Christmas Tree Pancakes
These easy Christmas tree pancakes make a fun, festive breakfast or snack that the whole family will love. They come together in under 15 minutes and with just a few ingredients, making them perfect for getting into the spirit of the season- even at the last minute!
For both kids and the adults, Christmas morning is a culmination of all the anticipation of the holiday season.
All the preparations that got you to that moment coming together, making everything feel magical.
But in all the excitement of my kids waking up, spending time with family and opening gifts- everybody still needs to eat.
I’m running on fumes of sleep though.
Not a morning person on a normal day, the last thing I want to do is cook.
I’m cursed with still thinking Christmas morning breakfast should be as special as the day itself though.
To pull it off though, it’s got be quick to prepare & easy to serve.
These cute Christmas tree pancakes are both- fun, festive, and totally yummy.
Ingredients Needed
- Pancake Batter – You could use homemade batter, but I prefer the store bought boxed mix because it’s super easy. You’ll also need any ingredients called for in the package instructions.
- Food Coloring – Green food coloring, you can use either liquid or gel.
- Frosting – Again you could whip up a batch of homemade, or use leftovers from other holiday baking- OR just grab a can of vanilla frosting from the baking aisle.
- Sausage – Sausage links, you can use fresh or frozen. Both pork & turkey sausage work in this recipe.
- Whipped Cream – The kind in a can with a squirt nozzle. I tend to use either regular or extra creamy, but you can use the zero sugar variety to cut down on some of the sweetness in this breakfast.
- Candy – M & M’s are stuck on the pancake ‘trees’ to look like lights/ornaments.
How To Make
Whipping up a batch of these cute Christmas tree pancakes is super simple- minimal effort required!
Start by cooking your sausages.
Once the sausage links have cooked through, set them aside to cool.
While the sausages are cooking/cooling prepare your pancake batter.
Whether it’s store bought or homemade, mix it up according to the directions indicated.
Now you’re going to cook your pancakes, either on a griddle or hot skillet, again following the recipe you’re using.
You can cook as many, or as few, pancakes as you’ll need for the number of people you’re feeding.
Once the pancakes are cooked through, transfer them to a waiting plate or platter to cool.
While the pancakes are cooling add some of your white frosting to a small mixing bowl.
Add 2-3 drops of green food coloring, then mix well.
Mix until the food coloring has completely incorporated!
Now that the cooked pancakes have cooled significantly, spread the top of each pancake evenly with green frosting.
Using a sharp knife, cut each frosted pancake into even quarters.
Cut your sausages evenly in half lengthwise.
Be careful since they can be slippery- I recommend using a fork to hold them in place while you’re cutting them to avoid injury.
To assemble the Christmas tree pancakes, layer the pancake quarters in an over-lapping row on a plate- starting with the top of the ‘tree’ first.
You can do 3 or 4 layers.
Add half of a sausage link at the bottom to make a ‘trunk’ for your tree.
Repeat until all the pancakes Christmas trees have been plated.
Arrange your candies, gently pressing them into the frosting, to represent lights or ornaments.
Add a dollop of whipped cream to the top for a ‘star’.
That’s it- now you’re ready to serve & watch everyone enjoy!
What Kind Of Candy Should I Use?
The candy on these pancake Christmas trees represents ornaments, or lights.
We typically use m&m candies- they’re fun, festive, and the regular or themed varieties both work well.
You don’t have to use them though.
There are plenty of other candies that work just as well.
Other options include:
- Sprinkles
- Gum Drops
- Peppermints
- Mike & Ike
- Jelly Beans
Use whatever is readily available, and that you know your family will actually eat.
TIPS & TRICKS
- Use a pizza cutter to quickly & easily cut the frosted pancakes into quarters.
- For a less sugary breakfast, you can skip the frosting & just add the green food coloring to your pancake batter instead.
- The candy ‘ornaments’ are optional as well. For an even more festive touch use red and white candies only.
- You can use turkey or pork sausage links for this recipe, and fresh or the frozen variety work- whatever’s easier.
Other Easy Christmas Recipes
Whether you need a quick & easy breakfast for Christmas morning, or a fun festive snack to get the kids excited and in the spirit of the season- these Christmas tree pancakes appeal to the kid in all of us!
Looking for other easy Christmas recipes?
Try these reader favorites:
- Christmas Light Cookies
- White Chocolate Gingerbread Crescent Rolls
- Santa Belt Cupcakes
- Christmas Wreath Cookies
- Grinch Punch Recipe
- Candy Cane Crescent Roll Danish
If you’ve tried these CHRISTMAS TREE PANCAKES, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!
Christmas Tree Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup pancake batter
- 2 drops green food coloring
- vanilla frosting
- 8 M&M’s
- 1 tbsp whipped cream
- 1 sausage link
Instructions
- To make, heat a flat griddle until warm but not too hot. If you heat the pan too hot, the pancakes will brown too quickly and you will lose the color.
- Cook pancakes, as many as desired. One regular sized pancake will make one Christmas tree. Set aside.
- Add a couple drops of green food coloring to vanilla frosting, then mix until evenly combined.
- Once the pancakes are cooked on both sides, transfer them to a waiting plate to cool. Once they've cooled significantly, spread one side of each pancake evenly with green frosting. Cut them into quarters using a pancake cutter.
- Layer the pancakes on a plate starting with the top and making three layers.
- Cook the sausage links and add one, halved length-wise, for the trunk of the tree.
- Arrange some M&Ms for the ornaments and add a whipped cream 'star' and you're ready to serve.
Notes
- Use a pizza cutter to quickly & easily cut the frosted pancakes into quarters.
- For a less sugary breakfast, you can skip the frosting & just add the green food coloring to your pancake batter instead.
- The candy 'ornaments' are optional as well. For an even more festive touch use red and white candies only.
- You can use turkey or pork sausage links for this recipe, and fresh or the frozen variety work- whatever's easier.
Nutrition
recipe originally published December 17, 2014
What child wouldnt love these? So cute and yummy!