there are lots of songs about not giving up. "i won't give up." "don't give up on us." "never give up." and i think they're alllllllll applicable here. these double coconut pancakes with pineapple orange salad took 5 tries.
maybe i was too cocky. they're just pancakes, and i've made pancakes before! i wasn't a huge fan of the first recipe i tried, so i pivoted to my standby, alton brown's pancake recipe. when i tried coconut-ifying and pineapple-ing those pancakes, they were gummy and mushy. no matter how long and slow i cooked them, or how many times i tried to cauterize the pineapple craters. argh.
maybe i tried to infuse too much coconut in. i experimented using coconut milk in the batter: both trader joe's funky light version, and an asian brand of the delectably full fat kind. neither coconut milk added much flavor, and the pancakes seemed softer and not as fluffy as the non-coconut milk ones. i also tried subbing coconut oil in for the butter, which was another no go.
but they're finally where i want them to be. i gave up on the actual pancakes being pineapple and coconut heavy, and added coconut in the form of toasted coconut flake and coconut syrup garnishes. the pineapple came in with a quick pineapple, orange and lime "salad," though plain pineapple would be equally tasty if you're short on time or citrus. they're fluffy and tender, but not wet. the toasted coconut adds crunch, and the sweet coconut milk soaks into the pancakes as deliciously as maple syrup sinking into normal pancakes. and not to forget all that sweet-tart pineapple on top, with citrusy bits from the orange and lime.
1 year ago: Almond-Crisped Peaches
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅙ tablespoon kosher salt
- ½ tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 egg room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
- ¼ cup coconut milk
- powdered sugar as desired
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes toasted
- ½ cup diced pineapple frozen is fine, but make sure you defrost
- 1 medium orange supremed
- finely grated or julienned zest from ½ lime
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Combine the dry ingredients and sugar.
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Whisk the egg and butter together, then add to the buttermilk.
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Add the wet mix and coconut to the dry mix. Fold until just combined.
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Ladle onto a hot, lightly oiled (you can use coconut oil for even more coconut oomph) griddle (I like using a ¼ cup measure). When bubbles begin to set around the edges and the bottom is golden, flip. Cook until set.
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Combine the coconut milk with enough powdered sugar to make a syrup. I like mine on the not as sweet side, which makes the syrup thinner.
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Serve the pancakes warm with the coconut syrup, toasted coconut and pineapple orange salad.
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Combine the pineapple, orange and lime zest. Season with sugar and salt to taste.
Pancake recipe from Alton Brown.
You can definitely scale the recipe. I recommend this many if you're cooking for one person with limited self-control around pancakes, or if you want to feed 4 but don't want any leftovers, but my family will double it and keep them for breakfasts all week. Feel free to double the pineapple orange salad, too; I like a generous helping on my pancakes.
Would not recommend using coconut oil in place of the butter. It doesn't add any coconut flavor, and the texture was funky when I used it.
Would not recommend subbing in coconut milk for the buttermilk. I’ve found that 1) it doesn’t add that much coconut flavor, and 2) the texture of the pancakes seems wetter, which I don’t love.
pancakes, glorious pancakes
Juventia says
Glad that you didn't give up in the end! This looks so delicious and I love your beautiful plating. I haven't tried making pancakes with coconut yet but it's actually a great idea. I might have a trial this weekend. 🙂
Heather says
pancakes with coconut are so good!! there's something so tropical and zen-inducing about adding coconut :3
Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says
That must have been so frustrating! But worth it in the end!! Looks yummy. I love pancakes! And this is such a fun, fruity twist 🙂
Heather says
funny enough, it wasn't that frustrating. i definitely get frustrated when recipes don't turn out (especially if it's like a risotto i tried doing recently, when i spent an hour stirring a hot pot during the middle of a very hot day), but this one was more fun than not (:
Ruby says
Pancakes can be surprisingly tricky when you start to replace ingredients. But it sounds like you nailed it in the end, and they look lovely too! Love the tropical twist. Considering I make pancakes almost every Sunday, I've definitely gotta try these at some point! xx
Heather says
i think the key is to not replace ingredients, and just add toppings! because you're right, and trying to use coconut milk in the batter was a pain in the butt and trying to use it wasn't working out even when i tried to account for the different amount of fat and such.
Jenny | The Baking Skillet says
Omg, I am in the middle of testing a breakfast recipe as well that involves coconut and it is a pain in my butt! But I am not at 5 tries yet so thanks for the inspo! I am loving the addition of sweetened coconut milk as topping and that pineapple salad!!
Heather says
ahhh hope it turned out! maybe it's a sign that coconut just doesn't want to be in breakfast foods (;
Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess says
Never give up! I bet it tastes amazing with tropical blissfulness! 🙂 YUM!
Heather says
oh yes, the tropical bliss was well worth it once i stopped trying to make the pancakes more flavorful (;
Kankana says
I love that you didn't give up. Pancake sounds easy I know but sometime for a good texture, one has to get the proportion absolutely right. Yours looks amazing. I to can get quite stubborn at times with certain dishes 🙂
Heather says
yeah, i didn't realize pancakes were so finnicky until i was testing this recipe! sometimes i give up on the stubborn ones, but i'm glad i didn't on this one (:
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
Good for you for keeping at it! These pancakes sound delish so I'm so glad you found a recipe you were satisfied with. Have a great week, Heather!
Heather says
thanks kelsie!
Laura says
Love that you kept trying! These are gorgeous! Kind of sounds like a pina colada in a pancake! And the pineapple orange salad is lovely! I think I could eat a whole bowlful of that! Yum!
