Happy Galentine’s Day! No, that isn’t a typo! Those of you who are fan’s of the awesome show, Parks & Recreation, know what I’m talking about. Galentine’s Day is celebrated on February 13th and is a day for women to leave significant others behind and hang out with their lady friends and have breakfast (if your S/O is also a lady, you can bring her along too) – ladies celebrating ladies! That’s my kind of holiday – breakfast foods and supportive female friendships! And is there anything more wonderful than female friendships? Or just women supporting other women? Us ladies have got to look out for each other, particularly when a lot of the world is constantly trying to tear us down by telling us we’re too fat or too thin, we wear too much make up or not enough, be attractive but don’t have any self confidence lest you be vain, don’t be a prude but don’t be too sexual either… the list goes on! It can be hard being woman sometimes, so today is about celebrating the unequivocal love and support that empowered women give other women – from genuine compliments given without strings attached, to unwavering emotional support, to dedicated commitment to friendship, and everything in between. Uteruses before duderuses!
“We need to remember what’s important in life: friends, pancakes, work. Or pancakes, friends, work. Doesn’t matter, but work is third.” – Leslie Knope (kind of)
I thought about baking something for Valentine’s Day but I don’t really care for the holiday, but Galentine’s Day I am all over! And what better way to celebrate than with red velvet pancakes? They’re full of love and yummy goodness! I wanted to cut them into heart shapes but my heart cutter seems to have gone walkabouts, so questionable rounds it is! And you can’t have red velvet without cream cheese, so it has a sweet cream cheese topping to really push it over the tasty top.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and that doesn’t stop being true on special holidays, these red velvet pancakes will definitely be a winner for your loved one(s) whichever of the two loved filled holidays you’re celebrating – or both! I do encourage you to try celebrating Galentine’s Day though, it doesn’t have to be on February 13th – just any morning you and your lady friends can get together and enjoy breakfast foods and good company – and you’ll totally impress them with these yummy pancakes! I won’t be offended if you choose to make these for Valentine’s Day breakfast though, your S/O will be a very lucky person! Valentine’s Day also happens to be my cat’s birthday, which is it’s own reason to celebrate
And hey, if you’re single this Valentine’s Day and not too happy about it, these bright and delicious pancakes will be sure to cheer up your morning and make the day ahead a lot easier! Although I do feel obliged to tell you that you are awesome and you don’t need another person to validate how awesome you are, so treat yourself this weekend and celebrate you, you deserve it! P.S. It’s totally okay to want somebody to share life with you in a romantic way though, just know you’re wonderful by yourself too!
Now, let’s talk about these pancakes – they’re soooo good. They’re moist and fluffy with a wonderful vanilla flavour and that subtle hint of chocolate – it really is like eating red velvet cake for breakfast, but in a less frowned upon form than a big slice of cake (I fully support cake for breakfast though). And the sweet and tangy cream cheese topping drizzled all over compliments the buttery sweet pancakes perfectly, this really is a mouth watering breakfast or brunch. And the colour is just so fun and festive, they’re sure to make you and your loved ones smile – what a fun, special breakfast for the kids too!
To make these amazing pancakes buttermilk is an absolute must, there’s no way around it I’m afraid – but worry not, it’s easy to make your own, just add 1 tbsp of lemon juice or white vinegar to each 500ml of milk, whisk and let stand for 5-10 minutes, then you’re good to go! The acidity combined with the bicarb/baking soda is what makes these pancakes so fluffy, and it also gives you that unique red velvet taste! These pancakes have red food dye in them to make them a fabulous bright red, but the first hint of redness comes from the acidity of the vinegar reacting with the cocoa powder – you can make red velvet without need for dye at all (it just won’t be very bright!).
I only wish my photos did these pancakes justice, my photography skills were lacking more than usual when trying to take these I don’t know what it was! I bought a tripod and a wire shutter release for my camera and this was my first time using them, I think I just need to get the hang of them a little better maybe. I also need a better staging area, but that’s always been true! I’ll get there eventually, I’m sure. In the mean time, you’ll just have to make these pancakes yourself so you can fully appreciate them in all their glory – see what I did there?!
