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Extraordinarily delicious from-scratch cornbread pancakes drizzled with homemade butter pecan syrup. A trip to food heaven!
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Stack of cornbread pancakes on a white plate

This recipe for butter pecan syrup with cornbread pancakes comes to you via a request from my friend Shawn. He’s been asking me to post a recipe for butter pecan syrup, and today I finally did! This one’s for you, Shawn.

These have to be some of the best pancakes I have ever eaten. Seriously. One of my biggest complaints when it comes to pancakes is that they soak up too much syrup and become soggy. These don’t. They are dense, and that helps prevent them from becoming syrup-logged. I appreciate that. Our peanut butter pancakes are like that also.

Despite the fact that these cornbread pancakes contain no buttermilk, they are still very fluffy inside. I am sure you will enjoy them!

What You’ll Love About This Recipe


  • Simple and Quick. Despite the complex flavors, this recipe is straightforward and can be whipped up in a short amount of time, making it perfect for a weekend breakfast or brunch.
  • Homemade Goodness. Making both the pancakes and syrup from scratch allows you to control the quality of the ingredients and adjust the sweetness and flavor to your liking.
  • Versatile Syrup. The butter pecan syrup is not just for pancakes; it can be drizzled over waffles, French toast, or even ice cream, making it a versatile addition to your breakfast repertoire.
  • Comfort Food. The warm, buttery, and slightly crunchy pecans combined with the fluffy cornbread pancakes create a comforting and satisfying meal that’s perfect for cozy mornings.
  • Elevated Pancakes. Cornbread pancakes offer a unique twist on the classic pancake, adding depth and a slightly rustic feel that’s both hearty and delicious.

Ingredients

Pancakes

  • All-purpose flour (1¼ cups).
  • Cornmeal (¾ cup). The cornmeal gives these pancakes their distinctive flavor.
  • Granulated sugar (¼ cup).
  • Baking powder (2 teaspoons). Necessary for rise.
  • Salt (½ teaspoon). Enhances flavor.
  • Large egg (1), beaten. Necessary for structure and rise.
  • Milk (1⅓ cup). I tested this recipe with whole milk, but reduced fat, lactose-free or nut milk should work as well.
  • Vegetable oil (¼ cup). Any neutral-flavored oil like safflower or canola oil will work as a substitute. You can also substitute unflavored (refined) liquefied coconut oil.

Butter Pecan Syrup

  • Granulated sugar (2 cups).
  • Water (1 cup).
  • Chopped pecans (½ cup).
  • Butter pecan or maple extract (1 teaspoon). I used maple.
  • Salted butter (¼ cup).

Instructions

Pancakes

Step 1. In a large bowl whisk together dry ingredients: flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt.

Step 2. In a separate medium bowl, combine wet ingredients: egg, milk and vegetable oil.

Step 3. Pour wet ingredients into bowl with dry ingredients. Whisk together until just combined. Do not overmix. Leave any lumps.

Step 4. Spray skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add pancake batter ¼ to ⅓ cup at a time, depending on how large you want your pancakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until batter bubbles and bubbles begin to burst. Flip pancakes and cook on other side for 1-2 minutes. You may need to lower heat to low to keep your pancakes from burning. When pancakes are done, remove to a plate and tent loosely with aluminum foil to keep them warm. Prepare syrup.

I think the hardest part about making these pancakes is refraining from trying to get all the lumps out of the batter. You really do want to mix your wet ingredients into your dry ingredients until just combined. You’ll have lumps, but please resist the urge to keep stirring until they’re gone. Trust me. Otherwise you’ll end up with dense pancakes. Not the light and fluffy ones that we all know and love. Don’t worry about the lumps. It all works out. I promise.

Looking for more information about making pancakes? Visit our complete guide for making homemade pancakes from scratch, including detailed ingredient information, step-by-step instructions and more!

Butter pecan syrup in a glass carafe.

Butter Pecan Syrup

Now the syrup couldn’t be easier. The one piece of advice that I have to offer with that is to make sure you keep stirring while you’re dissolving your sugar in the water. Burnt sugar is not a good thing. Believe me. Been there, done that. Just keep stirring and you’ll be fine. Once the mixture is boiling, give a few more stirs, then just lower heat to low, add pecans and simmer for five minutes. Remove from heat, stir in the butter and extract. Easy peezy.

Step 1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, boil water and sugar until sugar is dissolved.

Step 2. Add pecans. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in extract and butter.

I skimmed the pecans off the top and reserved them in a small bowl. Then I poured the syrup into a small carafe for easier pouring. The pecans can be spooned onto the pancakes separately. Serve with warm pancakes.

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    Tips for Success


    • Use Fresh Ingredients. Make sure your baking powder and cornmeal are fresh to achieve the best rise and texture in your pancakes.
    • Don’t Overmix the Batter. Mix the wet and dry ingredients just until combined to avoid tough, dense pancakes.
    • Control the Heat. Cook the pancakes on medium to low heat to prevent burning the outside while leaving the inside undercooked.
    • Adjust the Syrup Consistency. Simmer the syrup longer for a thicker consistency or add more water for a thinner syrup.
    • Toast the Pecans. Lightly toast the chopped pecans in a dry skillet before adding them to the syrup to enhance their flavor and crunch.
    • Warm Your Syrup. Serve the butter pecan syrup warm for the best flavor and consistency.
    • Keep Pancakes Warm. Tent the cooked pancakes loosely with aluminum foil or place them in a warm oven (about 200 F) to keep them warm while cooking the rest.
    • Try Different Extracts. Experiment with different extracts like vanilla or almond in the syrup to create new flavor profiles.
    • Serve with Extra Pecans. Reserve some toasted pecans to sprinkle on top of the pancakes for added texture and a beautiful presentation.
    • Make Extra Syrup. The syrup stores well in the fridge for up to a week, so consider making extra to enjoy with other breakfast dishes or desserts.

