Birthday Cake Pancakes

Birthdays were always special in my house growing up. I managed to draw out the celebration and enjoyed the whole month rather than just one day! I got to choose what we had for dinner, and usually had multiple parties with family and friends. Once I became an adult, I began using my birthday as a good excuse to travel, or just have a “me” day. So, as my daughter Scarlett’s first birthday approached, I knew I wanted to make it as special as possible. She won’t remember it, but I sure will!

It's no surprise, but food as played an integral part in celebrating Scarlett since she was born. I traded in the typical monthly milestone blanket for a pizza box, and used the pizza to mark her monthly milestones. Thank goodness Costco pizza is $9.99, because I became their best customer over the course of the year. If you’ve done the math, that means my husband and I have consumed at least 144 slices of pizza this year. Apparently, the average American eats 180 slices of pizza per year, so we did our part to support the data.

In sticking with the food themes, I planned her first birthday as a Taco Bout One party, complete with tacos and margaritas (for the adults!). A good time was had by all!

I’ve worked diligently to introduce Scarlett to as many foods as possible over the last few months. Breakfast is her favorite meal of the day. Scrambled eggs and sliced bananas is her preferred usual, or it was, until she woke up to birthday cake pancakes on her first birthday last week! I’m aware that added sugar isn’t recommended for kids until after age two, so don’t call the nutrition police on me, but I splurged for her big day and I’m so glad that she shares my love of pancakes! These have about 4g of added sugar per pancake, not including the sprinkles, but you can skip the maple syrup and top them with fruit when celebrating younger guests. These pancakes are proof that you can have your cake and eat it too!

Birthday Pancakes

Scroll down for a printable version of this recipe

Active Time: 25 minutes

Serves: 4 people (8 pancakes)

1 cup + 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour

3 Tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch of salt

3 Tablespoons butter, melted

1 egg

1 cup milk

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1 Tablespoon vanilla bean paste

1/3 cup rainbow sprinkles

(you can add almond extract if you like, as well)

1. Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

2. In a medium bowl mix together milk and lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes (you can use buttermilk instead, if you have it).
3. Add eggs, melted butter, vanilla bean paste, and almond extract to the milk.

4. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl of the dry ingredients.
5. Fold the sprinkles into the batter.

6. Heat a non-stick pan (or a griddle) over medium heat.
7. Ladle 1/4 cup of batter onto the pan/griddle and flip when the edges have started to set.

8. Cook another 2 minutes or so, until golden brown.

9. Serve with extra sprinkles, whipped cream, and fruit or get wild and use icing of your choice!

I hope these birthday cake pancakes have inspired you to celebrate someone special. They’re sure to be enjoyed by adults and kids alike. Speaking of kids, did you know that we have released our 2024 kids and teen summer camp classes? Chef Sara Salzinski on our curriculum team was hard at work the last several months developing new menus, and they sound incredible!

Camps start the week of June 10th and run through August 28th. Kids camps are available for ages 7-11, and teen camps are available for ages 12-16. New this year, we have Next Level Teen Boot Camp. This course was developed after teens that took our camps asked “what’s next?”. This program is for teens 17-19. It’s perfect for those leaving for college or looking for more independence. Recipes are approachable and designed to fit in with busy teen life. I would have absolutely loved camps like these when I was a kid, and I can’t wait until Scarlett is old enough to take one.

If you aren’t ready to make summer plans just yet, we have some classes over spring break too! We’re hosting Teen Pasta and Gnocchi on Thursday, March 28 at 11am. We’re also offering Teen Baking and Pastry on Friday, March 29 at 11am. If you’re looking to get in the kitchen with your kids, sign up for Family Night: Trip to Mexico on Wednesday, March 27 at 6pm. 

Yield: 4

Author: Kate Augustin

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Birthday Pancakes

Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 5 MinTotal time: 25 Min

Ingredients

• 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
• 3 Tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 3 Tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla bean paste
• 1/3 cup rainbow sprinkles
• (you can add almond extract if you like, as well)

Instructions

1. Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
2. In a medium bowl mix together milk and lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes (you can use buttermilk instead, if you have it).
3. Add eggs, melted butter, vanilla bean paste, and almond extract to the milk.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl of the dry ingredients.
5. Fold the sprinkles into the batter.
6. Heat a non-stick pan (or a griddle) over medium heat.
7. Ladle 1/4 cup of batter onto the pan/griddle and flip when the edges have started to set.
8. Cook another 2 minutes or so, until golden brown.
9. Serve with extra sprinkles, whipped cream, and fruit or get wild and use icing of your choice!

https://www.thechoppingblock.com/blog/birthday-cake-pancakes