Cinnamon Pancakes

These cinnamon pancakes will turn any breakfast into a culinary feast full of flavors. Inspired by the popular cinnamon rolls, these cinnamon roll pancakes are a decadent dessert that’s incredibly easy to make.

Pancakes, their primordial form, are thousands of years old and have roots in many cultures around the world. Although each culture has its own version, the basic idea – a thin and flat dough, baked on a hot surface – remains unchanged.

Today’s cinnamon pancake recipe is inspired by the famous American Cinnamon Rolls or Cinnamon Swirl Buns. These have origins in Scandinavia, Sweden, in particular, known for its version of cinnamon rolls, known as “kanelbullar“. In the 20th century, these Scandinavian delicacies arrived in America, where they were embraced and adapted in various ways, including in the form of cinnamon pancakes.

If you want to explore more of the wonderful land of pancakes, I also recommend my recipes for Dutch pancakes, Dutch mini-pancakes, French pancakes, Japanese pancakes and American sheet pan pancakes.

Topping Ideas for Cinnamon Pancakes

1. Sweet Cream Cheese:
   • A creamy and rich topping that contrasts wonderfully with the spiced flavor of cinnamon. You can prepare this cream by combining mascarpone cheese or cow’s cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla. By adding this topping these cinnamon bun pancakes will resemble even more the cinnamon roll recipe that served as an inspiration.
2. Fresh fruits:
   • Add a pop of color and a fresh taste to pancakes with pieces of fruit such as blueberries, strawberries, bananas or berries. Fruits not only add flavor, but also an additional nutritional intake. Also, if you want a Fall flavor, try making apple cinnamon pancakes by adding ripe apples to the mix.
3. Nuts and Seeds:
   • For a crunchy texture and rich flavor, try chopped nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts or pecans. Flax or chia seeds can also add a boost of nutrients and a delicious crunch.
4. Maple Syrup or Honey:
   • A drop of natural sweetness from maple syrup or honey can sweeten and accentuate the taste of pancakes. They add an extra layer of flavor without being overly sweet.
5. Chocolate cream:
   • A layer of chocolate cream or Nutella can transform cinnamon pancakes into a decadent and luxurious dessert. Choose a variant with a higher cocoa content for a deep and intense taste.
6. Caramel syrup:
   • A homemade or store-bought caramel syrup can bring a rich butterscotch flavor to pancakes, thus completing the flavor profile.
7. Chantilly cream:
   • For an airy and light finish, Chantilly cream or whipped cream can be an excellent choice. This adds a creamy texture and enriches the taste profile of these cinnamon roll pancakes.

Suggestions for gluten-free or vegan versions

To make cinnamon pancakes more accessible for any type of diet, you can replace certain ingredients, adapting the recipe to different dietary needs:

1. Gluten Free:
   • Replace traditional wheat flour with gluten-free flour, such as almond flour, coconut flour or a gluten-free flour mix available in stores. Check the labels to make sure they are suitable for people with gluten intolerance or sensitivity. Explore other gluten-free pancake recipes on the blog!
2. Without Lactose:
   • Replace regular milk with lactose-free milk or a variety of plant-based milks, such as almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk or rice milk. Also, use lactose-free butter or coconut oil for cooking. You can also try my vegan butter recipe.
3. Vegan:
   • For a vegan version, replace eggs with flax “eggs” (1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds and 3 tablespoons of water for each egg) or with another vegan egg alternative. It also replaces milk and butter with the previously mentioned vegetable options. Don’t forget to try other vegan pancake recipes from the blog!
4. No Sugar:
   • Replace refined sugar with alternative sweeteners, such as agave syrup, maple syrup, honey (for non-vegans), or non-caloric sweeteners such as stevia or erythritol.
5. Nutritive Additions:
   • Incorporate additional proteins by adding protein powder to the dough mix or use flour with a higher protein content. Also, adding chia seeds or ground them can provide a boost of omega-3 fatty acids.

These substitutions allow you to customize this cinnamon swirl pancakes recipe according to specific dietary needs, without compromising the taste or texture of the cinnamon pancakes. Dare to experiment and discover the perfect combination for you or your family!

Recipe for cinnamon pancakes