Heart-Shaped Pancakes For Valentine's Day - BLW
Table of Contents
I Heart Pancakes For Valentine’s Day
This Valentine's Day, I'm excited to make heart-shaped pancakes for my little one as part of our Baby-Led Weaning journey. The soft, fluffy pancakes will be the perfect size and texture for my baby to grasp and explore, while also introducing them to new shapes.
I'll use a simple and nutritious pancake recipe, perhaps adding a touch of pureed strawberry to give them a festive twist. As my baby eagerly reaches for the heart-shaped pancakes, I can't help but feel joy, knowing that I'm not only nourishing their tiny body, but also nurturing their sense of exploration and love for food.
This Valentine's Day breakfast will be a sweet and memorable start to our day, filled with love and delicious, wholesome goodness.
Can I Serve Pancakes To My Baby?
Absolutely! Pancakes can be a great option for baby-led weaning (BLW). When making pancakes for your baby, it's important to ensure they are soft and easy to chew, as well as low in added sugar and salt.
You can also experiment with different types of flour, like whole wheat or oat flour, to increase the nutritional value. You can also mix in fruits or veggies for added flavour and nutrients. Remember to cut the pancakes into easy-to-hold strips or small pieces to minimise the risk of choking.
Always closely supervise your baby during mealtime and consult with your health visitor if you have any concerns. Happy pancake flipping!
Easy Swaps To Make The Pancake Recipe Dairy Free
Making easy swaps to create a dairy-free version of this pancake recipe is a simple and delicious way to accommodate dietary preferences or restrictions. Instead of using regular cow's milk, opt for a plant-based alternative such as almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
These dairy-free options not only provide a creamy texture but also impart a subtle flavour that compliments the pancakes beautifully. Additionally, replacing butter with a dairy-free spread or coconut oil will ensure that the pancakes turn out just as moist and flavourful.
With these effortless swaps, anyone can enjoy a stack of fluffy, dairy-free pancakes without compromising on taste or texture.
Easily Customisable Recipe
If you wanted to take one or two elements from this recipe go for it, you don’t have to serve all 3 elements together.
If you don’t have the heart shape cutters you can use circular cutters or use any other fun ones that you already have!
Or you don’t have to use cutters at all! It really is your choice! If you have any leftover pancake mix, get your silicone ice cube tray out and freeze the batter for next time! Perfect!
Get creative and have fun, I have done so for this Valentine’s bento box and I love it!
Ingredient information
Unsalted butter - I used unsalted butter as I like the flavour of butter with pancakes. I use unsalted as it is best no to use salt within cooking until your little one is 12 months.
Self raising flour - I like to use self raising flour for this fun breakfast as they give the cute pancakes a light texture compared to plain flour.
Free range egg - I like to use free range eggs within cooking with a lion stamp for my son.
Baking butter - You can use unsalted butter at room temperature here so it’s nice and soft, I used baking butter as I like to use this in my baking.
Whole milk - You can use your milk of choice, I use whole milk as this is what my son has at the moment.
Strawberries - I love strawberries and so does my son, so it seemed perfect to use for the Valentine’s theme for a fun Valentine's day breakfast.
Cherries - I don’t usually have cherries as they are expensive, but I found some that were reasonably priced, you can of course use frozen cherries too. A fun way to use what you have in the freezer.
Natural Greek yogurt - Yogurt goes so nicely with homemade pancakes, and with nutritional value I wanted to add to this bento box. It’s great for dipping too, its a great way for your little ones to get messy this Valentines day!
Serving suggestion
If you didn’t have a bento box you can of course serve the pancakes yogurt and fruit on a plate or in a bowl for your little one. You can use different fruit, I have kept to strawberries and cherries to keep to the red theme for the strawberry heart Valentine pancakes.
Why not try four other Valentine’s themed recipes cherry heart tarts, frozen yogurt hearts, yogurt bark or a 2 ingredient strawberry dessert.
Storage Instructions
The pancakes can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, if stored in an airtight container.
If you wanted to freeze the cooked pancakes, you will need to get yourself a freezer bag or an airtight container. Make sure that which ever you choose are labelled with the item and the date. I use masking tape to label the airtight container. The cooked pancakes will store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To defrost the cooked pancakes, leave in the fridge overnight to defrost and make sure it is fully defrosted, before serving.
Once the cooked pancakes have been defrosted you will not be able to re freeze.
If you wanted to freeze the raw pancake batter, opt for storing in an ice cube tray. This can be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Equipment Used To Help With This Recipe
Heart cookie cutters - I am always on the lookout for different shaped food cutters for my baby led weaning recipes - they make meal and snack times fun for the little ones. These cutters easily cut through cookie dough and are easy to clean.
Frying pan - I love the non-stick surface of this particular frying pan and it’s suitable for all types of hob.
Mixing bowl - Definitely choose a stainless steel one - they are lighter than the stone or glass ones and very easy to clean.
Airtight container - I much prefer the click-shut lids on these containers compared to others. They are also dishwasher and freezer safe and BPA free, so very suitable for food use.
Recipe | Heart-Shaped Pancakes For Valentine’s Day - BLW
Makes 1 breakfast
Strawberry pancakes
1 tablespoon, unsalted butter
90g self raising flour, sifted
1 free range egg
1 tablespoon baking butter
150ml whole milk
50g strawberries, 3 strawberries blended
1 strawberry
Strawberry mix
2 fresh strawberries, chopped
2 cherries, chopped
Strawberry yogurt
1 strawberry, blended
3 tablespoons natural Greek style yogurt
Instructions
Add the sifted flour to a large bowl, and then add the milk, baking butter, flour and the blended strawberries and mix.
Heat a frying pan on a medium-high heat, add the unsalted melted butter to the pan, and add 2 tablespoons of the pancake mixture. Turn the heat down slightly, and cook for 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown. And set aside using kitchen tongs when cooked. Add a little butter to the pan each time.
Add the chopped strawberries and cherries to the bento box. I use a silicone cup for these but you don’t have to.
Place the yogurt and strawberry purée into a bowl and mix, and add to the bento box. Use a small spoonful of any leftover purée to add to the yogurt as a garnish.
Take your cooked pancakes, and use your heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the pancake. Take the smaller cutter and cut into the heart shaped pancake.
Take the last whole strawberry and slice, use the small cutter to cut a strawberry heart, and place inside the pancake. Add to the bento box.
Finally add the small cut pancake heart to the bento box, alongside the heart-shaped pancakes!
Hope you and your family enjoy the fluffy pancakes!
Recipe notes
This recipe works well with raspberries too, and you can use your favourite fruits for the fruit mix if you prefer. I just like to keep the them red here! If you wanted to take elements of this recipe for example the yogurt and fruit and use your a dairy free yogurt to make this recipe dairy and gluten free you can!
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