Hey there, fellow food lovers! Ever had a craving that just wouldn't quit? Well, that's how these Chocolate Cherry Dream Pancakes came into existence. I was reminiscing about a decadent Black Forest Gateau and thought, 'Why not turn those amazing flavors into a healthy breakfast?' And so, these beauties were born!
These aren't your average pancakes. They're fluffy, chocolatey, and bursting with sweet, juicy cherries. The best part? They're completely vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free – meaning you can indulge without the guilt.
I'll admit, I may have gone a little overboard during the recipe testing (two and a half batches, whoops!), but honestly, they're that good! Each bite is a little slice of heaven, and they’re surprisingly nutritious too. If you’re using fresh cherries, going easy on the maple syrup, and using minimal oil for cooking, they're practically a health food. Okay, maybe that’s wishful thinking, but they're definitely a healthier and more delicious way to start the weekend.
What Makes These Pancakes So Special?
- Naturally Gluten-Free: Perfect for those with dietary restrictions, these pancakes are made with buckwheat flour.
- Refined Sugar-Free: Sweetened with just a touch of maple syrup, these pancakes are a guilt-free treat.
- Easy to Make: Simple steps make this recipe perfect for a quick weekend breakfast.
- Totally Vegan: Using aquafaba (that’s the magical liquid from a can of chickpeas!), we skip the eggs with no sacrifice to the fluffiness of the pancakes. Genius!
- Seriously Delicious: The combination of rich chocolate, sweet cherries, and a hint of syrup is simply irresistible.
Ingredients You'll Need
For the Sweet Stewed Cherries (Optional, but Recommended):
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
- About 2 cups of pitted fresh cherries, or frozen if out of season
For the Dreamy Buckwheat Pancakes:
- 1 cup (125g) buckwheat flour
- 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
- ½ teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
- ½ teaspoon gluten-free baking soda
- 3 tablespoons aquafaba
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice
- ¾ to 1 cup plant milk (use 50% water if using full-fat coconut milk)
- Neutral tasting oil for frying
Let's Get Cooking!
Step 1: Make the Stewed Cherries (Optional)
- Put the cherries in a small pot with a splash of water and maple syrup.
- Stew over low heat, stirring occasionally until softened and juicy.
- Remove the cherries, return the juice to the heat and reduce it to a syrup consistency. Set aside with the cherries.
Step 2: Whip Up the Buckwheat Pancake Batter
- In a mixing bowl, combine buckwheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cacao powder.
- In another bowl, whisk all the wet ingredients: plant milk, maple syrup, and lemon juice.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until well combined.
- Whisk the aquafaba in a separate bowl until it becomes light and frothy. Don’t worry about using an electric whisk – a hand whisk works just as well.
- Gently fold the whipped aquafaba into the pancake mixture. Add a splash of plant milk if the batter is too thick.
Step 3: Get Flipping!
- Heat your frying pan over medium heat (I use setting 3 out of 6).
- Lightly oil your pan using a brush or spray.
- Ladle two tablespoons of batter per pancake onto the hot pan.
- Cook until you see little bubbles form on the surface of each pancake. Let the bubbles burst before flipping (this ensures the middle is cooked).
- Flip gently and fry for another minute or two.
- Stack the cooked pancakes to keep them warm while you’re making the rest.
Step 4: Plate Up and Devour!
- Serve your stack of chocolate buckwheat pancakes with the stewed cherries and a generous drizzle of the reduced cherry syrup. Maybe add a dusting of cacao powder for extra flair!
Recipe Notes
- DIY Buckwheat Flour: You can make your own flour by grinding raw buckwheat groats in a coffee grinder. Ensure they are raw (not toasted!).
- Aquafaba: No need to reduce aquafaba; use it straight from the can.
Nutritional Info (Per Pancake)
- Calories: 86
- Sugars: 8g
- Fats: 1g
- Saturates: 0g
- Proteins: 2g
- Carbs: 18g
These Chocolate Cherry Dream Pancakes are a perfect way to make your weekend brighter and more delicious. Whether you’re having a quiet breakfast by yourself or feeding a crowd, they're sure to be a hit! Give them a try and let me know what you think!
Tag me in your creations on Instagram using the #healthyeating hashtag. I cannot wait to see your beautiful stacks!
Happy cooking!