If you’re looking for a fun twist on breakfast that’s sure to brighten anyone’s morning, you’re in the right place! This Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Pancakes Recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate—perfect for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or just when you want to treat your loved ones. I absolutely love how these pancakes come out thick, fluffy, and dotted with melty mini chocolate chips, all shaped in the sweetest little hearts. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step so your breakfast turns out just right.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creative & Appealing: The heart shape adds a charming, personal touch that makes breakfast feel special without extra fuss.
- Fluffy & Moist Texture: Thanks to applesauce and buttermilk, these pancakes are thick and tender every time.
- Chocolate Chip Goodness: Mini chocolate chips throughout bring sweet surprises in every bite!
- Easy To Make: Even if you’ve never tried shaped pancakes before, my tips make it simple and stress-free.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together beautifully to create pancakes that are fluffy, flavorful, and perfectly sweet. I always recommend using fresh baking powder and good-quality mini chocolate chips to get the best results.

- All-purpose flour: The base for pancakes—keeps them light yet sturdy enough to hold their shape.
- Baking soda: Works with buttermilk to add fluff and lift.
- Baking powder: Gives extra rise so your pancakes puff up perfectly.
- Sea salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Cane sugar: Adds subtle sweetness without overpowering.
- Unsweetened applesauce: Adds moisture and tenderness, plus a hint of natural sweetness.
- Buttermilk: The secret to fluffy, slightly tangy pancakes that taste homemade.
- Canola oil or butter: Keeps pancakes rich and prevents sticking on the griddle.
- Mini chocolate chips: Smaller size means chocolate melts more evenly throughout.
Variations
I like to keep this Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Pancakes Recipe versatile so you can make it your own. Whether you want to adjust sweetness, add mix-ins, or keep it allergy-friendly, there’s a way to do it!
- Gluten-Free: Swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend—just make sure it includes xanthan gum for structure. I’ve done this with great success!
- Vegan Twist: Replace buttermilk with almond or oat milk mixed with a splash of apple cider vinegar, and swap eggs with applesauce as the recipe already uses. It still turns out wonderfully fluffy.
- Berry Boost: Toss in fresh or frozen blueberries or sliced strawberries along with the chocolate chips for extra freshness.
- Nut Butter Addition: Stir in a spoonful of almond or peanut butter for a rich, nutty flavor that pairs amazingly with chocolate.
How to Make Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Pancakes Recipe
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, and cane sugar in a large bowl. I like to sift these ingredients—it helps get rid of lumps and evenly distributes the rising agents, which means fluffier pancakes.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Create a small well in the center of the dry mix with your spoon. Pour in the unsweetened applesauce, buttermilk, and canola oil. Stir gently just until everything is combined. Don’t worry if the batter seems thick—that’s exactly what you want for the best shape retention on your pancakes.
Step 3: Fold in Mini Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips so they’re evenly distributed but not overly stirred. This keeps the batter from becoming tough and ensures you get chocolate in every bite without it sinking to the bottom.
Step 4: Prepare Your Cooking Surface and Cookie Cutter
Lightly spray your griddle or skillet with cooking spray, as well as the heart-shaped cookie cutter you’ll use. Place both on medium-low heat—this slower temperature helps your pancakes cook evenly without burning before the center cooks through.
Step 5: Shape and Cook Your Pancakes
Set the greased cookie cutter on the griddle. Spoon the batter inside the cutter, spreading it gently to the edges to get a clean heart shape. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, then carefully remove the cutter (this part makes flipping way easier!). Continue cooking for another couple of minutes until the edges look golden brown. Flip and cook the other side until the pancake is cooked through.
Step 6: Keep Warm and Repeat
As your pancakes finish cooking, place them on a baking sheet covered with foil in a slightly warmed oven. This keeps them warm and soft while you cook the rest. Repeat these steps with remaining batter, and soon you’ll have a batch of adorable, tasty heart-shaped pancakes ready to enjoy.
Pro Tips for Making Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Pancakes Recipe
- Don’t Overmix: I learned that stirring the batter only until just combined keeps your pancakes fluffy, not tough or rubbery.
- Use Medium-Low Heat: Cooking over too high heat browned the edges before the center was done—go slower for even cooking.
- Grease Your Cutter Well: Spraying inside the cookie cutter stops the batter from sticking and helps keep perfect heart shapes.
- Remove Cookie Cutter Early: Taking the cutter off after 1-2 minutes makes flipping easier and keeps the shape crisp.
How to Serve Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Pancakes Recipe

Garnishes
I love topping these pancakes with a simple dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of real maple syrup—that combo is just unbeatable. Fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries add a nice fresh contrast, but if I’m feeling decadent, a little whipped cream on top seals the deal perfectly.
