There’s something magical about a plate of warm, fluffy pancakes in the morning – especially when they’re topped with colourful fruit and drizzled in a glossy, sweet sauce. Today, I want to chat with you about one of my favourite breakfast (and sometimes brunch or dessert!) indulgences: fruit pancakes. These beauties combine everything you’d ever want from a comfort dish – soft, melt-in-your-mouth pancakes paired with juicy fruit that adds freshness and balance, all crowned with a drizzle of silky brown sugar sauce that ties the whole plate together.
Pancakes have long been a staple in kitchens around the world, but there’s something particularly special about dressing them up with fruit. On their own, pancakes are fluffy and satisfying, but they’re also like a blank canvas just waiting to be decorated. When you add fruit, not only do you bring in natural sweetness and vibrant flavour, but you also add a splash of colour that makes the dish look as irresistible as it tastes. After all, we eat with our eyes first, don’t we and fruit pancakes are a an amazing sight?
In my version, the star fruits are strawberries, bananas, and grapes. The strawberries bring that juicy tang and a pop of red that feels so cheerful. Bananas offer a creamy, mellow sweetness that pairs beautifully with the soft pancakes. And grapes – often overlooked when it comes to pancake toppings – add bursts of freshness that cut through the richness of the sauce. But then comes the crown jewel: the brown sugar sauce. Made by gently melting brown sugar with butter and a splash of liquid until it turns into a luscious, caramel-like drizzle, this sauce adds a deep, toffee-like sweetness that complements the fruit perfectly. It’s indulgent without being cloying, especially when poured over the cool fruit sitting on warm pancakes.
Now, one of the best things about fruit pancakes is how adaptable they are. You can stick with the classic strawberry-banana combination or let your imagination run wild. Different fruits change the entire feel of the dish – tropical fruits give it a sunny holiday vibe, while berries add elegance and a tart note. It’s the kind of dish that you can adjust depending on the season, what’s in your fridge, or simply what you’re in the mood for.
Here’s a list of other fruits that go beautifully with pancakes:
- Blueberries – classic, slightly tart, and they pop with every bite.
- Raspberries – bright, tangy, and a lovely contrast to sweet sauce.
- Pineapple – for a tropical twist, especially good with coconut flakes.
- Peaches – juicy and fragrant, perfect in summer.
- Mango – sweet, smooth, and exotic, great with a hint of lime.
- Cherries – rich and indulgent, especially when in season.
- Kiwi – tangy, vibrant green, and a fun way to brighten the plate.
- Apples – lightly sautéed in butter and cinnamon, they bring a warming flavour.
- Pears – soft and delicate, pairing wonderfully with the brown sugar sauce.
Fruit pancakes are not only delicious but also a clever way of sneaking more fruit into your diet. Whether you’re making them for a leisurely Sunday breakfast, a special brunch with friends, or even as a fun dessert after dinner, they never fail to impress. They’re indulgent yet fresh, homely yet elegant, and always comforting.
The beauty of fruit pancakes is that you can make it as simple or as extravagant as you like. Sometimes, I pile the fruit high like a tower, drizzle the sauce generously, and dust with a little icing sugar for that café-style finish. Other times, I keep it minimal with just a few slices of fruit and a gentle trickle of sauce. Either way, it’s always delightful.
So, the next time you want to treat yourself, set aside a little time to whip up some fruit pancakes. Gather your favourite fruits, whisk up that glossy brown sugar sauce, and stack those fruit pancakes high. You’ll find it’s not just a breakfast – it’s a moment of delightful indulgence.
Fruit Pancakes
Ingredients
The Pancakes:
- 200 g plain flour
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 250 ml milk
- 1 large egg free range
- 2 tbsp melted butter plus extra for cooking
The Toppings:
- 150 g fresh strawberries sliced
- 2 medium bananas sliced
- 100 g grapes seedless halved
The Brown Sugar Sauce:
- 100 g brown sugar
- 50 g butter
- 60 ml double cream
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.200 g plain flour, 2 tbsp caster sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt
- In another bowl, whisk the milk, egg, and melted butter.250 ml milk, 1 large egg, 2 tbsp melted butter
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently until just combined (a few lumps are fine – don’t overmix).
- Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat and brush lightly with butter.
- Pour in a ladleful of batter and cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook the other side until golden. Repeat with the remaining batter, keeping pancakes warm.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together over medium heat, stirring until smooth.100 g brown sugar, 50 g butter, 60 ml double cream, ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Add the cream and vanilla extract, whisking until the sauce is silky and slightly thickened.
- Stack the pancakes on plates, scatter over the strawberries, bananas, and grapes, then drizzle generously with the brown sugar sauce.150 g fresh strawberries, 2 medium bananas, 100 g grapes
- Serve the fruit pancakes warm.
14 comments
Had these for brunch today and they were superbly superb.
Lovely flavour and texture. My only complaint is that the sauce was so good I needed to make double to keep everyone happy!
Delicious and really filling. I loved the combination of fruits, but I think I’ll try adding blueberries next time for a bit more tartness.
I don’t usually like sweet breakfasts, but this one won me over. The fruit balances out the sweetness, and the brown sugar sauce is amazing.
Really refreshing and tasty.
Bananas and pancakes are always a winner, but adding grapes was new to me – and it worked!
The sauce tastes like caramel, and the grapes were a surprisingly fresh addition.
The strawberries and bananas made it taste like dessert for breakfast.
The fruit keeps it from being too heavy, and the sauce is just indulgent enough without being sickly.
These pancakes are pure heaven! Soft, fluffy, and the brown sugar sauce takes it to another level.
Perfect weekend breakfast. My kids absolutely loved the sauce and licked their plates clean. We’ll definitely be making this again.
These pancakes remind me of something I’d order in a café, but homemade. They look so pretty stacked with fruit and the drizzle of sauce.
Great recipe, though I swapped the grapes for mango because that’s what I had. Still delicious.
I made these for brunch with friends, and they were a total hit.