Red Velvet Heart Pancakes

Make these for that special someone. Pour the batter into a squeeze bottle to easily form the heart shapes on your griddle or nonstick skillet.

Ingredients

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons whole milk
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Fine salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup melted and cooled butter, plus more for griddle
2 teaspoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Maple syrup, for serving
Toasted, chopped pecans, for serving

Directions

Whisk the cream cheese, sour cream, milk and confectioners’ sugar until smooth in a medium bowl; set aside.

Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt into a large bowl. Beat the eggs and granulated sugar in a large bowl until pale yellow; beat in the buttermilk, melted butter, food coloring, vanilla and vinegar. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and fold just until incorporated. Transfer some of the batter to a squeeze bottle with a 1/4-inch opening.

Heat a griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Lightly coat the hot skillet with melted butter and squeeze some of the batter onto it in the outline of a heart or hearts of the desired size. Fill in each outline with more batter; use a spatula to spread it to the edges of the heart. Cook each pancake until bubbles begin to pop on the surface, about 3 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until the bottom is set and the pancake is cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Drizzle the cream cheese mixture and maple syrup on top of the pancakes and sprinkle with pecans.

Recipe courtesy of FoodNetwork.com