Sourdough Pumpkin Spice Pancakes with Cinnamon Maple Syrup
Fluffy sourdough pancakes infused with pumpkin puree and warm spices, served with a homemade cinnamon maple syrup for a cozy fall breakfast or brunch. This American-inspired Thanksgiving recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, layers active sourdough starter, all-purpose flour, pumpkin puree into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup active sourdough starter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp, melted plus more for cooking unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp (for syrup) ground cinnamon
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup active sourdough starter, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 3/4 cup milk, and 1 large egg until smooth.
- Step 2: Add 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp salt to the batter. Stir in 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter until well combined.
- Step 3: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and brush with melted butter. Pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake onto the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until bubbles form on the surface and edges look set. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until golden and cooked through. Repeat with remaining batter.
- Step 4: For the cinnamon maple syrup, gently warm 1/2 cup pure maple syrup with 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon in a small saucepan over low heat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 5: Serve pancakes stacked with the cinnamon maple syrup drizzled over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sourdough Pumpkin Spice Pancakes with Cinnamon Maple Syrup take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Sourdough Pumpkin Spice Pancakes with Cinnamon Maple Syrup?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sourdough Pumpkin Spice Pancakes with Cinnamon Maple Syrup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sourdough Pumpkin Spice Pancakes with Cinnamon Maple Syrup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sourdough Pumpkin Spice Pancakes with Cinnamon Maple Syrup?
American thanksgiving like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect balance of pumpkin spice and sourdough depth—this recipe is now my family's holiday tradition. The cinnamon maple syrup made it feel truly festive!
- ★★★★★
The sourdough base gave these pancakes such a rich, complex flavor that made my Thanksgiving brunch feel extra special. My kids kept asking for seconds!
- ★★★★☆
Made these for my sister's birthday brunch—flavor was amazing, but the sourdough fermentation took longer than the recipe suggested. Worth the wait though!
