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 magically festive about waking up to a stack of bright green pancakes dripping with creamy glaze—my Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe is just that kind of breakfast treat. It’s colorful, delicious, and perfect for adding a little holiday sparkle to your morning.

A stack of six thick, green pancakes with slightly uneven edges sits on a white plate. On top, there is a generous swirl of white whipped cream dripping slightly down the sides. Small red heart-shaped sprinkles are scattered on the whipped cream and a few rest on the pancakes and plate. The background features a soft, white marbled texture. 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 recipe brings together simple ingredients with a fun twist that always delights my family and guests. I love how the green hue feels festive and unexpected, while the cream cheese glaze adds that perfect balance of tangy sweetness—trust me, it’s a winning combo.

Festive Appearance: The vibrant green pancakes instantly brighten up the breakfast table and bring that Christmas spirit to life.
Creamy Glaze Heaven: The cream cheese glaze offers a luscious, smooth finish that’s totally addictive.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these in your pantry—no complicated shopping necessary.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Decorating with sprinkles and fresh fruit turns pancake-making into a joyful activity everyone enjoys.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this recipe plays its part to create pancakes that are fluffy, flavorful, and perfectly green. Here’s a quick rundown to help you pick the best versions and get the most out of each.

Flat lay of a small pile of all-purpose flour in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl containing baking powder, another small white bowl with baking soda, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl filled with whole milk, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl with light golden vegetable oil, a small white bowl with pale green liquid representing green food coloring, a small white bowl of pure vanilla extract, a block of soft cream cheese on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, a small white bowl of whole milk for the glaze, and a tiny pinch of salt displayed as a few crystals on the surface; all ingredients arranged in perfect symmetry, fresh and natural, placed 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: The base for tender pancakes—grab a fresh, unbleached variety for best results.
Granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness without overpowering the other flavors.
Baking powder & baking soda: These leavening agents give your pancakes a light, airy texture and great rise.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors without making the pancakes salty.
Milk: I usually use whole milk for richness, but you can swap in almond or oat milk if you like.
Eggs: Help bind everything and add moisture.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the batter and glaze.
Green food coloring: The star of the show—gel or natural food coloring works; just note natural versions can fade when cooked.
Unflavored oil: I like avocado oil for its neutral flavor, but vegetable or canola oil works perfectly fine too.
Cream cheese: This makes the glaze velvety smooth, so soften it well for best mixing.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the glaze without any grit.
Whole milk for the glaze: Adjust for consistency—add more for thinner glaze, less for thick.
Pinch of salt: It balances the sweetness in the glaze beautifully.
Garnishes: Think red heart sprinkles, whipped cream, and fresh fruit for festive flair.

📝

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 like to play around with the glaze sometimes—adding a hint of orange zest or swapping the vanilla for peppermint extract during the holidays. These little tweaks make the pancakes feel even more special, and the results are always worth experimenting for.

Variation: One year, I swapped green food coloring for matcha powder to make a natural, earthy version—it’s a fun twist but remember matcha can change texture slightly.
Dairy-Free: You can substitute cream cheese and milk with vegan options to keep this recipe accessible, though the glaze will be a bit different.
Extra Festive: Add crushed peppermint candies into the batter for a surprising peppermint crunch that kids adore.

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

A close-up shows four layered green pancakes stacked on a silver fork. The pancakes have a soft, bubbly texture with a slightly brown edge on the bottom layer. 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 Dry Ingredients with Care

Start by whisking together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. This ensures your leavening will be evenly distributed, which means pancakes will rise beautifully without any bitter pockets of baking soda.

Step 2: Whisk Wet Ingredients Separately

In another bowl, beat the milk, eggs, vanilla, green food coloring, and oil until everything is totally combined. I always make sure there are no streaks of unmixed egg or color because it’ll affect both the taste and the lovely green hue.

