Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (you can substitute with whole wheat pastry flour for a nuttier flavor)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice, let sit for 5 minutes)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for cooking
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring (adjust to your preferred shade)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This dry mix is the foundation of our pancakes, just like Nonna Rosa’s precise measuring was the foundation of her sauces.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg lightly. Then add the buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Stir until the mixture is smooth and uniform in color.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold together with a spatula. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. This step reminds me of watching my mother Elena mix batter effortlessly, never fussing but always knowing just the right touch.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with butter. To form heart shapes, I like to use a squeeze bottle or a piping bag—it gives you control to draw perfect hearts, much like the careful strokes Nonna Rosa used when decorating her pastries.
- Carefully pipe or spoon the batter into heart shapes on the hot skillet. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set.
- Flip the pancakes gently and cook for another 1-2 minutes until cooked through and slightly springy to the touch. The smell at this stage always takes me back to cozy family breakfasts by the Monterey coast.
- Transfer the pancakes to a warm plate and repeat with remaining batter, adding more butter to the skillet as needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
