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Gilmore Girls Luke’s Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 111 reviews

Luke’s Pumpkin Pancakes from Gilmore Girls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with warm autumn flavors from pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice. Paired with a sweet, cinnamon-spiced butter topping and drizzled with maple syrup, these pancakes offer a cozy, indulgent breakfast perfect for fall or anytime comfort food cravings.

Ingredients

Scale

Pancakes

  • 3 tbsp browned unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Cinnamon Butter Topping

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 8 tbsp brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

To Serve

  • Maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Brown the Butter and Prepare Mise en Place: Heat 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, swirling occasionally until the butter turns golden brown and emits a nutty aroma, about 2 to 4 minutes. Pour into a bowl and let it cool slightly while gathering and measuring the remaining ingredients. Ensure eggs, buttermilk, and softened butter are at room temperature for best batter consistency.
  2. Build the Wet Ingredient Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cooled browned butter, pumpkin puree, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar until smooth. Add the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract and whisk until fully combined but avoid overmixing to keep the batter cohesive and light.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients and Fold into Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Pour these dry ingredients into the wet mixture and gently fold together with a spatula until just combined. Some lumps are ideal to prevent tough pancakes.
  4. Make the Cinnamon Butter Topping: In a small bowl, mix the softened 4 tablespoons butter, 8 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon until fully combined and spreadable. Set aside at room temperature to remain soft.
  5. Cook the Pancakes: Heat a griddle or non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly butter the surface. Pour 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the heated surface, spacing them apart. Cook for about 1 1/2 minutes until the bottoms are golden and bubbles form on top, then flip and cook the other side for another 1 1/2 minutes until golden and cooked through.
  6. Plate and Serve: Stack the warm pancakes on plates. Generously top each stack with a dollop of the cinnamon butter, allowing it to melt over the pancakes. Drizzle with pure maple syrup and serve immediately for the best flavor and warmth.

Notes

  • Use room temperature eggs and buttermilk to achieve a smooth batter.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep pancakes tender and fluffy.
  • Browned butter adds a deep, nutty flavor essential to the recipe’s character.
  • The cinnamon butter topping can be prepared ahead and kept at room temperature.
  • Use a griddle for cooking multiple pancakes simultaneously to serve hot pancakes for everyone.

Keywords: pumpkin pancakes, Gilmore Girls recipe, Luke’s pumpkin pancakes, fall breakfast, cinnamon butter pancakes, pumpkin spice pancakes

Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/gilmore-girls-lukes-pumpkin-pancakes-recipe/