Pin A whimsical and delightful brunch board featuring fluffy pancakes decorated to resemble polar bears, served with fresh fruit, creamy spreads, and breakfast accompaniments& perfect for kids and family gatherings.
I love making this polar bear pancake stack because it brings joy and smiles to every breakfast I serve, turning a simple meal into a special occasion.
Ingredients
- Pancakes: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 cups buttermilk, 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Polar Bear Decorations: 1 cup thick Greek yogurt (for snouts and ears), 1/2 cup mini marshmallows (for ears), 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips or candy eyes (for eyes and noses), 1 banana sliced (for ears and snouts)
- Accompaniments: 1 cup fresh blueberries, 1 cup strawberries halved, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread, 1/2 cup whipped cream, 1/2 cup toasted coconut flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Step 2:
- In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Step 3:
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined do not overmix.
- Step 4:
- Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with butter.
- Step 5:
- For each polar bear, pour one large pancake (about 1/3 cup batter) for the face and two smaller pancakes (about 1 tbsp batter each) for the ears Cook until bubbles form on the surface then flip and cook until golden Repeat with remaining batter.
- Step 6:
- Arrange pancakes in stacks on a large board place the large pancake as the face and two small pancakes as ears.
- Step 7:
- Use Greek yogurt and banana slices to create the snout and inner ears.
- Step 8:
- Place chocolate chips or candy eyes for the eyes and nose Use mini marshmallows or banana slices for the outer ears.
- Step 9:
- Fill the board with fresh fruit, maple syrup, chocolate spread, whipped cream, and toasted coconut as desired.
- Step 10:
- Serve immediately and let guests assemble or decorate their own polar bear pancakes.
Pin This recipe always brings the family together around the breakfast table with smiles and creative decorating fun.
Required Tools
Large mixing bowls, whisk, nonstick skillet or griddle, spatula, large serving board or platter, small bowls for accompaniments
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (dairy), possible nuts (chocolate hazelnut spread). Check chocolate chips and spreads for possible allergens. Always verify ingredient labels for cross-contamination if serving to those with allergies.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 430, Total Fat: 13 g, Carbohydrates: 67 g, Protein: 10 g
Pin Serve the polar bear pancakes fresh and allow everyone to personalize their own for extra fun and flavor.
Recipe Q&A
- → How do I shape the pancakes to look like polar bears?
Pour one large pancake for the face and two smaller ones for the ears. Arrange them on a board to resemble a polar bear’s head.
- → What ingredients create the bear’s facial features?
Use Greek yogurt and banana slices for the snout and ears, and dark chocolate chips or candy eyes for eyes and nose details.
- → Can I make these pancakes gluten-free or vegan?
Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and use dairy-free yogurt plus plant-based milk to adapt the dish for vegan needs.
- → What accompaniments go well with this pancake board?
Fresh blueberries, strawberries, maple syrup, chocolate hazelnut spread, whipped cream, and toasted coconut flakes complement the pancakes beautifully.
- → How do I avoid overmixing the batter?
Mix wet and dry ingredients gently until just combined to maintain fluffy texture; overmixing can make pancakes dense.