    Storage

    Pancakes

    • Refrigeration. Allow the pancakes to cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
    • Freezing. For longer storage, you can freeze the pancakes. Place a sheet of parchment paper between each pancake to prevent them from sticking together, then store them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
    • Reheating. To reheat, you can use the microwave, toaster, or oven. For microwaving, wrap pancakes in a damp paper towel and heat in 20-second intervals until warmed through. If using a toaster, toast the pancakes on a low setting until heated. For the oven, place the pancakes on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and warm in a preheated 350 F oven for about 10 minutes.

    Butter Pecan Syrup

    • Refrigeration. After the syrup has cooled, store it in an airtight container or a glass jar with a lid. Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
    • Reheating. To reheat the syrup, warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat or microwave it in short 10-15 second bursts, stirring in between, until heated through. Avoid overheating, as this can cause the syrup to thicken too much.
    • Freezing. While not typically necessary, you can freeze the syrup for longer storage. Pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as needed.

    FAQs

    Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour or a gluten-free flour blend if you prefer. However, keep in mind that the texture may change slightly. Whole wheat flour will make the pancakes denser, while gluten-free flour may result in a slightly different consistency.

    Absolutely! You can substitute vegetable oil with other neutral oils like canola oil or melted coconut oil. Each oil may impart a slightly different flavor, so choose one that complements the other ingredients.

    To make fluffier pancakes, make sure you don’t overmix the batter, and consider adding an extra teaspoon of baking powder. Also, let the batter rest for about 5 minutes before cooking to allow the baking powder to activate fully.

    Yes, you can reduce the sugar amount in the syrup to make it less sweet. Start by cutting the sugar down by ¼ cup and adjust to your taste. You can also balance the sweetness by adding a bit more salted butter or a splash of lemon juice.

    Make sure to preheat the skillet and spray it with cooking spray or lightly coat it with butter or oil before adding the batter. Also, avoid flipping the pancakes too early; wait until bubbles form and start to burst on the surface before flipping.

    Related Recipes

    Loved these pancakes? There’s more where that came from.

    Plus a few more syrup recipes to make and enjoy. 🙂

    Bite of cornbread pancakes on a fork

    Made this recipe? We would love it if you could leave a rating. Tap the rate button in the recipe card or leave a comment below. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free e-cookbook of quick and easy breakfast recipes. Thanks!

    Butter Pecan Syrup with Cornbread Pancakes

    Extraordinarily delicious from-scratch cornbread pancakes drizzled with homemade butter pecan syrup. A trip to food heaven!
    Print Recipe Save Rate
    Cornbread pancakes with butter pecan syrup on a white plate
    Prep Time:30 minutes
    Cook Time:30 minutes
    Total Time:1 hour

    Ingredients

    Pancakes

    • cups all purpose flour
    • ¾ cup cornmeal
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 large egg beaten
    • 1⅓ cups milk
    • ¼ cup vegetable oil

    Butter Pecan Syrup

    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • 1 cup water
    • ½ cup chopped pecans
    • 1 teaspoon butter pecan or maple extract I used maple
    • ¼ cup salted butter

    Instructions

    Pancakes

    • In a large bowl whisk together dry ingredients: flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt.
    • In a separate medium bowl, combine wet ingredients: egg, milk and vegetable oil.
    • Pour wet ingredients into bowl with dry ingredients. Whisk together until just combined. Do not overmix. Leave any lumps.
    • Spray skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add pancake batter 1/4 to 1/3 cup at a time, depending on how large you want your pancakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until batter bubbles and bubbles begin to burst. Flip pancakes and cook on other side for 1-2 minutes. You may need to lower heat to low to keep your pancakes from burning. When pancakes are done, remove to a plate and tent loosely with aluminum foil to keep them warm. Prepare syrup.

    Butter Pecan Syrup

    • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, boil water and sugar until sugar is dissolved.
    • Add pecans. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in extract and butter.
      I skimmed the pecans off the top and reserved them in a small bowl. Then I poured the syrup into a small carafe for easier pouring. The pecans can be spooned onto the pancakes separately. Serve with warm pancakes.

    Notes

    Pancake recipe from from Betty Crocker
    Butter pecan syrup recipe from Carroll Pellegrinelli.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 460kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 333mg | Potassium: 97mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 57g | Vitamin A: 223IU | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 1mg
    Servings: 8 pancakes
    Calories: 460kcal
    Fork cutting into a stack of cornbread pancakes

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    4 Comments

    1. Hey there, Sandra! Even though I am not a fan of pancakes I have to say these look really delicious. I also like the way you photographed them; I’ve seen so many straight-on, towering pancake stacks that it’s really refreshing to see them from a different angle. Well done! 🙂

      1. Thanks, Nicole! That means a lot coming from you because your photos are outstanding. I was really just winging it, but I’m glad that I’ve accidentally managed to accomplish something worth mentioning. Thanks so much!

    2. MMM! I’m drooling over these, Sandra! Here in the South, we love our cornbread, and I can only imagine how wonderful those pancakes are! Oh, and butter pecan ice cream is a favorite of mine, so that syrup is one that I would pour over anything! 😀 Thanks for sharing the deliciousness!