These Valentine's Day Pancakes are easy-to-make gluten-free heart-shaped pancakes, perfect for showing that special someone some extra love! Healthy and vegan chocolate raspberry pancakes make a delicious breakfast-in-bed surprise for kids and adults! Cute and naturally sweet, bursting with real raspberries and cocoa powder, this recipe can be made any day of the year!
There's only one breakfast idea fit for Valentine's Day and it must include pancakes, chocolate, and hearts. That's why these heart-shaped Valentine's Day pancakes are the only recipe you should think about making this year! Healthy gluten-free chocolate pancakes filled with real raspberries and cooked using a heart-shaped pancake mold! These festive heart pancakes will be loved by anyone you make them for; kids, adults, or even just for yourself!
Why You'll Love This Valentine's Day Breakfast Recipe
While you can make these heart pancakes any day of the year, they're ideal for Valentine's Day! This simple homemade recipe is allergy-free and safe for everyone to indulge in! These chocolate pancakes are:
- Gluten-Free
- Vegan
- Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Corn-Free, Coconut-Free)
- Sugar-Free or Low-Sugar
- Quick, Easy, Simple Ingredients
- Kid-Friendly
- Make-Ahead & Freezer-Friendly
- Perfect Valentine's Day Breakfast or Brunch Idea
Ingredients You'll Need
- Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: Use your favorite all-purpose gluten-free flour as the base of your pancake batter.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: These healthy chocolate raspberry pancakes are made with real cocoa powder for an intense and rich chocolate taste without the added sugar or fats.
- Baking Powder: Extra baking powder is the key to extra fluffy pancakes!
- Applesauce: Just ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce will work as your eggless binder for these vegan pancakes and provide natural sweetness!
- Non-Dairy Milk or Water: You can use whatever non-dairy milk you have in the fridge or just use water for this recipe.
- Raspberry Extract: Not only does this recipe include real raspberries, but it also includes raspberry extract for an even greater flavor!
- Raspberries: You can use fresh raspberries or, depending on the season and store availability, you can use frozen! Frozen raspberries are actually easier to use and are typically crushed up and smaller, making them perfect for these heart pancakes!
Ingredient Substitutions & Topping Ideas
- The original recipe published in 2014 called for Ener-G egg replacer. You can use the equivalent of 1 egg for this recipe if you choose, instead of applesauce.
- If you want to add additional sweetener to your pancakes, you can add a tablespoon of granulated sugar-free sweetener or sugar.
- The original recipe used half all-purpose flour and half buckwheat flour. If you want to keep this nutritious whole-grain mix, swap ¼ cup of all-purpose flour for buckwheat flour.
- If you don't have raspberry extract, just use vanilla extract!
- Add two to three tablespoons of mini or regular vegan chocolate chips to this recipe for even more chocolaty goodness!
- Top your pancakes with pure maple syrup or use some chocolate syrup or sugar-free chocolate stevia syrup!
- Some coconut whipped cream or vegan fluff is also a great topping idea for these Valentine's Day pancakes!
How To Make Heart-Shaped Valentine's Day Pancakes
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and optional sweetener until combined.
- Add in the applesauce, raspberry or vanilla extract, and non-dairy milk. Mix everything together until just combined, careful not to overmix the batter.
- Gently fold in the raspberries and allow the batter to rest while you heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Grease your heart-shaped pancake molds using non-stick spray or a paper towel dabbed with oil.
- Place the mold in the center of the hot skillet before adding about 3 tablespoons of the batter to the mold.
- Once bubbles form on the top of the batter, after about 2 minutes, gently lift the mold off, (use a butter knife to help if needed), before flipping the heart pancake over with a spatula.
- Cook the pancake for an additional 2 minutes before removing and repeating the process with the rest of the batter.
Can You Make Heart Pancakes Without A Mold?
If you don't have a heart-shaped mold (buy one here), you can also use a squeeze bottle. Your heart shape will be less precise, but will still work in a pinch! Fill the squeeze bottle with the pancake batter and draw a heart outline on the hot skillet before filling it in with more batter. Cook the batter the exact same way as you would if using a mold.
Storage Instructions
- Make-Ahead: To make these Valentine's Day pancakes ahead of time, mix together the batter and cook the pancakes as instructed. Allow the pancakes to cool on a wire rack before storing them in a container or plastic bag in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Leftovers: If you make a big batch and have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container or plastic bag in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- To Freeze: To freeze the cooked pancakes, allow them to cool on a wire rack before wrapping them in wax paper and allowing them to freeze flat in a storage container or plastic storage bag in the freezer. Use within 4-6 months for best quality.
- To Reheat: Reheat leftover pancakes from the fridge in the microwave for 45-60 seconds. Wrap the pancakes in a damp paper towel to keep them soft and moist. If reheating frozen pancakes, you can use the microwave or ideally the toaster oven (or regular oven) at 350°F and allow the pancakes to evenly warm and the edges and steam on the inside.