Side Dishes
My family goes crazy for a side of crispy breakfast bacon or sausage links with these pancakes. If you want to keep it lighter, a bowl of Greek yogurt with honey and nuts pairs wonderfully. Oh, and fresh orange juice can’t be skipped!
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to stack a few heart-shaped pancakes and sprinkle edible flower petals around the plate—it makes the whole breakfast feel festive. You can also pipe whipped cream hearts, or serve mini bowls of chocolate chips and berries on the side for guests to customize their own pancake tops.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually stack leftover pancakes between parchment paper in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. Because the batter uses buttermilk, I try to eat leftovers within 2-3 days to keep them fresh and safe.
Freezing
These pancakes freeze beautifully! I place them flat on a baking sheet to flash freeze for about an hour, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container with parchment in between layers to prevent sticking. It’s so convenient to reheat a heart-shaped breakfast on busy mornings.
Reheating
To bring leftovers back to life, I pop them in a toaster or toaster oven for a few minutes—this helps restore crisp edges and warm, melty chocolate chips. Microwaving works too but can leave them a bit soggy, so I reserve that for a quick solution.
FAQs
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Can I make the pancakes without a cookie cutter?
Absolutely! If you don’t have a heart-shaped cookie cutter, you can pour the batter into rounded shapes and then, once cooked, use a sharp knife to carefully trim the pancakes into hearts. Alternatively, freehand pouring with a squeeze bottle is a fun way to shape pancakes as you get more comfortable.
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Why is the batter so thick for this Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Pancakes Recipe?
The thicker batter helps the pancakes hold their shape inside the cookie cutter without spreading out too much. It also creates a fluffier, more tender texture. Resist the urge to thin it out with extra milk!
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Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of mini chocolate chips?
You can, but mini chocolate chips distribute more evenly and melt nicely within this thicker batter. Larger chips might sink or create uneven pockets of chocolate. If regular chips are all you have, chop them smaller before mixing in.
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How do I know when to flip the pancakes?
Unlike thinner pancakes that dimple and bubble on top, this thick batter doesn’t always show obvious bubbling. I watch for the edges to turn golden brown and firm up before flipping gently with a spatula.
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Can I substitute the applesauce for something else?
Yes! Unsweetened applesauce adds moisture and tenderness, but you can substitute mashed banana or plain yogurt if you prefer a different flavor profile. Keep in mind this may subtly change taste and texture.
Final Thoughts
This Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Pancakes Recipe is truly one of my favorite ways to show a little love through breakfast. Whether you’re surprising a special someone or treating yourself, these pancakes are easy to make and always bring smiles. Give them a try—you might just find, like I did, that the secret ingredient is the joy of making something beautiful and delicious from scratch. Happy cooking and heart-shaped eating!
Print
Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Pancakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 pancakes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these charming heart-shaped pancakes studded with mini chocolate chips, perfect for a romantic breakfast or a fun brunch treat. Made with a thick, fluffy batter incorporating buttermilk and applesauce for moisture and tenderness, these pancakes are cooked on a griddle with the help of a cookie cutter to achieve their adorable shape.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons cane sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 3 tablespoons canola oil or butter
Add-ins
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk or sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, and cane sugar in a large bowl until well mixed.
- Create Well: Use a spoon to make a depression or well in the center of the dry ingredients to prepare for the wet ingredients.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the unsweetened applesauce, buttermilk, and canola oil (or melted butter) into the well you created in the dry mix.
- Mix Batter: Stir all ingredients together gently just until moistened; the batter will be thick and slightly lumpy, which is perfect for fluffy pancakes.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Carefully fold the mini chocolate chips into the batter without overmixing to evenly distribute them.
- Prep Cooking Surface: Lightly spray your griddle or skillet and the heart-shaped cookie cutter with cooking spray, then heat the griddle on medium-low.
- Form Pancakes: Place the greased cookie cutter on the hot griddle, spoon batter into the cutter, and spread the batter evenly to the edges to create heart shapes.
- Cook First Side: Let the pancake cook for 1 to 2 minutes until it sets and then carefully remove the cookie cutter.
- Cook Second Side: Continue cooking the pancake for another 2 to 3 minutes, flipping carefully. Cook on low to medium heat until the edges turn golden brown and pancake is cooked through.
- Keep Warm: Transfer cooked pancakes to a covered baking sheet placed in a warm spot or slightly heated oven to keep warm while cooking the rest.
- Serve Warm: Once all pancakes are cooked, serve them immediately while warm to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Unlike traditional pancakes that dimple when ready to flip, this thick batter may not dimple; cook for about 1-2 minutes before flipping.
- Keep cooked pancakes warm in a slightly heated oven on a cookie sheet until all are ready to serve.
- Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container and refrigerate promptly due to the milk content.
- Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or on a skillet to preserve their texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pancake
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg

