Easy Jack-O-Lantern Pancakes

Looking for a fun and easy Halloween breakfast idea? These Easy Jack-O-Lantern Pancakes are the perfect festive treat! Made with fluffy pancakes, vibrant orange food coloring, and a playful jack-o-lantern face using chocolate chips, these pancakes are a hit with kids and adults alike. Whether for a Halloween breakfast, brunch, or a spooky treat, this simple recipe is quick to prepare and sure to impress. Get creative with toppings and variations to make this Halloween breakfast extra special!

Ingredients:

• Pancake batter (from a mix or your favorite homemade recipe)
• Orange food coloring (or a combination of red + yellow food coloring)
• Green food coloring
• Chocolate chips (9 per pancake)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the pancake batter according to your recipe or the instructions on your pancake mix box.
2. Remove about ⅕ of the batter and transfer it to a small bowl.
3. Add a small amount of orange food coloring (or mix red and yellow food coloring) to the remaining batter in the large bowl. Stir thoroughly, adding more food coloring as needed until the desired orange color is achieved.
4. Add green food coloring to the batter in the small bowl and stir to achieve a vibrant green shade.
5. Transfer the green pancake batter to a plastic sandwich bag or piping bag. Push the batter down to one corner of the bag and snip off the tip, leaving a small opening (about ⅕-inch wide). When not in use, prop the bag up to prevent leakage.
6. Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
7. Using a cookie scoop or measuring cup, pour about ⅓ cup of orange pancake batter into the hot skillet. Allow it to set.
8. “Pipe” the green pancake batter into the skillet, forming a square or rectangle at the top of the orange batter to create a pumpkin stem. Fill the shape with more green batter, ensuring it touches the orange batter to keep the stem attached.
9. Cook the pancake until bubbles appear on the top and the edges start to look matte (not glossy). Press 9 chocolate chips into the orange batter to form a jack-o-lantern face, with the pointy ends facing toward the green stem.
10. Carefully flip the pancake with a spatula and cook for about 15 seconds on the other side. Avoid overcooking to prevent the chocolate chips from melting or the jack-o-lantern face from turning brown.
11. Transfer the finished pancake to a plate and keep warm. Repeat the process with the remaining batter.
12. Serve the jack-o-lantern pancakes warm, with your favorite toppings.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Easy Jack-O-Lantern Pancakes are a fun, festive way to celebrate the fall season, especially for Halloween! With vibrant orange pancakes and a cute jack-o-lantern face made from chocolate chips, this recipe is both delicious and visually appealing. The pancakes are soft, fluffy, and customizable, making them a hit with kids and adults alike.

Tips

• If you don’t have piping bags, you can use a plastic sandwich bag as an easy alternative for piping the green batter.
• Make sure the green batter touches the orange batter to keep the stem intact when flipping the pancake.
• Use a spatula to flip the pancakes carefully so the jack-o-lantern face stays intact.

Variations and Substitutions

• Food coloring: If you want a different look, try using purple or yellow food coloring for a unique twist on your jack-o-lantern pancakes.
• Chocolate chips: If you prefer, you can use raisins or small candies to create a different jack-o-lantern face.
• Batter options: Use gluten-free pancake mix or make your pancakes from scratch with whole wheat or almond flour for a healthier alternative.

FAQs

Can I make the pancakes ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the pancakes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply place them in the microwave or warm them up in a skillet.

What should I do if the green batter is too thick?
If your green batter is too thick, add a small amount of water or milk to thin it out to a piping consistency.

Can I use store-bought chocolate chips for the jack-o-lantern face?
Yes, store-bought chocolate chips work perfectly for creating the jack-o-lantern face!

Serving Suggestions

Serve these festive pancakes with a drizzle of maple syrup, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar. For an extra special touch, pair them with a side of fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. These pancakes also make an excellent breakfast or Halloween brunch treat!