Chocolate Pancakes {with Chocolate Sauce, Strawberries and Bananas}

Published May 9, 2013. Updated March 11, 2020

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Truly decadent, soft and fluffy Chocolate Pancakes that are perfect for a holiday or weekend breakfast! Finish them with chocolate ganache and fresh fruit for an over-the-top treat.

stack of Chocolate Pancakes topped with chocolate sauce and diced fresh fruit on white plate

Chocolate Pancakes From Scratch

Forget any plans you had for that last minute gift you were going to buy Mom. She’ll pretend to love it, but really that’s just not her style because your mother was from an entirely different generation and her idea of fashion is so different from yours.

So that gift will just end up stashed away on the top shelf of her closet and she may pull it out and wear it once (while trying to make it look worn) when you show up for the holidays … so make these for her instead. It’s the only gift Mom’s really care about, chocolate.

Plus, it goes back to what Mom always said growing up, she’d rather have something you made than something you bought, right? I want this for breakfast in my bed at 10:00 am on Sunday.

Because I’m sleeping in because I’ve worked hard as a mom and that’s my reward. So, I want to wake to these, in a tray, at the foot of my bed.

That is my idea of a fairytale world; who needs prince charming when you got a heaping stack of these babies? Scoot over handsome, you’re blocking my view of that homemade chocolate sauce.

I’m really joking, I love cooking and baking so I’m sure I will be making breakfast for myself on Mother’s Day. The dishes however, yes, Steve, those are all yours (my husband somehow thinks he doesn’t have to give me special treatment, fancy gifts and extra love on mothers day because I’m not his Mom. I say that’s a rip off!).

No, I don’t eat breakfast like this very often, these chocolate pancakes are more of a dessert than a breakfast. But for special occasions, a heaping stack of chocolate pancakes covered with a decadent chocolate sauce and fresh fruit is basically a must, even for breakfast.

These also could easily pass for a last-minute birthday cake. You could have it ready and “frosted” in nearly 20 minutes and no one needs to know you procrastinated. They’ll just think you’re awesome for doing something out of the ordinary.

Chocolate Pancake Ingredients

For the chocolate pancakes, you’ll need:

  • Granulated sugar
  • Cocoa powder
  • Light brown sugar
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Whole milk
  • Low-fat buttermilk
  • Eggs
  • Vegetable oil
  • Vanilla extract
  • Strawberry and banana slices

And for the chocolate sauce, you’ll need:

  • Chocolate chips
  • Heavy cream

stack of Chocolate Pancakes on white plate

How to Make Chocolate Pancakes

  • Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk together wet ingredients in liquid measuring cup.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry, then mix to combine.
  • Pour chocolate pancake batter onto preheated griddle and cook until pancakes are fluffy.
  • To make the homemade chocolate sauce, heat heavy cream in saucepan until it begins to boil gently.
  • Pour hot cream over chocolate chips and whisk to combine.

Can I Use a Buttermilk Substitute?

If you don’t have real buttermilk on hand, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice or vinegar to a liquid measuring cup, then pour in enough milk to reach 1/2 cup. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes before adding to the pancake batter.

How to Freeze Pancakes

This easy pancake recipe makes enough pancakes for six servings, so you may wind up with leftovers.

If that’s the case, place cooled pancakes on cookie sheet and place in freezer. Once hardened, transfer the chocolate pancakes to a freezer bag and reheat in the toaster or oven when you’re ready to enjoy them.

Tips for the Best Pancakes

  • The chocolate sauce will thicken as it cools. To thin it out, stir in a little more hot cream or warm over a pot of boiling water.
  • Whole milk is best in these homemade pancakes. The fat adds flavor and keeps them super moist.
  • Make sure you’re using unsweetened cocoa powder for this recipe.

