Oh, Christmas morning! That feeling is just pure magic, isn’t it? There’s nothing quite like waking up to the smell of something special cooking, and this year, I’ve got just the thing to make your holiday breakfast absolutely sparkle: Christmas Tree Pancakes! Trust me, these aren’t just any pancakes; they’re stacks of fluffy, fluffy green goodness shaped like little trees. My nieces absolutely lost their minds the first time I made them, all giggles and wide eyes, and that’s exactly the kind of joy I think of when I make these – just like those cozy Christmas mornings spent in my grandmother’s kitchen back in Asheville. Lilya Lawson knows a thing or two about creating those warm, family moments with food, and these pancakes are all about that Southern charm and holiday spirit!
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Tree Pancakes
Seriously, these are a no-brainer for a magical Christmas morning!
- Super Easy: Even with the fun tree shape, these come together way faster than you’d think.
- Visually Stunning: Who doesn’t love a pancake that looks like a Christmas tree? It’s instant wow-factor!
- Family Fun: The kids will have a blast helping decorate them (or just gobbling them up!).
- Festive Flavor: That classic pancake taste, but with a fun holiday twist. Perfect for getting everyone in the Christmas spirit!
Gather Your Ingredients for Christmas Tree Pancakes
Alright, let’s get our ingredients lined up so we can whip up some Christmas magic! You’ll want to grab your trusty Bisquick mix – it’s my go-to for easy, fluffy pancakes every single time, especially when we’re aiming for Christmas morning ease. We’ll need some milk and a few eggs to get the batter just right. Now, for that festive green color, I love using a paste food coloring because it gives you a really vibrant hue without making the batter watery. If you can’t find paste, a good gel would work too! And of course, we’ll need some powdered sugar and a little more milk for our sweet, snowy glaze on top. Oh, and don’t forget your favorite sprinkles or little candies – consider them your edible ornaments!
Essential Equipment for Making Christmas Tree Pancakes
Alright, let’s talk tools! To make these Christmas Tree Pancakes look their best, you’ll want a good nonstick griddle – that’s my secret weapon for easy flipping. If you don’t have a griddle, a trusty 12-inch skillet works just fine. Grab your measuring cups and spoons, a whisk for getting that batter perfectly smooth (Bisquick can sometimes be a bit clumpy!), and a couple of bowls to mix things up. Oh, and a ladle or a good pouring cup is super handy for getting those different-sized circles onto the griddle. Having these ready makes the whole process a breeze!
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Christmas Tree Pancakes
Alright, let’s get down to business and make these pancake trees come to life! It might sound a little fancy, but trust me, it’s easier than you think, and the results are just darling.
Preparing the Pancake Batter for Christmas Tree Pancakes
First things first, let’s get our batter ready. In a big ol’ bowl, whisk together your Bisquick mix, milk, eggs, and here’s where the magic starts – a little bit of that green paste food coloring! Stir it all up until it’s nice and smooth. You don’t want any lumps! If you’re using paste coloring, start with a teaspoon or so and add more until you get a lovely festive green. It should look like a happy Christmas tree, not a swamp monster!
Cooking the Different Sized Pancakes
Now for the fun part – making the tree shape! You’ll need to make a total of 8 pancakes for each tree, and they need to be different sizes. It sounds tricky, but I promise it’s just about getting the amount of batter right. For your biggest pancake, pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto your hot griddle or skillet. Then, make progressively smaller ones: pour about 3 tablespoons for the next, then 2, then 1. Keep the griddle at a steady medium-high heat, around 375°F is perfect. You’ll know they’re ready to flip when you see bubbles forming on top and the edges looking a little dry. Flip those golden beauties and cook the other side for just a minute or two until they’re light golden brown. Keep them warm while you make the rest!
Making the Snowy Vanilla Glaze
While your pancakes are cooking or staying warm, whip up the glaze! It’s super simple. Just grab a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and a few tablespoons of milk. Keep adding milk, just a teaspoon at a time, until it’s smooth and has a nice drizzly consistency. You want it thin enough to pour easily but not so thin that it just soaks into the pancakes. It’ll look like fresh snow!
