat, then grease lightly with butter or cooking spray. I use a small cookie scoop to portion out pancakes about 1.5 tablespoons each—silver dollar size is perfect for the kids! Cook until you see bubbles forming, then flip and cook the other side. It’s a fun, quick process that fills your kitchen with that irresistible pancake aroma.

Step 5: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Glaze

While the pancakes cook, mix together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until you get a smooth glaze. I like to make this a little thicker so it drizzles luxuriously over the stack but still melts into each bite.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few little tricks that make this Green Christmas Pancakes Recipe shine every time. The biggest game changer? Letting your batter rest and using gel coloring instead of liquid.

Gel Food Coloring Over Liquid: It gives a more vibrant green without watering down the batter.
Don’t Overmix Batter: A lightly lumpy batter helps keep the pancakes tender and fluffy.
Rest the Batter: I found letting it sit 5–10 minutes helps the gluten relax and the leavening activate.
Use Medium Heat: Cooking too hot can burn pancakes outside while leaving them raw inside, so I keep my pan steady at medium.

How to Serve Green Christmas Pancakes Recipe

Green Christmas Pancakes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m all about the cream cheese glaze for these pancakes—it adds just the right tang and sweetness combo. I also sprinkle red heart-shaped sprinkles on top for that festive look, and a dollop of whipped cream just makes it feel extra special. Fresh fruit like strawberries or pomegranate seeds add a lovely fresh burst and color contrast.

Side Dishes

I often serve these pancakes with a simple side of crispy bacon or sausage to balance the sweetness. A warm cup of spiced cider or peppermint tea feels like the perfect holiday pairing, too.

Creative Ways to Present

At our last Christmas brunch, I stacked the pancakes in little towers, interspersed with cream cheese glaze and topped with sprinkles and fresh mint leaves. It made such a pretty centerpiece and was a big hit with guests!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your pancakes cool completely, stack them with parchment paper in between and store in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for 3-4 days—which is perfect if you want to prep ahead for holiday mornings.

Freezing

I freeze extras by first laying the pancakes flat on wax paper-lined trays, freezing until firm, then stacking them in freezer bags. This way, they don’t stick together and thaw individually. I've had great results keeping them frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop pancakes in the toaster oven or microwave covered with a damp paper towel—this keeps them moist and fluffy, forgetting they’re not fresh off the griddle.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use natural food coloring instead of artificial green?

Natural green food coloring can be used, but keep in mind it tends to fade during cooking and may change color when the batter warms, leading to less vibrant pancakes. For best results, gel or liquid artificial coloring provides a brighter green.

What’s the best way to keep pancakes fluffy?

The key is to avoid overmixing your batter and to let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before cooking. Cooking on medium heat prevents burning outside while ensuring they cook through evenly.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that’s suitable for baking. Just be sure the blend contains xanthan gum or a similar binder for best texture.

How do I store and reheat leftover pancakes?

Let your pancakes cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For reheating, microwave covered with a damp paper towel or use a toaster oven to maintain their fluffy texture. Freeze leftovers for longer storage.

Final Thoughts

This Green Christmas Pancakes Recipe has become a sweet little tradition in my family—it’s simple enough for a cozy morning but special enough to feel like a holiday event. I hope you enjoy making it as much as we do and that it brings a sprinkle of festive fun to your Christmas breakfast table too!