Some people love having breakfast for dinner (count me among them), but how about breakfast for dessert? Brownie batter pancakes – with a name like that, you’d probably think you have to have them for dessert, but actually, these aren’t super unhealthy. In fact, if you make them following the original recipe exactly, it’s under 150 calories for the entire stack. So feel free to load them up with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and a cherry if you’re calling them dessert 🙂 The pancakes are small – probably the size of your palm, and fairly thin. In other words, if you’re feeding more than one person, double or triple the recipe!
I’ve made these brownie batter pancakes a few times now, and have tried different variations so I can tell you what I’ve liked best. As written, the recipe called for spelt flour, but I never have that on hand, so I’ve used all-purpose and whole wheat pastry flour. I really couldn’t tell much of a difference between those batches. I’ve only made them with dairy milk (1% I think), but a friend used nondairy and had good results. For me, the one big distinction was in using applesauce versus oil. It’s only 1 1/2 tablespoons so I didn’t expect the difference, but I definitely preferred the pancakes made with oil. That’s not to say the ones made with applesauce were bad, I just found the texture on the gummy side. No worries – I loaded that batch up with chocolate sauce and called them dessert. When I used oil, I didn’t think these needed anything else, I just threw on the few raspberries you see in the picture for color.
Brownie Batter Pancakes
adapted just slightly from Chocolate-Covered Katie
1/4 cup all-purpose (or whole wheat pastry) flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sugar
1/16 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons canola (or vegetable) oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 tablespoons milk (dairy or nondairy both work)
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, sugar and salt. Add the oil, vanilla and milk and beat just until combined.
Spray a medium skillet (I strongly recommend using a nonstick pan for this recipe) with cooking spray and set it over medium-low heat. When the pan is warm, ladle about 1 1/2 tablespoons of batter into the pan for each pancake. Spread gently into a circle. Cook on the first side until the edges are set and bubbles form on the surface. Use a spatula to gently flip the pancakes and cook on the second side until cooked through. Repeat until you’ve used all the batter.
Makes about 5 small pancakes
Tracey they look so good! I have seen 3 sets of chocolate pancakes in the last 20 minutes on blogs…the universe is speaking to me, loudly 🙂
Chocolate for breakfast AND it’s not too unhealthy? Too good to be true! I’ll have to try these soon – they look sinful.
Dr. Oz says eating your dessert in the morning or at lunch time is better anyways because your metabolism is faster then at night, that way you burn it off quicker so there you go!!
Wow, those aren’t as much of an indulgence as they would appear to be. Although I’d need to put at least a little bit of whipped cream on top!
Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever described pancakes as fudgey, but I guess that’s changed now. These look way awesome. I’ve seen the recipe on latkes blog, but never tried it because I don’t like applesauce. I think I’m with you when oil or butter is used instead.
These look fantastic!! And I love that they are low in calories.
I’d love to have brownies anytime of the day…in pancake form? Of course, I’d love that too…Yummy!
wow, what a great indulgent breakfast to have. I would love this as breakfast in bed 🙂 great pictures, Tracey!
Oh boy. If I make these for B&G, I may never get them to eat any other kind ever again. =P But I may just have to risk it…
YUM! I made chocolate crepes this weekend, but these look even better!
I want to smother this in a peanut butter sauce. Mmmm.
so, i had my darling love make this for dinner last night. he doubled the recipe. it was divine. i’m not a pancake person, but this! *THIS* is to die for. especially with topped with creamy organic peanut butter. it was perfect. thank you for sharing the recipe.
I have seen this recipe, and wanted to try it. Yours looks wonderful, so glad they are yummy – my 6 year old will love these!
I’m looking at all your pancake posts today. It’s rainy and a perfect day for pancakes. These look really good.
What about some white chocolate chips or mixing white chocolate and heavy cream as a topping?
Looks yummy, but I’ll have to multiply the recipe by 8-10 for my family.
Sometimes the applesauce trick works wonderfully but sometimes, yeah really gummy. These look fantastic – my kids would flip if I made them for breakfast!
My husband and I are making these for the second time tonight. They’re a great quick dessert!
Brownies are my favorite food and now I can pretend that they’re healthy and eat them for breakfast! Amazing, amazing recipe!! 🙂
Wow, everyone. I just made these and there absalutley amazing. I recommend putting a half a tablespoon more of sugar and the recipe is perfect. I recommend trying these, either for breakfast or even a chocolate craving. Yummmm
Oh my these look amazing.
The above given recipe is really very nice. It is easy and tastes good. Thanks for such a great recipe.