More Valentine's Day Recipes:
- Valentine's Day Heart Cookies
- Red Velvet Cupcakes
- Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Skewers
- Chocolate Chip Raspberry Granola
- Double Chocolate Chunk Brownie Cookies
Valentine's Day Pancakes
These Valentine's Day Pancakes are easy-to-make gluten-free heart-shaped pancakes, perfect for showing that special someone some extra love! Healthy and vegan chocolate raspberry pancakes make a delicious breakfast-in-bed surprise for kids and adults! Cute and naturally sweet, bursting with real raspberries and cocoa powder, this recipe can be made any day of the year!
- Prep Time: 4 Minutes
- Cook Time: 6 Minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 Servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stove-Top
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- ½ Cup + 2 TB All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour
- 2 TB Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 Tsp Baking Powder
- ¼ Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- ½ Tsp Raspberry Extract
- ⅔ Cup Unsweetened Plain Non-Dairy Milk
- 6 TB of Frozen or Fresh Raspberries (plus more for topping)
- Heart-Shaped Pancake Molds
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and optional sweetener until combined.
- Add in the applesauce, raspberry extract, and non-dairy milk. Mix everything together until just combined, careful not to overmix the batter (it should still be slightly lumpy).
- Gently fold in the raspberries and allow the batter to rest while you heat a greased non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Grease your heart-shaped pancake molds using non-stick spray or a paper towel dabbed with oil.
- Place the mold in the center of the hot skillet before adding about 3 tablespoons of the batter to the mold.
- Once bubbles form on the top of the batter and the edges seem dry, about 2 minutes, gently lift the mold off before flipping the heart pancake over with a spatula.
- Cook the pancake for an additional 2 minutes before removing it from the pan and repeating the process with the rest of the batter.
- Before serving, top your pancakes with more raspberries and chocolate stevia syrup if desired!
Notes
- Keep your finished pancakes warm while you finish cooking the rest of the batter, preheat the oven to 200°F and keep the pancakes warm in the oven on a baking sheet.
- Make-Ahead: Mix together the batter and cook the pancakes as instructed. Allow the pancakes to cool on a wire rack before storing them in a container or plastic bag in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Leftovers: If you make a big batch and have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container or plastic bag in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- To Freeze: To freeze the cooked pancakes, allow them to cool on a wire rack before wrapping them in wax paper and allowing them to freeze flat in a storage container or plastic storage bag in the freezer. Use within 4-6 months for best quality.
- To Reheat: Reheat leftover pancakes from the fridge in the microwave for 45-60 seconds. Wrap the pancakes in a damp paper towel to keep them soft and moist. If reheating frozen pancakes, you can use the microwave or ideally the toaster oven (or regular oven) at 350°F and allow the pancakes to evenly warm and the edges and steam on the inside.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 Pancakes
Perfect for breakfast in bed or a kid-friendly before-school breakfast treat! Everyone in the family will love these love-filled Valentine's heart pancakes.
So tell me:
+ Are you making a special Valentine's Day breakfast this year?
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Erin
What a cute & healthy Valentine's treat!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Deborah Davis
How cute are these! I would love to pamper my honey with these yummy and pretty Chocolate Raspberry Heartcakes!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
He would love it!
Nikki
Not a Valentine's Day lover or hater. I'm pretty ambivalent about it actually. But if I had some of these chocolate raspberry heart cakes I know I'd be all in on Valentine's Day! These look so delicious pinning so that we can have them soon!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, it will turn anyone into a die-hard fan!
Cristina @ I Say Nomato
I swear your gluten free recipes are magic! They always look so incredible - gluten-free has come a lonnnnng way. These are adorable!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you Cristina!
Sherry Nappa
Chocolate and raspberries - two of my favorite ingredients! These heartcakes look so delish.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Cathy Lawdanski
Chocolate heart shaped pancakes. What could be better? Those look so good.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Not sure much can!
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition
I love your heart cake recipes!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Edye
These look so yummy! I love that they're vegan 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Charlene Asay
Yum, these look super yummy.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Debbie
Chocolate and raspberry is such an excellent combination. These look delicious.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It sure is!
Mother of 3
Looks so yummy! I love the combo of chocolate and raspberry! Pinned.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Laura
Chocolate and raspberry is always a winning combo and these are so cute! I have a heart shaped waffle maker and I love making stuff in it just for the shape:)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Now THAT would be a fun waffle!
Sarah Zerbe
These look delicious I must try them ASAP
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you do!
Farrah
I reallyyy need to go back and revamp my old recipes!
In other news, these look amazing + I love chocolate and raspberry together. Pancake date!?!?!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Literally, when the new photos are up and the recipe is updated...it feels SO good!
Stop by my house and I will prepare a pancake FEAST 😉
Farrah
hahaha, let me know when you're free! 😀 A meetup would be awesome-sauce!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I am always free 😉 But when are you, busy bee, free? That is the question!