I’m going to bring these delicious pancakes along to Fiesta Friday today to celebrate Galentine’s Day with all those wonderful people (if you’re not a lady, you can have some of these pancakes as a Valentine’s treat instead!) So happy Galentine’s Day y’all and happy Valentine’s Day for tomorrow. An extra special Galentine’s greeting to our wonderful host Angie and co-hosts this week – Suzanne and Sue 😀
I’d love to see what you’re up to this weekend on social media, you can find me on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook
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- 250g plain flour (all purpose)
- 40g cocoa powder, sifted
- 70g caster sugar
- 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 280ml buttermilk
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 100 unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (plus extra for greasing griddle)
- Red food colouring, approx 1tsp gel
- 100g cream cheese
- 100g icing sugar (powdered/confectioners)
- 1 tbsp milk
- Put the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, bicarb and salt on a bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla and vinegar. Add butter (it can be warm, but not hot) and whisk again to combine.
- Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk to combine well. Add the food colouring, how much you add depends on what type you use and how bright you want it, add a little at a time until you get your desired colour. The colour of the pancakes will turn out pretty much the same colour as the batter, so it's a good indicator.
- Heat griddle/pan on a medium heat/flame and grease with a little butter. Pour batter on griddle, use about 1/4 cup batter per pancake, and cook for about 1 and a half minutes, when the edges are bubbly and starting to look dull, flip and cook for another 1 and a half minutes.
- Keep pancakes in warm oven while cooking rest.
- To make the topping, put all ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine. Pour generously over stack and serve
- Pancakes will keep well wrapped in the freezer for up to 2 months
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love Parks and Rec! Who wouldn’t want a friend like leslie Knope?! I am needing a plate of these pancakes, ASAP.
We should all try and be more like Leslie Knope! Thank you 😀
Love Red Velvet Michelle!! and these look scrumptious!! I made a Red Velvet Cheesecake so Cheers and Happy Galentine’s Day 🙂
Thank you Amy! Ooh defnitely gonna have to check that one out 😀
Good lord! Did you ever nail the colour with these beauties. And they look moist and delicious too. Fabulous! Thank you for bringing these to the party this week and yes I will have seconds!
Thank you Sue! 😀
Yes, please!! Loved this post Michelle – hadn’t heard of Galentine’s day before but it’s a great idea! Happy G day and Happy Fiesta Friday!
Thank you Selma! Glad I was able to introduce you to it! Happy FF! x
Happy Galentine’s Day to you too! Love this super novel way to celebrate it!
Thank you 😀 x
Never have I ever heard of red velvet pancakes, this is so awesome and pretty!!! I LOVE IT, I might surprise my husband with these on Saturday, awwww! Thank you for sharing Michelle!
aww, that would be very lovely of you! I hope you and your hubby like them and happy valentine’s day!
Those pancakes are amazing Michelle!
Thank you Margy!! x
Oh my Michelle!! Wow! Are these really possible?! Yummy!!!!
They are indeed Lori! Thank you! 😀
WOW!!! Like seriously, wow. How genius are these?! They look amazzinnggg!
Thank you Tracy!!
Ha ha Michelle, I love it, Happy Galentine’s Day. I’m a tad cynical when it comes to V-Day too. Actually we don’t even celebrate it. After all, why can’t I get roses and chocolates any other time of the year? It’s just another holiday where Hallmark and flower companies make a killing 🙂 OK rant over. Love your beautiful pancakes though, and how unusually red! 🙂
I agree, we should be showing our love all year round!
Thank you 🙂 Yep, I’m not afraid to make use of food colouring haha
I am a P&R regular & do remember Galantine’s Day 😀 Leslie would absolutely approve of these beauties! They are gorgeous and look soooo fluffy & moist! And that cream cheese topping…YUM!!!
That’s the best compliment ever, Leslie approval is all I want in life haha!
Thank you 😀
These look fantastic! I would happily have them for breakfast and lunch. Love the idea of Gelantine day as well – a much better day to celebrate!
😀 Thank you! And glad you think so!
Oh Michelle, I love them. They are sooooo pretty and perfect for a girl’s only brunch. They appreciate those things so much more. 😀 No offense, but it’s true.
