Spiced Churro Pancakes with Cinnamon Sugar Butter
Fluffy pancakes infused with cinnamon and nutmeg, topped with a cinnamon sugar butter that melts into every bite, inspired by traditional churros. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 25 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder 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 350 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 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1 large egg
- 3 tbsp, melted plus 4 tbsp for cinnamon butter unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (for cinnamon sugar) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp (for cinnamon sugar) ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly combined.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk 1 1/4 cups milk, 1 large egg, 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold until just combined; do not overmix to keep pancakes fluffy.
- Step 4: Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with butter or oil; pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake and cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbles form on the surface and edges look set.
- Step 5: Flip pancakes and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until golden brown and cooked through; keep warm.
- Step 6: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup granulated sugar with 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 4 tbsp softened unsalted butter until well combined to form cinnamon sugar butter.
- Step 7: Serve pancakes stacked, topped with a generous dollop of cinnamon sugar butter that melts deliciously over the warm pancakes.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Churro Pancakes with Cinnamon Sugar Butter take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Spiced Churro Pancakes with Cinnamon Sugar Butter?
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 Spiced Churro Pancakes with Cinnamon Sugar Butter?
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 Spiced Churro Pancakes with Cinnamon Sugar Butter 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 Spiced Churro Pancakes with Cinnamon Sugar Butter?
American desserts 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.