Heather says
definitely a pina colada influence! you could probably sprinkle some rum in the pineapple orange salad if you were so inclined (;
cakespy says
These look incredible. I have been craving bright and happy flavors lately and this really fits the bill (and is gorgeous)
Heather says
i get you! i want tart, bright flavors in the summer, so the sweet/tart pineapple and orange definitely fit that craving (:
Emma - Bake Then Eat says
They may have taken a while but it was definitely worth it, these pancakes look perfect. A bright and zesty way to start the day.
Heather says
it was worth it! definitely a bright way to start the day. and if i was greeted by these on a weekday morning, i could be marginally more inclined to roll out of bed on time (;
Mary says
I saw these on tasty pancakes on Instagram and had to come over and check them out. I haven’t made pancakes in a long time, loving the addition of shaved coconuts.
Heather says
thanks, mary! even if you use a different/healthier pancake recipe, the pineapple orange salad and toasted coconut and coconut syrup would still be awesome on those (:
Cara says
Girl you went through several tests to get this recipe right for us! They look so good and we are all so grateful for your efforts, way to have tenacity 🙂 All for the love of food and sharing with your tribe
Heather says
thanks, cara!
Alia | Everyday Easy Eats says
I love that your pancakes have coconut two ways in them! And that Pineapple Orange Salad is the icing on the [pan]cake! 😉 Fabulous tropical-flavored breakfast!!
Heather says
that pun!! i have to cheat a little (read: a lot) on my puns and need to consult with other people and/or the internet, and am so jealous of the people who can just pull them out of thin air.
Maria @ kitchenathoskins.com says
I'm a sucker for anything coconut. And, when you say double coconut, you know I'm in. Such a delicious pancake with so many amazing flavors!!!
Heather says
yes, all the coconut!!
Ashika | Gardening Foodie says
These pancakes look amazing 😍. This is really going to be a delicious change of my regular pancakes with golden syrup.
Absolutely loving the flavours 😃
Heather says
thanks! and it's so interesting to me that you use golden syrup on pancakes, when in the us, it's all maple syrup (though maybe that has to do with how hard it is to find golden syrup!).
Agness of Run Agness Run says
Yummy! This is my kind of salad recipe. Can't wait to prepare and taste it!
David @ Spiced says
Cheers to not giving up, Heather! I love that you kept going at these pancakes until they turned into something you're happy with. I get that. Sometimes recipes that seem like they should be easy turn into ones that are super annoying. But the work is worth it when you end up with a delicious dish like this one...love the tropical flavors going on here!
Heather says
oh yes! it looked deceptively easy, but ha. not even just 1 or 2 tweaks like it is normally. so worth it though!
GiGi Eats says
THose pancakes look STUNNING and drool worthy! I haven't made pancakes in awhile, but I need to change this ASAP!
Heather says
thanks, gigi! even if you go with a different pancake recipe, all the toppings would still be super tasty and give you the same vibe (:
Marie | Yay! For Food says
Hurray for not giving up! These pancakes look lovely! I love the tropical flavours in this recipe, especially all the coconut. I also have the same plate too! 🙂
Heather says
i definitely need new plates lol. my baking/cooking/props are already overflowing, so i find it hard to justify getting more!
Patrick@looneyforfood.com says
Way to stick to it! Looks like they turned out great!
Heather says
thanks, patrick!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
It gets so frustrating when a recipe isn't working out the way you intended - but that makes the final successful recipe that much sweeter!! I'm glad you persevered. These sound so delicious, and I'm grateful you did the hard work for us!
Heather says
ahh yes victory is sweet (especially when there's pancakes at the end!).
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
You were unwavering dedicated to making these pancakes turn out just right and it paid off. They look delicious! I love the coconut syrup...I would be dousing my pancakes with it!
Heather says
thanks, thao! the coconut syrup adds so much flavor that i completely get why you'd want to douse your pancakes with it (:
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
Who knew you could get frozen pineapple? I use coconut oil that has no flavour.
Heather says
oh yes! i love using frozen pineapple: no need to chop one up, plus it's available year round (: i get mine from trader joe's, but not sure where you would be able to find it in your part of the world! the flavor of coconut oil is nice here, but flavorless would definitely work, too.
Meg | Meg is Well says
Lol, I can't even make regular pancakes. I mess them up all the time and can never get them right so I am super impressed by your dedication!
Heather says
you should try alton brown's! (the base pancake recipe here is his). super fluffy, and pretty easy so long as you don't try to change it up like i was trying to do (;
Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes says
Pancakes are a regular breakfast in our house and I keep innovating my recipe! But I have never thought about serving them like this!! They sound so delicious!!
stephanie says
i love that you didn't give up! coconut pancakes sound so delicious – i love coconut as a flavor and the coconut syrup sounds wonderful 🙂
Claudia | The Brick Kitchen says
that is COMMITMENT. but they look incredible so worth it right?! love all the tropical vibes happening <3
Heather says
so worth it!!
The Ninja Baker says
Bravo for persevering and creating these beauties, Heather!
Heather says
thanks, kim!
Joyce says
Yay for persevering! (did I spell that right? that looks like I wrote preserving) Mmmm coconut syrup with toasty coconut bits - I don't normally do cake for breakfast but I think this might change my mind... Mmmmmm
Heather says
yes you spelled it right!! i mis-spelled flamingo the other day, and it turned into flaming. oops. pancakes aren't quite cake, so you can act like (pan)cakes for breakfast is healthy! (;
The-FoodTrotter says
Yout pancakes look so moist and fluffy! I need to take your recipe 🙂