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5 from 1 vote

Chocolate Pancakes with Chocolate Sauce

Truly decadent, soft and fluffy Chocolate Pancakes that are perfect for a holiday or weekend breakfast! Finish them with chocolate ganache and fresh fruit for an over the top treat. Makes about 12 pancakes.
Servings: 6 (2 per person)
Prep20 minutes
Cook10 minutes
Ready in: 30 minutes

Ingredients

Chocolate Pancakes

Chocolate Sauce

Instructions

For the pancakes:

  • Preheat an electric griddle to 350 degrees F. In a mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar and cocoa until well combined.
  • Stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Make a well in center of dry mixture and set aside. 
  • In a separate mixing bowl whisk together milk, buttermilk, eggs, vegetable oil and vanilla. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and whisk to blend (don't overmix, batter should still have some lumps). 
  • Butter griddle if necessary, pour batter onto preheated griddle 1/4 cup at a time and slightly spread batter in a circular form outward (so the centers aren't so much thicker than edges) and allow to cook until bubbles begin to appear on the surface, about 1 minute.
  • Then carefully flip to pancake to opposite side and cook until done. Serve warm topped with chocolate sauce, strawberries and bananas.
  • FOR THE CHOCOLATE SAUCE: Place chocolate chips in a medium heat proof bowl. Bring heavy cream just to a gentle boil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  • Pour hot cream over chocolate chips and stir until chocolate has melted.*

Notes

  • *Note that chocolate sauce will thicken as it cools. If you want a thinner consistency you can add a few more tbsp hot cream. Reheat as needed in a bowl over a pan of simmering water.
  • Recipe Source: Cooking Classy
Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Pancakes with Chocolate Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 653 Calories from Fat 315
% Daily Value*
Fat 35g54%
Saturated Fat 22g138%
Cholesterol 117mg39%
Sodium 500mg22%
Potassium 230mg7%
Carbohydrates 79g26%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 49g54%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 789IU16%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 145mg15%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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45 Comments

  • ELISSA AMADOR

    This recipe is GREAT! DELICIOUS!!! I turned these into waffles by adding a little less milk. Both my kids loved them and my folks too! I served them with some whip cream and fresh cherries!
    Thank you for your recipe!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      You’re welcome! So glad you like them! I’ll have to try as waffles next!

  • Mark

    I just made these and they are great! I have tried two other recipes, but they were no good. These are perfect, they are just like chocolate cake; fluffy with a perfect balance of sweetness and chocolate flavor. Thank you very much

  • sangeetha menon

    Yummy..yummy…yummilicious…I have nothing more to tell… the pics are so inviting…am drooling….

  • Tam

    Honey, you need to add a warning to these: Caution: Highly Addictive!

    I made them just now for Valentine’s Day. What a treat!

    I have thought about making some ever since the Chocolate Bakery and Cafe closed (wtf Albuquerque?), but never got around to it.

    Thank you for your divine recipe.

  • Skip Sheehan

    I made just the pancakes today with a few modifications:
    Greek yogurt instead of buttermilk
    Subbed applesauce for half the oil
    Added 1/2 tsp cinnamon
    Used whole wheat flour

    The batter turned out very thick (because of my mods?) and so I added more milk to thin it out. I also noticed my normal griddle setting resulted in things getting a little burnt (because of the thickness?), so I had to turn it down and the rest turned out much better.

    My wife said they were some of the best pancakes she’s ever eaten… and I’ve made lots of pancakes…

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I’m so happy to hear they were enjoyed Skip! Thanks for your tips and review!

      • Skip Sheehan

        I’ve made the recipe with the same mods twice since the initial time and both times they turned out better. I must have messed up something the first time.

        Wife and kids are requesting them again, so here we go with round four! I always double the recipe and stick the leftovers in the freezer. One through the toaster oven and 15 seconds in the micro and it’s a quick easy school morning breakfast

  • Chocolate Pancakes with Raspberry Syrup

    […] Anyway, these pancake pictures were tucked away on my hard-drive last week, so I thought reminiscing about this chocolaty treat might make me feel better. I first saw the idea over at Cooking Classy. She totally took hers over-the-top with chocolate sauce and fresh strawberries and bananas. You must check it out HERE! […]