Francesca - From Pennies to Pounds
This looks delicious! Even better that it's gluten free too. I will definitely be making this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Enjoy them!
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog
Love the hearts, what a great Valentine's Day breakfast!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right? Love those molds!
eat good 4 life
These are healthy, right up my alley. I wish I could have a couple right about now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thanks friend 🙂
Christie
We recently made heart shaped pancakes. So easy and cute. I love your chocolate and raspberry combination though. That would be my favorite
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Heart pancakes are the best! Haha!
Deborah Smikle-Davis
Hi Rebecca,
Healthy, vegan, heart-shaped pancakes! Pure joy!
Thank you so much for sharing this helpful and delicious recipe on the Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Blog Hop! I appreciate it!
All the best, Deborah
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Deb!
Suzanne Burke (@suzanneburke_)
Gluten free deliciousness! I'm sure you didn't have any trouble finding a Valentine with those as your offering! 🙂 Thanks for sharing! #SITSBlogging (I'm a day late leaving a comment! Have a great weekend!)
Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much Suzanne! My Valentine was...myself, haha! More for me right 😛
Marla
What a neat idea to make valentine pancakes and I love you healthy recipe. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Friday. Have a wonderful healthy day!
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Marla!
Baked Chicago (@bakedchicago)
Raspberry and chocolate is one of my all-time favorite flavor combinations. #SITSBlogging
Strength and Sunshine
Well these heartcakes look like a match made in heaven for you!
Davida @The Healthy Maven
Thanks for linking up to the bake-off!!! If I wasn't babysitting my niece and nephew this morning I'd definitely be making these! Unfortunately my nephew only eats cheerios and my niece has no teeth hehe. But I hope you have a fab vday! What better way to spread the love than with pancakes!
Strength and Sunshine
Haha well you can just feed them some mashed up raspberries instead....or maybe next year 😉 Pancakes are a labor of love! Have a beautiful day Davida and thank you for the lovely recipe share 🙂 XOXO
Britni Newton Vigil
Those look fantastic! Thanks for sharing on the weekend re-Treat link party.
Britni @ Play. Party. Pin.
Strength and Sunshine
Thank you 🙂
kristenk
These look so yummy! I don't have a heart shaped mold so I always make my batter thick and then try to pour them in a heart-ish shape. They actually turn out pretty good! I love that these are chocolate so I might use this recipe next time!
Strength and Sunshine
What ever works right! I saw these adorable teddy bear molds and other fun shapes by the same company that I so need to snag! Haha teddy bears would be the bomb! Definitely need a mold for them though 😉
lovenataliemarie
Pancakes are the perfect treat for Valentines Day. 🙂
I love Valentines day; it makes me all happy to see how lovey dovey everything is. I do however agree that you should treat your partner not just on one day. It's more meaningful. <3
Strength and Sunshine
Yup, definitely agree with you there! Love them all the time not just some of the time 😉
Presley
Well you win for most adorable Valentine’s Day pancakes. Hands down.
Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you Presley! It's all thanks to the molds 😉
Kristy @ Southern In Law
Yum!! I'm not a V-Day hater but we don't really celebrate Valentines Day. If we do, we'll do something before or after valentines day to avoid the crazy crowds and inflated prices 😛
Strength and Sunshine
That's a great idea! I still think the best thing is to just spend a relaxing night at home with your loved one!
Heather @ The Soulful Spoon
Cute recipe Rebecca!:) Thanks for sharing<3<3<3
Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thanks Heather 🙂
popcosmo
This looks great and love that they are gluten free! And simple to make special with the heart molds. Thanks for the idea!!! (stopping by early from SITS since I'll be traveling Friday!)
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks for stopping by 🙂 I'm glad your got some inspiration from them 🙂
GiGi Eats Celebrities
I would love to be your VALENTINE - especially if you're feeding me those! 😉
Strength and Sunshine
Haha awesome! Come to the Pancake party I mentioned below 😉
eatgreatbegreat
A perfectly fitting meal for the season! I love the hearts, and of course, I love the recipe! Chocolate and raspberry is one of my favorite combos. So tasty!
Strength and Sunshine
The heart shape makes them so fun!
kelsnsher
Oh yummy, I’ll be your valentine if there will be more of these lol I am the worst at Vday, I like it but I’ve never wanted the big gesture…actually that prob makes me pretty awesome lol j/k
Strength and Sunshine
Haha I love making pancakes so I'll make them for you anytime! Pancake V-Day party! 😉
GiGi Eats Celebrities
TOTALLY CRASHING this PAR-TAY!
Fit Radiance
Yum! Great idea with the heart molds 🙂 I'm not hugely into valentines day, but do love any excuse to cook a nice meal and get a box of chocolates! Haha 😛
Fit Radiance
Yum! Such a cute idea with the moulds 🙂 I've never been hugely into Valentines Day, but do enjoy any excuse to cook a nice meal and get a box of chocolates! Haha 😛
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks girl! Haha, that is a plus 😉