{Healthier} Valentine's Day Red Velvet Pancakes

Boy, are you in for a treat today!

If you were looking for a special Valentine's Day breakfast, look no further!

I have got the perfect recipe for you!

They are fluffy, moist, and sweet. Did I mention they smell divine?

AND they are a little bit healthier for you than your typical red velvet pancakes.

But I promise you won't be able to tell! Pinky promise.

These taste just as decadent as any red velvet dessert you've had.

(And they're pretty too!)

They are made using whole wheat flour, almond milk, organic cane sugar, and coconut oil 

rather than all-purpose flour, cow's milk, white sugar, and butter.

But to be honest, that's about as healthy as it gets...the rest of the ingredients are, well,

typical of red velvet desserts. ;) 

 { Healthier} Red Velvet Pancakes
             (with a Cream Cheese Glaze)

Inspired by:  Cooking Classy and Mother Thyme
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: ~14 pancakes
Nutrition (per pancake, without cream cheese glaze):
Calories (77), Fat (2.1g), Carbs (12.7g), Fiber (1.9g), Sugars (3.7g), Protein (2.3g)

Ingredients:

• 1 c. whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. dutch processed cocoa powder
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 c. unsweetened vanilla almond milk (regular milk works fine too!)
• 1 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
• 4 Tbsp. raw organic cane sugar
• 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
• 1 medium egg
• 1 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2+ tsp. red food coloring

Directions:

1. Preheat electronic non-stick griddle to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and white wine vinegar. Let sit for 2 minutes.
4. Add to the milk mixture: the cane sugar, powdered sugar, egg, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Whisk well to combine. Add more food coloring as needed to get desired coloring.
5. Add milk mixture to dry ingredients and mix until just combined. 
6. Spray griddle with cooking spray, if necessary. Scoop about 1/4 c. of batter onto hot griddle at a time for each pancake. Cook until bubbles begin to form on top of pancakes and a spatula can easily slide underneath (about 2-3 minutes). Flip pancakes and cook for about another 2-3 minutes or until the pancakes are cooked through. Try not to overcook them or they will turn out looking brownish-red.
7. Serve warm with a cream cheese glaze (see recipe below), fresh berries, and/or powdered sugar sprinkled on top.
8. Enjoy with your sweetheart or all by yourself! ;)

Notes: If you like a sweeter pancake, add more sugar to taste. I didn't find more sugar necessary with the cream cheese glaze over them, though. If you're really wanting to be healthy this Valentine's Day, try using beet juice as the red food coloring--I have never tried it, but I have seen some recipes do that!

Cream Cheese Glaze

Ingredients:

• 6 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/8-1/4 c. unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or regular milk)
• 1-2 c. powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Using a hand mixer, mix the cream cheese, vanilla extract, and milk in a medium-sized bowl.
2. Add powered sugar to cream cheese mixture 1/4 c. at a time until desired sweetness and consistency is reached.
3. If mixture is thinner than wanted, add more powdered sugar. If it is thicker than wanted, add more milk.
4. Enjoy over pancakes, french toast, cinnamon rolls, and anything else your heart desires!