These adorable Santa Pancakes are the best start to a magical Christmas morning! With fluffy buttermilk pancakes as the base and festive toppings like fresh whipped cream, strawberries, and chocolate chips (or any of your family’s favortite pancake toppings)! Perfect for a holiday breakfast or as part of a make-your-own Santa Pancake Charcuterie Board, this recipe is guaranteed to bring smiles to the table!
Try these sides to round out this sweet holiday brunch; Bacon (in a Toaster Oven), Air Fryer Hash Browns, and Cheesy Scrambled Eggs!
My boys love food served on a charcuterie board and any build-your-own situation, which is why I decided to serve these Santa Pancakes family-style! Kids love serving themselves and having free rein with toppings! My boys love making their own Santas and comparing with their brothers! And… I can just sit back and relax! I hope your family and friends love this fun interactive breakfast too! Add these Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies, Christmas Oreos and Pretzel Christmas Crack to the holiday brunch party spread to add to the festivities!
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Recipe Highlights
- Uses pantry staples or your favorite pancake mix!
- Toppings are customizable.
- Fun holiday activity for kids and brunch guests!
- Easily set up as a DIY Santa Pancake Board for a fun interactive brunch!
Ingredient Notes
- Buttermilk Pancakes: Start with my fluffy homemade recipe (the pancake batter is made made from (all-purpose flour, buttermilk, eggs, vegetable oil, baking powder, baking baking soda and butter for cooking) or use your favorite mix.
- Fresh Whipped Cream: For Santa’s beard, hat trim, and pompom. Pipe or spoon it on. Fresh whipped cream keeps it’s shape longer but feel free to use whipped cream spray for ease. The Santa’s will melt faster though.
- Sliced Strawberries: The red Santa hat base. Slice lengthwise for easy layering.
- Strawberry Tip: The tiny tip of the strawberry becomes Santa’s nose!
- Mini Marshmallows: Add fluff and cuteness to the hat trim or pom pom.
- Chocolate Chips: For Santa’s sweet little eyes.
How to Make Santa Pancakes
- Step 1: Place pancake on a plate.
- Step 2: Add chocolate chip eyes.
- Step 3: Add sliced strawberries to form Santa’s hat.
- Step 4: Pipe whipped cream hat trim and pom pom. Embellish with mini marshmallows.
- Step 5: Pipe Santa’s beard.
- Step 6: Pipe Santa’s eyebrows and moustache.
Charlotte’s Tips for Christmas Morning: Santa Pancakes
- Let pancakes cool a bit before decorating so the whipped cream doesn’t melt.
- Pipe whipped cream with a star tip for extra beard fluffiness. We like using the Wilton Dessert Decorator Plus but you can use a spoon for ease.
- Prep toppings in bowls and let kids (or guests!) assemble their own Santas.
- Use a large wooden board or tray for the DIY pancake bar.
- Add extra fruit like blueberries, bananas, or raspberries for more options!
Recipe Variations
- Make mini Santas with silver dollar pancakes for a kid-friendly buffet.
- Add a dusting of powdered sugar “snow” on top before serving.
- Use banana slices for the beard or candy eyes or blueberries instead of chocolate chips for the eyes.
- Try flavored whipped cream, peppermint or vanilla bean!
Recipe Substitutions
- Use dairy-free whipped topping if needed.
- Swap in gluten-free pancakes for allergy-friendly guests.
Storage Tips
If you’re prepping ahead, store undecorated pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a toaster or oven before decorating. Decorated pancakes are best enjoyed right away, but if you have extras, refrigerate and enjoy as a fun little snack!
Recipe
Santa Pancakes
These festive Santa Pancakes start with the fluffiest old-fashioned buttermilk base and are transformed into cute little Santas with whipped cream beards, strawberry hats, and chocolate chip eyes! They’re the perfect make-ahead-friendly Christmas breakfast idea and a total hit with kids. Set up a build-your-own Santa Pancake Charcuterie Board for a magical, memory-making holiday brunch!
Ingredients
- 1 batch Fluffiest Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Pancakes
- 1 cup Fresh whipped cream for beard, hat trim, and pompom
- 1 cup Sliced strawberries for Santa’s hat and nose
- 1 cup Mini marshmallows optional, for beard and trim
- 1 cup Chocolate chips for eyes
- Maple Syrup for serving
Instructions
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Make pancakes. Allow to cool before decorating.
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Place pancake on a plate.
-
Add chocolate chip eyes.
-
Add sliced strawberries to form Santa’s hat.
-
Pipe whipped cream hat trim and pom pom. Embellish with mini marshmallows.
-
Pipe Santa’s beard.
-
Pipe Santa’s eyebrows and moustache. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Let pancakes cool a bit before decorating so the whipped cream doesn’t melt.
- Pipe whipped cream with a star tip for extra beard fluffiness. We love using the Wilton Dessert Decorator Plus Or just use a spoon for ease.
- Prep toppings in bowls and let kids (or guests!) assemble their own Santas.
- Use a large wooden board or tray for the DIY pancake bar.
- Add extra fruit like blueberries, bananas, or raspberries for more options!
I hope you love these Santa Claus Pancakes. If you make this recipe, leave a comment and a rating! I’d love to know how you liked it. Enjoy, xoxo!
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