Assembling and Decorating Your Christmas Tree Pancakes
And now, the grand finale! Take your stack of 8 different-sized pancakes and carefully stack them on a plate, starting with the biggest at the bottom and working your way up to the smallest. It’ll look just like a tiny Christmas tree! Now, drizzle that snowy glaze all over the top and let it drip down the sides like yummy icicles. If you’re feeling fancy, scatter on some colorful candy sprinkles for “ornaments,” or maybe pop a little star-shaped candy or a tiny slice of pineapple right on top like a tree topper. Pure holiday perfection!
Tips for Perfect Christmas Tree Pancakes Every Time
Making these Christmas Tree Pancakes is a blast, and I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way to make sure they turn out perfectly every time. Don’t worry if your first few look a little wonky – that’s part of the kitchen fun!
Achieving the Right Batter Consistency
The secret to those nice, round pancakes is the batter! If it seems too thick and sticky, just whisk in another tablespoon or two of milk until it flows smoothly. If it’s too thin and watery, add a little more Bisquick, just a tablespoon at a time, until you get a nice, thick-but-pourable consistency. You want it to spread just a little, not run all over the place.
Keeping Pancakes Warm While You Cook
So, you’ve got a stack of beautiful green pancakes, but you need to make more for the tree. Pop them onto a baking sheet and slide them into a barely-warm oven (like 200°F or 90°C) while you finish cooking the others. This keeps them toasty warm and ready for assembly without getting them soggy. Perfect!
Creative Decoration Ideas for Your Christmas Tree Pancakes
Okay, this is where the real holiday magic happens! Besides sprinkles and candies, I love using little fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries for colorful “ornaments.” Christmas-colored M&Ms are also a big hit! And for that perfect tree topper, a thin slice of pineapple cut into a star shape is just divine – it adds a little tang and looks so festive. You can even use white frosting to draw little presents around the base of the tree!
Serving and Storage for Your Holiday Breakfast
Okay, so you’ve made these gorgeous Christmas Tree Pancakes! When they’re all stacked and decorated, serve them up right away while they’re warm and fluffy. They look absolutely stunning piled high on a festive plate. If you have any leftover pancakes – which is unlikely, they disappear fast! – you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2-3 days. Just pop them in the toaster or microwave for a quick reheat. And hey, if you’re planning ahead for an easier Christmas morning, check out my tips for Christmas breakfast ideas make ahead – you might be able to prep some components before the big day!
Frequently Asked Questions about Christmas Tree Pancakes
Got some burning questions about making these festive trees? I’ve got you covered!
Can I make the batter for Christmas Tree Pancakes ahead of time?
You sure can! Whisk up the batter and keep it covered in the fridge overnight. Just give it a good stir before you start cooking, and if it seems a little thick, add a splash more milk. It might not be *quite* as fluffy as freshly made, but it’ll still be delicious!
What are some healthy Christmas breakfast ideas?
Totally! While these pancakes are a treat, you can make them a bit healthier. Try topping them with fresh fruit like berries or a sprinkle of chopped nuts instead of candy. You could also look into our other healthy chicken recipes for lighter options earlier in the week. For these pancakes, focusing on fresh fruit “ornaments” is a great way to go about it!
How do I get perfectly round pancakes for stacking?
The key is to use a consistent amount of batter for each pancake and let it spread naturally. Use a measuring cup or a ladle for each pour. Don’t spread the batter around with your spatula! Just let it form its own circle on the hot griddle. Also, make sure your griddle is nice and level.
Nutritional Information for Christmas Tree Pancakes
Just a little heads-up, these yummy Christmas Tree Pancakes are estimated per serving, which we’re calling one whole tree stacked and decorated. Keep in mind that the exact amounts can change a bit depending on the specific ingredients you use and how generously you add those fun toppings!
- Serving Size: 1 tree
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Protein: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
Share Your Festive Creations!
I just *love* seeing your kitchen creations! When you make these Christmas Tree Pancakes, please leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out. And if you snap a picture, tag me on social media so I can see your beautiful, festive trees! It truly makes my day to see you sharing these special holiday moments with your families. You can also reach out via our contact page or check out our terms of use if you have any questions. We always appreciate your feedback!
