Cinnamon Roll Pancakes (Printer-friendly)
Fluffy pancakes swirled with cinnamon filling and topped with creamy icing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pancake Batter
01 - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon baking powder
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 ¼ cups milk
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 3 tablespoons melted butter
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Cinnamon Swirl
09 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
10 - ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
11 - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
→ Cream Cheese Icing
12 - 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
13 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
14 - ½ cup powdered sugar
15 - 2 tablespoons milk
16 - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until evenly distributed.
02 - Whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and fold until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter light.
03 - Combine melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl and mix until smooth. Transfer the mixture into a zip-top bag and snip a tiny corner for piping.
04 - Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, then mix until creamy and well combined. Set aside.
05 - Preheat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with butter or nonstick spray. Pour ¼ cup of batter per pancake onto the hot surface.
06 - Once bubbles begin to form on the surface but before it fully sets, pipe a tight spiral of the cinnamon mixture onto each pancake.
07 - Cook until bubbles appear across the surface, then carefully flip each pancake. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Wipe the skillet clean between batches as needed.
08 - Stack warm pancakes and drizzle generously with the cream cheese icing. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It tastes exactly like a warm cinnamon roll but requires zero yeast and no waiting for dough to rise
- The cream cheese icing drizzle makes every single bite feel like a weekend morning even on a Tuesday
02 -
- If you pipe the cinnamon swirl too early before the batter sets at all, it will sink straight through and burn on the pan
- The zip-top bag method for the swirl is non negotiable because a spoon will give you uneven blobs instead of clean spirals
03 -
- Greek yogurt replaces some of the butter in the batter beautifully if you want a slightly lighter version that still feels indulgent
- Chopped pecans folded into the cinnamon swirl add a crunchy contrast that makes these feel even more like an actual cinnamon roll