For years green pancakes have been a tradition at our house on St. Patrick’s Day; but when I came across these Mint Chocolate Chip Pancakes I thought, now there’s the real luck of the Irish!

Of course Mint Chocolate Chip reminds me of a favorite ice cream flavor . . . so I admit I was little skeptical of putting the combination into pancakes.  Not any more, these pancakes are amazingly good; they have just the right amount of mint to go along with the chocolate.  You can serve them with syrup, but for a truly “magical” breakfast experience I would recommend a little Hot Fudge Sauce  and  whipped cream!  {It is a celebration after all.}

Want to take it up another notch?  Serve them for dessert with hot fudge and a scoop of vanilla ice cream – your family will think they are the luckiest ever!!

Mint Chocolate Chip Pancakes Recipe

Ingredients

1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled to lukewarm, plus more for cooking
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure mint extract (or pure peppermint extract)
3 to 4 drops green food coloring (optional)
3/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus more for garnish
Whipped cream for serving
Vanilla ice cream for serving
Hot Fudge for serving

Directions

Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl.

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.

Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat.  Spread 1/2 tablespoon of butter on the hot skillet.   Pour 1/4 cup of pancake batter onto the skillet for each pancake.  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.

Serve warm with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce, and more chocolate chips, if desired.  Makes about 12 pancakes.

Recipe from Breakfast for Dinner, Linsay Landis and  Taylor Hackbarth

Have a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day!