Happiness Is…Recipe: Chocolate Pancakes with Cream Cheese and Strawberries

Ingredients

Pancakes
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 2 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Filling
• 8 oz. package cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup powdered sugar
Strawberry Topping
• Strawberries, diced

Instructions

Preparing the Pancakes
1. Add the butter to a large mixing bowl, and melt it in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
2. Remove it from the microwave, and add the egg and vanilla.
3. Slowly whisk in the buttermilk. In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. Add the flour mixture to the buttermilk mixture, and stir to combine.
5. Preheat the griddle to 375.
6. Using a small ladle, add about 1/4 cup of the pancake mixture to the griddle, one scoop at a time. I usually cook about 6 at a time on my griddle. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, until it starts to bubble a little, and then flip. Cook on that side for about 2-3 minutes, and then move from the griddle to a plate.
7. Continue until all of the mixture has been used. This recipe makes about 10 medium-sized pancakes.
Preparing the Cream Cheese Filling
8. Add the cream cheese and vanilla to a mixer and cream until fluffy.
9. Slowly add in the powdered sugar, and mix until thoroughly combined.
Putting It All Together
10. Once the pancakes are cooked, place them onto a cutting board. Using a cookie cutter, cut out the heart (if you want a theme) shapes.
11. Pipe the cream cheese filling around the outside of the pancake.
12. Put the strawberries in the center.
13. Enjoy!