Fluffy Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes (Printer-friendly)
Light and fluffy pancakes with creamy cheesecake swirl and fresh strawberry topping. Ready in 35 minutes.
# What you'll need:
→ Pancake Batter
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
06 - 1 cup buttermilk
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Cheesecake Swirl
10 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
11 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
12 - 1 egg yolk
13 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Strawberry Topping
14 - 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
15 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
16 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
→ For Cooking
17 - Butter or oil for greasing the pan
# Method:
01 - Combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until strawberries release juice and mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - Beat softened cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
03 - Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
04 - Whisk buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla in a separate bowl. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. A few lumps are fine—do not overmix.
05 - Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with butter or oil.
06 - Pour about 1/4 cup batter onto skillet for each pancake. Dollop a heaping teaspoon of cheesecake mixture onto surface, then swirl gently with knife tip or skewer. Cook for 2–3 minutes until bubbles form and edges look set. Flip and cook 1–2 minutes until golden and cooked through.
07 - Repeat with remaining batter and cheesecake swirl, greasing skillet as needed. Serve warm topped with strawberry sauce and extra fresh strawberries if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- They taste like dessert for breakfast but come together in under 40 minutes
- The cheesecake swirl creates these pockets of creamy richness in every single bite
- Fresh strawberries balance all that richness perfectly
02 -
- Overmixed batter makes tough, flat pancakes every single time
- The cheesecake mixture sinks if you add it too early, so wait until the batter hits the pan
- These reheat surprisingly well in the toaster if you have leftovers
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients mix more smoothly and create a better batter texture
- Test your pan with a few drops of water, they should dance and evaporate before adding batter