Hot chocolate is delightful on its own, but turning that cozy flavor into pancakes—topped with chocolate syrup and mini marshmallows—is a treat that feels extra-special. These hot chocolate pancakes are slightly decadent, so they’re perfect for weekends, brunches, or special occasions like Valentine’s Day.
The recipe is simple and semi-homemade: you only need your favorite boxed pancake mix plus powdered hot chocolate to infuse the batter with that rich cocoa taste. It’s an easy twist that yields fluffy, chocolatey pancakes in just a few minutes. Below you’ll find the ingredients and straightforward steps to make about ten medium pancakes.
Ingredients (makes 10 medium pancakes)
- Your favorite pancake mix
- Any additional wet ingredients the pancake mix requires (eggs, milk/water, oil—follow the package directions)
- 3–6 tablespoons of powdered hot chocolate mix (see notes)
- Cooking spray or butter for the pan
Note: For a full batch of about 10 medium pancakes, use around 6 tablespoons of hot chocolate powder. If you halve the recipe to make five pancakes, reduce the powder to about 3 tablespoons to keep the chocolate flavor balanced.
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: the pancake mix, any dry extras called for on the mix package, and the powdered hot chocolate. Stir until the dry components are evenly mixed.
2. Add the wet ingredients required by your pancake mix (for example, eggs, milk or water, oil) and stir until the batter is smooth and free of lumps. Do not reconstitute the hot chocolate powder with water or milk separately—add it only as dry powder into the batter.
3. Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat and grease it lightly with butter or cooking spray. Use a 1/4-cup scoop or measuring cup to pour batter for each pancake (this size makes a medium pancake). Cook until bubbles form at the surface and the edges look set, then flip and brown the other side. Adjust the heat if the pancakes are browning too quickly.
4. Serve warm. Top each stack with mini marshmallows and a drizzle of chocolate syrup for an indulgent finish. If you like, add whipped cream, crushed graham crackers for a s’mores vibe, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Recipe by Cori Maass / Photography Brittni Mehlhoff
Will you try these hot chocolate pancakes?