Name: Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; 1 ½ cups milk; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon green food coloring; 2 tablespoons unflavored oil (avocado, vegetable, or canola); 4 oz. cream cheese, softened; ½ cup powdered sugar; ¼ cup whole milk; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; Pinch of salt; Cream cheese glaze; Red heart sprinkles; Whipped cream; Fresh fruit

There’s something so festive about waking up to morning pancakes that are dressed up in holiday cheer. This Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe not only tastes incredible but also brings that joyful green sparkle to your breakfast table that gets everyone smiling.

A stack of six green pancakes sits on a white plate with ridged edges, each pancake thick and slightly browned on the edges. On top of the stack, a large dollop of white whipped cream flows down the sides, decorated with small red heart-shaped sprinkles scattered over the cream and a few falling onto the plate. The background is a soft focus with a white marbled surface underneath the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe is one of those delightful treats that feels special enough for holiday mornings yet simple enough to whip up without stress. I’ve made these year after year, and every time they’re a hit — the vibrant green pancakes paired with the creamy, tangy glaze never fail to impress.

Festive Presentation: The green pancakes bring eye-catching color without artificial gimmicks (just the right touch of food coloring).
Perfect Balance of Flavors: The cream cheese glaze adds a smooth, slightly tangy sweetness that complements the fluffy pancakes beautifully.
Easy to Make: You don’t need any fancy ingredients or equipment, just some simple pantry staples and a skillet.
Customizable: Whether you’re doubling for a crowd or adding your own toppings, these pancakes adjust easily to your needs.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients here come together to create that soft, tender pancake with just the right lift and flavor, all while keeping things bright and festive. Using simple elements lets the green color pop without competing flavors—plus the cream cheese glaze brings a lovely silky finish that feels indulgent but fresh.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small pile of granulated sugar, two teaspoons of baking powder, a small heap of baking soda, a pinch of kosher salt, a small white bowl of whole milk, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl of pure vanilla extract, a small white bowl with bright green food coloring, a small white bowl of light golden oil, a block of softened cream cheese on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, a small white bowl of extra whole milk, a small white bowl of red heart sprinkles, a swirl of whipped cream on a white dish, and an assortment of fresh mixed fruit including strawberries and blueberries, all placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Provides the pancake structure; sticking to all-purpose ensures the best texture balance.
Granulated sugar: Adds just a hint of sweetness without overpowering.
Baking powder & baking soda: The leavening duo that gives these pancakes a light, fluffy rise.
Kosher salt: A pinch rounds out all the flavors perfectly.
Milk: The liquid base that hydrates and helps create a tender crumb.
Eggs: Bind everything and add richness.
Pure vanilla extract: Adds subtle warmth and depth.
Green food coloring: For that signature festive hue—you can use gel or liquid, but gel tends to give a more vibrant color.
Oil (avocado, vegetable, or canola): Keeps pancakes moist and helps them brown nicely.
Cream cheese (softened): The star of the glaze—gives tangy creaminess.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths the glaze.
Whole milk: Thins out the glaze to just the right consistency.
Pinch of salt (for glaze): Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
Garnishes: Feel free to use red heart sprinkles, whipped cream, or fresh fruit for that extra festive touch.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with the toppings and sometimes switching up the color to match the season. The beauty of this Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe is how flexible it is—whether you want a bigger stack or mini pancakes for little hands, it’s ready when you are.

Variation: One Christmas, I swapped red food coloring instead of green for a fun twist with my kids—they thought it was just as magical! Try blueberry or raspberry compote for a burst of fruitiness that cuts through the sweetness beautifully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe

A close-up image of a silver fork holding four stacked layers of bright green pancakes showing their soft, spongy texture and small air holes; the bottom pancake has a slightly darker browned edge, and there is a small white spot of cream or sauce on the top layers; in the blurred background, there is a white plate with more green pancakes topped with white cream and small red sprinkles, all set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whisk the dry ingredients

Start by combining the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. I like to whisk it well so everything is evenly mixed—this helps the pancakes rise nicely and avoids clumps later. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.

Step 2: Combine the wet ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla, green food coloring, and oil. Make sure the egg is completely mixed in and the green color is spread evenly. This way the pancakes will have that beautiful, consistent hue—a little tip: gel coloring tends to give a brighter shade without adding too much liquid.

