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 just something magical about a stack of fluffy, festive pancakes. That’s why I’m excited to share my Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe—a vibrant, fun twist on the classic breakfast that’ll bring sparkle to your holiday mornings and smiles all around the table.

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

I love how this recipe nails the festive look without sacrificing the taste. The pancakes are light, fluffy, and that green hue? It’s perfect for Christmas morning cheer. Plus, the cream cheese glaze takes these pancakes to the next level — sweet, tangy, and smooth, it’s the kind of topping you’ll find yourself sneaking spoonfuls of.

Festive and Fun: The green color instantly transforms your breakfast into a Christmas celebration.
Easy to Make: With simple pantry ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll have these on the griddle in no time.
Deliciously Complemented: The cream cheese glaze adds that perfect balance of sweet and tangy that pairs beautifully with the fluffy pancakes.
Customizable and Kid-Friendly: You can add sprinkles, fresh fruit, or whipped cream to make it your own, and kids absolutely love the fun green color.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe strikes a beautiful balance with classic pancake ingredients and just a dash of festive flair. Each component plays a key role, and I always recommend using fresh ingredients for best results—trust me, it makes all the difference, especially with dairy and eggs!

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 structure for soft, tender pancakes.
Granulated sugar: Adds subtle sweetness to the batter without overpowering.
Baking powder & baking soda: These leavening agents work together for fluffy rise and a light texture.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the other flavors; don’t skip it!
Milk: I prefer whole milk for richness that contributes to tender pancakes.
Eggs: This binds everything and adds moisture and richness.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the flavor.
Green food coloring: Use gel or liquid—but note natural colors will fade during cooking (more on that below).
Oil (avocado, vegetable, or canola): Keeps the pancakes moist and helps with a tender crumb.
Cream cheese (for glaze): Softened for that smooth, tangy glaze that’s pure magic drizzled on top.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the glaze without grit.
Whole milk (for glaze): Adjusts the glaze consistency to just the right pourable texture.
Pinch of salt (for glaze): Balances the sweetness, enhancing the glaze’s flavor.

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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’ve tried this recipe several times now, and while I love it just as it is, nothing beats adding your own twist. Maybe switch up the glaze flavors or add your favorite toppings to keep things interesting—and fun!

Variation: One year, I added a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the glaze for an extra holiday vibe — it was a hit at our brunch.

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: Mix the Dry Ingredients

First, I whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. This ensures that the leaveners are evenly distributed, giving you those perfectly fluffy pancakes every time.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, green food coloring, and oil together. Make sure to fully blend the food coloring so the pancakes come out evenly green—this step is where the holiday magic starts!

Step 3: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. The batter will be slightly lumpy—that’s exactly what you want to keep the pancakes tender. Don’t overmix or you’ll end up with tough pancakes.

Step 4: Rest the Batter and Heat the Pan

Set your batter aside for 5-10 minutes. This little rest lets the flours hydrate and the leaveners do their thing. Meanwhile, preheat a griddle or nonstick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it.

Step 5: Cook the Pancakes

Scoop 1.5 tablespoons of batter onto the skillet for mini pancakes, or more if you want them larger. When you see bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set, flip the pancakes gently and cook until golden on the other side. Repeat until all the batter is used.

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Glaze

While the last batch cooks, whisk together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth and pourable. This glaze is dreamy on warm pancakes.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Stack the green pancakes high, drizzle generously with cream cheese glaze, and top with red heart sprinkles, whipped cream, or fresh fruit for a festive finish.

Top Tip

From my experience, a few small tricks make a huge difference with these Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe — and I want you to have the best pancake stack possible!

Use Gel Food Coloring: It’s more vibrant and less likely to thin your batter than liquid colors, which helps keep that lively green pop.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Lumps are good here; they make your pancakes lighter and fluffier rather than chewy.
Let the Batter Rest: Even just 5 minutes makes the pancake texture noticeably better by allowing the baking powder to activate.
Cook on Medium Heat: Too hot, and your pancakes burn on the outside before cooking through; too low, and they dry out. Medium heat strikes a great balance.

How to Serve Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe

Green Christmas Pancakes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I adore topping these pancakes with a thick drizzle of cream cheese glaze and a sprinkle of red heart sprinkles for that festive touch. Whipped cream adds lightness, and fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or raspberries adds a juicy brightness that cuts through the richness.

Side Dishes

These pancakes pair wonderfully with crispy bacon or sausage links for savory contrast. A side of warm spiced cider or a simple hot chocolate is always a hit to round out your holiday breakfast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special brunch, I’ve stacked mini pancakes on festive skewers and topped each with a little cream cheese dollop and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes for a colorful, eye-catching display the kids absolutely loved.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, I store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to 3-4 days, making them perfect for quick holiday breakfasts during a busy week.

Freezing

Freeze pancakes individually on a wax paper-lined tray first, then transfer them into freezer bags. This method stops them from sticking together, letting you grab as many as you need later—and they freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.

Reheating

When reheating, I like popping them in a toaster oven or regular oven to maintain crisp edges, but the microwave works fine too if you’re in a hurry—just cover them to prevent drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use natural green food coloring for this recipe?

Natural green food coloring, like spinach or matcha powder, can work but tends to fade when cooked. For the brightest green pancakes, I recommend gel food coloring.

How do I make the cream cheese glaze without lumps?

Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing. Whisk it thoroughly with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for a smooth, lump-free glaze.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend designed for pancakes. Just be mindful some blends absorb more liquid, so you might need to adjust the milk accordingly.

How do I keep leftover pancakes from becoming soggy?

Cool pancakes completely before storing in an airtight container to prevent condensation. Reheat them briefly in the toaster oven or on the stovetop to restore crispness.

Final Thoughts

This Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe has become my go-to festive breakfast, especially when I want to impress family or friends without hours in the kitchen. The joy on everyone’s faces as they dig into these colorful, flavorful pancakes reminds me why cooking is such a gift. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) them as much as I do — they’re truly a holiday treat that sparks happiness in every bite.