Colorful Rainbow Pancakes Recipe
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What’s Up, Hungry People
They say April showers bring May flowers, but our spring got a late start this year. So, I decided to brighten up the indoors with these vibrant Rainbow Pancakes!
Buttermilk pancakes are my personal favorite. Regular flapjacks just don’t live up to the light and fluffy interior of their buttermilk counterparts. The maple icing is totally optional for this recipe, but it’s always a welcome addition to my pancakes.
The key to keeping these pancakes bright and colorful once they’ve been cooked is to go low and slow with the heat. Pancakes don’t need high heat to cook through, but it’s tricky to cook them without their signature golden sear. However, it can certainly be done over medium-low heat and with a watchful eye. Once the edges begin to bubble, it’s time to flip.
Even if spring arrived on time in your state, these rainbow pancakes can bring the sunshine back into your life any time of the year.
Here’s What You Need
- Flour: Provides the base structure for the pancakes.
- Baking soda: Helps the pancakes rise and become fluffy.
- Baking powder: Adds extra lift for a light texture.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning.
- Buttermilk: Adds tangy flavor and moisture.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
- Butter (melted): Adds flavor and keeps the pancakes moist.
- Assorted food coloring: Creates the vibrant rainbow colors.
- Powdered sugar: Used for the maple glaze.
- Maple syrup: Adds sweetness to the glaze.
Let’s Cook
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter until you get a thick batter. It should run slowly off your spoon without breaking. If it’s too thin, add a bit more flour. If it’s too thick, add a splash of water or milk to get the right consistency.
Divide and Color
Separate the batter into smaller bowls – as many as you have food coloring options. Add 2-3 drops of food coloring per bowl and stir until the colors are completely combined.
Maple Glaze
In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup and powdered sugar until a glaze forms. If it’s too thick, add a bit more maple syrup.
Cook the Pancakes
Use a non-stick griddle or pan if you have one. It’s best not to grease the pan first, but if you don’t have non-stick, a light spray of cooking oil or butter will work.
Use a ¼ cup to measure out individual pancakes onto the pan. Don’t overcrowd them; they’ll expand a bit as they cook.
Flip and Finish
Keep the heat low. If the pancakes are browning too quickly, lower the heat a bit more. Look for bubbles forming on the surface – that’s your signal to flip! Cook each side for about 3-5 minutes.
Keep Warm (Optional)
If you want to keep the pancakes warm before serving, set your oven to 250°F and place the cooked pancakes on a baking sheet. This keeps them warm without cooking them further. Don’t leave them in the oven for more than 15-20 minutes.
Troubleshooting and Tips for Rainbow Pancakes
- Keep the heat low: Cooking over medium-low heat prevents the pancakes from browning too quickly and keeps the colors vibrant. If your pancakes brown too fast, lower the heat a bit more.
- Check batter consistency: The batter should run slowly off your spoon. If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk or water. If it’s too thin, add a bit more flour.
- Avoid overmixing: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can make the pancakes tough.
- Watch for bubbles: Flip the pancakes when you see bubbles forming on the surface. This ensures they’re cooked evenly.
- Color separation: Use separate bowls for each color to avoid mixing. Stir the food coloring in thoroughly for an even color.
- Serving tip: Keep the cooked pancakes warm in a 250°F oven. Place them on a baking sheet, but don’t leave them in for more than 15-20 minutes to avoid drying out.
Even if spring arrived on time in your state, these rainbow pancakes can bring the sunshine back into your life any time of the year! Stack them in rainbow order or get creative with your own patterns. The maple glaze adds a sweet touch that pairs perfectly with the fluffy buttermilk pancakes. If you prefer, you can also serve them with a slab of butter and plain syrup. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just to brighten up a regular morning, these colorful pancakes are sure to be a hit.
Rainbow Pancakes
Ingredients
FOR PANCAKES:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup sugar
- 3 cups buttermilk
- 2 eggs whisked
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- assorted food coloring
FOR MAPLE GLAZE:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat a griddle or pan over medium-low heat – about 325-335°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter until a thick batter forms. It should run slowly off your spoon without breaking. If it is too thin, add more flour. If it is too thick, add a splash of water or milk to reach the right consistency.
- Separate the batter into smaller bowls – as many as you have options for food colorings. Add 2-3 drops of food coloring per bowl and stir until the colors are completely combined.
- In a small bowl, stir together the maple syrup and powdered sugar until a glaze forms. Add more maple syrup if it is too thick.
- Use a non-stick griddle or pan if you have one. It's best to not grease the pan first, but if you don't have non-stick, just a very light spray of cooking oil or butter will suffice.
- Use a ¼ cup to measure out individual pancakes onto the pan. Don't overcrowd the pancakes, they will expand a bit as they cook.
- Keep the heat low. If the pancakes are browning too quickly, reduce the heat by a few degrees. The pancakes should bubble lightly when they are ready to flip, about 3-5 minutes per pancake.
- Optional: To keep the pancakes warm prior to serving, set the oven to 250°F and place the cooked pancakes on a baking sheet. This will keep the pancakes warm without cooking them further. Do not leave in the oven for more than 15-20 minutes.
- Stack the pancakes in ROY G BIV order – or however you like! Drizzle the maple glaze over the pancakes or serve with a slab of butter and plain syrup. Enjoy!