Step 3: Combine, but Don’t Overmix

Pour the wet mixture into the dry and stir gently until just combined. It’s okay if the batter is a little lumpy—overmixing makes pancakes tough instead of perfectly fluffy. Then, let the batter rest for 5–10 minutes—it really helps with texture and flavor.

Step 4: Cook Like a Pro

Heat your griddle or skillet over medium heat and grease it lightly. I love using a cookie scoop to keep my pancakes a consistent silver dollar size—it’s easier to flip them at the perfect moment. Look for bubbles forming on the surface before flipping. Cook until golden and cooked through.

Step 5: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Glaze

Beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth and pourable. If it’s too thick, add a bit more milk. This glaze is the ultimate finishing touch—not too sweet, just creamy and tangy.

Step 6: Assemble and Garnish

Stack the warm pancakes, drizzle generously with the cream cheese glaze, and sprinkle with red heart sprinkles plus a dollop of whipped cream and fresh fruit if you’d like. It looks gorgeous and tastes even better.

Top Tip

After making these pancakes multiple times, I learned a few things that really made a difference to the final result. They’re simple changes that you might overlook, but trust me—they’ll help you nail this recipe every time.

Don’t Skip the Rest: Letting the batter sit for 5–10 minutes lets the flour hydrate and the leavening agents activate—this means fluffier pancakes.
Watch the Heat: Medium heat is your friend—too high and the outsides burn before the centers cook through.
Softened Cream Cheese: Always bring your cream cheese to room temperature before making the glaze; this avoids lumps and gives you a silky texture.
Color Caution: Natural green food coloring can fade with heat, so if you want that vibrant green pancake, gel colorings are more reliable.

How to Serve Green Christmas Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe

Green Christmas Pancakes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often go for red heart sprinkles to punch up the Christmas vibe—paired with a swirl of whipped cream and some fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries. The contrasting colors make the whole plate look so inviting, and the fresh fruit adds a lovely brightness.

Side Dishes

This pairs beautifully with crispy bacon or sausage for a savory balance. I sometimes add a small bowl of warm maple syrup too, although the glaze makes them sweet enough on their own.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive brunch party, I like stacking mini pancakes as a “Christmas tree,” dripping the cream cheese glaze down like snow, and topping with a strawberry or a cherry to resemble a star. It’s playful and a real crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let the pancakes cool completely before storing. I place them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. Reheating in the microwave works great, but a quick toast in a toaster oven revives some of that fresh-from-the-griddle crispness.

Freezing

I freeze leftover pancakes by laying them out on a wax paper–lined cookie sheet first. Once frozen solid, I pop them into a freezer bag for up to 3 months. It’s super easy to take out just the amount you need and reheat.

Reheating

To reheat frozen pancakes, I use a toaster or toaster oven to keep them from getting soggy. Alternatively, a quick zap in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel works if you're in a hurry.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use natural green food coloring instead of artificial?

Yes, you can definitely use natural green food coloring like spinach or matcha powder, but keep in mind these may fade during cooking, resulting in a less vibrant green color.

How do I make the cream cheese glaze smooth without lumps?

Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature before mixing. Beat it well with the powdered sugar and milk to achieve a silky, lump-free glaze. If lumps persist, a quick whisk or blending helps.

Can I make the pancake batter ahead of time?

I recommend mixing the batter fresh for best fluffiness, but if you need to prep ahead, keep the batter covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Give it a gentle stir before cooking to recombine.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover pancakes?

To keep pancakes tasting fresh, reheat them in a toaster or toaster oven to avoid sogginess. If you’re short on time, microwave with a damp paper towel—just be careful not to overheat and dry them out.

Final Thoughts

These green Christmas pancakes with that luscious cream cheese glaze have become a holiday tradition for me—and I know they’ll soon become one for you too. They’re cheerful, fun, and a little indulgent in just the right way. Give the recipe a try and watch how it brightens your holiday mornings as much as it does mine.