MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP PANCAKES

Mint Chocolate Chip Pancakes image

There's nothing as delightful as a towering stack of fluffy pancakes. Unless those pancakes happen to be reminiscent of your favorite mint chocolate chip ice cream. The green food coloring here is optional but adds nicely to the appeal.

Provided by Vicki Butts (lazyme)

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 1/3 c all purpose flour
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 c buttermilk
1 large egg
2 Tbsp butter, melted and cooled to lukewarm, plus more for cooking
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp pure mint extract (see note below)
3 drops green food coloring, optional
3/4 c mini semisweet chocolate chips, plus more for topping
whipped cream for serving
vanilla ice cream for serving, optional
hot fudge sauce, homemade or purchased, for serving, optional

Steps:

1. Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl.
2. Whisk together buttermilk, egg, butter, extracts, and food coloring (if using) in a small bowl. Add to dry ingredients and stir until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add 1/2 tablespoon butter; it should sizzle and melt almost immediately. Ladle 1/4 cup of pancake batter into skillet for each pancake, taking care not to let the pancakes run together. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until bottom is golden brown and edges begin to bubble, then carefully flip and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer to plates. Repeat with remaining batter.
4. Serve warm with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce, and more chocolate chips, if desired.
5. Pancakes Inspired by Ice Creams Candy Cane Pancakes: Replace mint extract with peppermint extract. Add 1/4 cup finely chopped candy canes along with or in place of chocolate chips. Use red food coloring instead of green. Almond Chip Pancakes: Replace mint extract with almond extract. Add 1/4 cup chopped almonds to batter. Omit food coloring. Plain Old Chocolate Chip Pancakes: Omit mint extract and increase vanilla extract to 1 teaspoon; omit food coloring.
6. Cooks' Note: Mint and peppermint extracts are similar but not identical in flavor. Mint extract typically contains both peppermint and spearmint, whereas pure peppermint is popular in holiday treats like candy canes. Use whichever minty extract you prefer.
7. Makes 12 pancakes.