And I love Parks and Recreation. The quote is perfect! 🙂 And I love your pictures, pinned for making them in the future. If I have a bunch of girls over I’ll definitely make them. And on the buttermilk, I love all baked goods with buttermilk. Somehow they are always fresher and so moist.
Happy Fiesta Friday and happy Galentine’s Day 🙂
Thank you Tina 😀
And you’re right, buttermilk really does make baked things so much better, it has some kind of magical power I swear!
Happy FF and Galentine’s Day to you too!
I had never heard of Galentine’s Day, but I already love it! And these pancakes – OMG! *drools awkwardly*
I’m definitely loving spreading all these Galentine’s love and awareness around haha! Thank you 😀 x
Yes please! Load my plate up HIGH! Love that topping too! Wow!
Thank you 😀 x
Oh yes, red velvet, perfect anytime but so perfect for Valentines day. Thank you for bringing these gorgeous pancakes to the fiesta!!!
Thank you! It’s been a while since I did anything red velvet, so I guess I can thank Valentine’s day for spurring me on haha!
This looks amazing Michelle! I can tell you that my husband is very excited as he is a red velvet fan! Pinning this and sharing this!
I have a HUMONGOUS girl crush on Leslie Knope (and Scarlett Johansson) and I looove Parks and Rec too! I am fully on board celebrating Galentines day. Nothing can be better than Pancakes (or Waffles! I love waffles!!)
Thank you Dini!! I hope you guys like them 😀
I’m with you there, both with Leslie and Scarlett Johansson!
I’m so happy to find other Parks and Rec fans too, although I’m sad because I can’t watch the last season until it comes up on Netlfix, stupid UK – although maybe that’s a good thing since that means it won’t end for me for a while yet!
My husband loves red velvet cake and since this is our anniversary weekend, maybe I’ll treat him to these!
Anniversary and Valentine’s Day? That’s one romantic weekend, definitely calls for a good breakfast! I hope he likes them, thanks Johanne x
I never heard of galentine’s day 🙂 Now I know lol .The pancakes look amazing. The cream cheese which went into them must have ensured they remain moist and delicious 🙂
Galentine’s Day is a great holiday, I’m so glad to introduce to people!
Thank you skd! x
Now these are pancakes I would want to wake up to. I can imagine how well that chocolate/vanilla red velvet hit goes well with the cherries. Lovely.
It really does, thank you! x
Your pancakes are telling me to try making some. These are so delicious, Michelle. 🙂
Thank you Jhuls, you should definitely try them 😀
Did my comment come through on your mini bundt cakes by the way? It kept coming up with an error so I have no idea if it didn’t go through of it I ended up sending it 2184394 times haha
Yowza! Someone needs to make me these!!
😀
These are such wonderful pancakes!!
I honestly have never eaten red-velvet pancakes and I’d looooooooooooo to try 🙂
You should definitely try Winnie, they’re delicious! Thank you 😀 x
I don’t care for Valentines day either, but do like the idea of Galentines day. The pancakes look absolutely delicious and that cream cheese syrup -yum!
Thank you! 😀 x
These pancakes really are drool worthy!! I also love the idea of a cream cheese topping, so clever! So Happy Galentine’s Day to you, I think this is a great way to celebrate 🙂
Thank you! 😀 And happy Galentine’s Day to you too!
“Red velvet” in so many baked goods and I love it all! Now pancakes and they do look good. I might have to use maple syrup instead.
Thank you Judi 🙂 Maple syrup would definitely be good too!
Yummy! They sound delicious and look so pretty. <3
Thank you!
These sound delicious! I love red velvet anything!
Thank you! x
These pancakes sound so tempting! The food colouring usually scares me away from red velvet recipes. But, as you mentioned, I can simply leave it out and just enjoy the flavour!!
Yep, personally food colouring doesn’t bother me but I know why it does for other people – they’ll still be just as yummy without it. I know people use natural dyes too like beetroot
Red Velvet Pancakes! Brilliant! I’m going to give this a try very soon 🙂
Thank you! I hope you like them 🙂
Red velvet pancakes! They look brilliant, they’d certainly make the start of the day a happy one. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!
Thank you!