Step 3: Mix wet and dry

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently until just combined. Don’t overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can make the pancakes tough instead of fluffy, which is something I’ve learned after a few batches of “chewy” pancakes!

Step 4: Let the batter rest

Allow your batter to rest for 5 to 10 minutes—this step helps the baking powder activate and develop a lighter texture. Plus, it gives you a moment to prep your pan or even sneak a quick cup of coffee.

Step 5: Cook the pancakes

Heat a griddle or nonstick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter or cooking spray. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to dollop batter into silver dollar–sized pancakes (about 1.5 tablespoons each). When bubbles form on the surface and edges look set, flip and cook until golden. Keep the heat moderate—it’s the best way to cook through without burning.

Step 6: Make the cream cheese glaze

While your pancakes cook, whip together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, whole milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy. This glaze is what transforms simple pancakes into a festive treat that feels special.

Step 7: Serve & garnish

Stack your green pancakes high, drizzle with that luscious cream cheese glaze, and sprinkle on some red heart sprinkles or fresh fruit. I always add a dollop of whipped cream too—it’s like a celebration on a plate!

Top Tip

From my experience making these pancakes several times, there are a few little tricks that take this Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe from good to unforgettable.

Quality Food Coloring: I’ve found gel food coloring keeps the green color vibrant without changing the batter’s consistency.
Don’t Overmix: It’s tempting to get a perfectly smooth batter but leaving some lumps ensures fluffier pancakes.
Rest the Batter: Trust me, those 5-10 minutes resting make pancakes rise and cook better.
Cook on Medium Heat: Too high and the pancakes brown too fast and stay raw inside; medium heat lets the inside cook thoroughly.

How to Serve Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe

Green Christmas Pancakes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I adore topping these pancakes with more cream cheese glaze, some red heart sprinkles for that holiday pop, and fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries for a tart contrast. Sometimes I add a swirl of whipped cream—because, why not? It all adds layers of texture and seasonally appropriate colors.

Side Dishes

Pair your pancakes with a hot cup of spiced coffee or a mug of hot cocoa to make the morning extra cozy. On the savory side, crispy bacon or sausages balance the sweetness perfectly and round out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive brunch, I’ve layered pancakes on a decorative platter, draping the cream cheese glaze over the edges and topping with peppermint candy pieces for a dazzling holiday look. Mini pancake stacks on skewers also make fun party bites that guests love!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After your pancake feast, let any leftovers cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. I usually store mine in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheating in the toaster oven restores the texture nicely, keeping them fluffy rather than soggy.

Freezing

These pancakes freeze beautifully. Lay them out on a wax paper–lined cookie sheet in a single layer until frozen, then transfer to a freezer bag. They keep their texture and flavor for up to 3 months, which is great for quick breakfasts during busy holiday weeks.

Reheating

To reheat frozen pancakes, I pop them straight into a toaster oven or microwave—just a minute or two until warm. Toaster ovens tend to keep the edges nice and crisp while microwaves are faster if you’re in a hurry.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these pancakes without food coloring?

Absolutely! The green is festive fun but the pancake batter itself is delicious even without the color—just omit the food coloring for classic flavored pancakes.

What can I use instead of cream cheese glaze?

If you prefer something lighter, a simple drizzle of maple syrup or honey works wonderfully. Alternatively, you can swap in a yogurt-based glaze by thinning Greek yogurt with a bit of honey and vanilla.

How do I prevent the green color from fading during cooking?

Using gel food coloring helps maintain a vibrant green. Also, cook on medium heat—high heat can dull the color. Natural food colorings tend to fade more, so choose according to your preference.

Can I make the batter ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the batter a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Just give it a gentle stir before cooking. Avoid making it too far in advance, as the leavening will lose some of its effect.

Final Thoughts

This Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe holds a special place in my holiday traditions. It’s simple, fun, and a real crowd-pleaser that brings a smile to every breakfast guest. I encourage you to try it out, tweak it to your taste, and make your mornings a little brighter and a lot more delicious. You’re going to love the cozy, festive vibe it creates!