This Christmas morning pancake mix brings that warm, slow-morning magic straight to the kitchen. This easy make-ahead mix keeps your Christmas morning peaceful and makes a sweet little handmade gift for neighbours, teachers, or anyone who loves a cozy breakfast.
You can also gift it with a jar of homemade hot chocolate mix or some homemade marshmallows.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It turns Christmas morning into a slow, magical moment. Instead of rushing around measuring flour and sugar, you simply scoop from your jar, whisk, and cook. It gives you back those quiet minutes to sit by the tree, sip coffee, and enjoy the morning with your family.
- It’s made with simple pantry ingredients you already trust. Nothing fancy or complicated, just real, everyday staples that come together to make pancakes worthy of a holiday breakfast.
- It’s the perfect handmade gift that feels thoughtful but not time-consuming. A pretty jar, a handwritten tag, and this mix instantly become a heartfelt present for teachers, neighbours, coworkers, or anyone who loves cozy kitchen gifts.
- It creates consistently fluffy, golden pancakes every single time. The dry mix is balanced so you never have to guess, just add the wet ingredients and your pancakes turn out soft, tender, and so good.
- It’s ideal for busy winter mornings. Whether you’re heading out to chores, driving to holiday events, or just craving something warm and comforting, having a ready-to-use mix makes breakfast stress-free.
- It feels nostalgic and homemade. The taste is old-fashioned in the best way, simple ingredients, soft texture, and that hint of vanilla that feels like home.
- It’s budget-friendly and stretches far. A single jar gives you several batches, making it perfect for feeding a hungry family or hosting holiday guests without stretching your grocery budget.
Ingredients
Variations & Add-Ins
- Cinnamon pancake mix: Add 1–2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon to the jar.
- White chocolate chip pancakes: Stir a handful of chips into the batter.
- Gingerbread version: Add ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to make it festive.
- Berry pancakes: Fold fresh or frozen berries into the batter like strawberries, blueberrries or even rhubarb to make homemade rhubarb pancakes.
- Egg-free: Replace the egg with ¼ cup applesauce.
Recipe Tips
Whisk the dry ingredients really well: Milk powder and baking powder can clump, so whisking thoroughly ensures every scoop from the jar gives you evenly fluffy pancakes. It also keeps the mix looking soft and powdery, which is great for gifting.
Shake the jar before each use: Over time, the heavier ingredients settle to the bottom. A quick shake blends everything again so your pancakes rise properly.
Keep the batter thick for the fluffiest pancakes: Think “thick paint”, this gives tall, cozy pancakes with a soft interior. Only add extra water if you prefer a thinner, diner-style pancake.
Let the batter rest 2–3 minutes: This gives the baking powder time to activate and helps the flour hydrate. You’ll get smoother texture and better rise.
Use medium heat, not high: High heat browns the outside too quickly and leaves the inside undercooked. Medium heat gives you even cooking and that perfect golden colour.
Grease the pan lightly: Too much butter or oil causes the pancakes to sizzle and crisp on the edges. A thin swipe with a paper towel gives you soft, pillowy pancakes.
Use the same scoop for each pancake: Two tablespoons of batter is the sweet spot for cute, uniform pancakes, perfect for stacking, gifting, or freezing.
Flip only once: Flip when the bubbles appear and the edges look set. Over-flipping deflates the pancakes.
Store the jar in a cool, dry place: Moisture will cause the mix to clump and reduce shelf life. A pantry or cupboard away from the stove is perfect.
Add holiday spices for extra coziness: Cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a pinch of ginger can turn this mix into a festive breakfast treat.
Double or triple the mix for bulk gifting: This recipe scales beautifully. Make a large bowl of mix, whisk well, then fill multiple jars at once.
Pair the jar with a “how to make” tag: Including the quick recipe instructions helps the recipient use it right away, and makes your gift feel complete and thoughtful.
Instructions
- Combine all dry ingredients: Add flour, sugar, baking powder, milk powder, and salt into a large bowl and whisk well until everything looks even and soft.
- Store in a jar: Pour into a 1½-liter glass jar or any airtight container. Keep sealed until you’re ready to use or gift.
- Mix the batter: Add 2 cups of the dry mix to a bowl. Add the water, egg, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. The batter should be thick like paint, add extra water if you prefer thinner pancakes.
- Heat the pan: Warm a cast iron skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with butter or oil.
- Cook the pancakes: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of batter per pancake into the pan. Cook until bubbles appear on the surface, flip, and cook 1–2 more minutes until done.
- Serve warm: Add maple syrup, fruit, powdered sugar, or whatever toppings make it feel like Christmas morning.
Storage
- Keep the mix in an airtight jar: A glass jar with a tight seal keeps moisture out and helps the mix stay fresh for months. It also looks beautiful on a pantry shelf or gifted with a ribbon.
- Store in a cool, dry cupboard: Keep the jar away from heat, sunlight, or humidity. A pantry, kitchen cabinet, or open farmhouse shelf is perfect.
- Label the jar with the date: Homemade mixes stay fresh for 3–4 months, so adding a date helps you keep track, especially if you’re making a big batch for gifting.
- Shake before each use: Dry ingredients naturally settle. Giving the jar a quick shake redistributes the baking powder and milk powder for even, fluffy pancakes.
- Avoid storing near the stove or dishwasher: These areas get warm and humid, which can cause the mix to clump or lose its rise.
- If gifting, include shelf-life instructions: Add a small note or tag saying “Store in a cool, dry place. Use within 3–4 months.” It makes your gift feel complete and helpful.
How to Gift Christmas Morning Pancake Mix
- Fill a large mason jar: Scoop the pancake mix into a clean, dry 1–1½ litre mason jar. The mix settles beautifully and looks charming layered in glass.
- Add a piece of fabric under or over the lid: Cut a small square of festive cotton or farmhouse-style gingham. Place it over the mouth of the jar, then screw the lid ring on top. It adds instant charm and makes the gift feel handmade.
- Tie with ribbon or twine: A simple ribbon, jute twine, or red-and-white baker’s string gives it that classic Christmas kitchen feel.
- Attach a gift tag: Include a tag with the name of the mix and the instructions for making a batch. (Your printable tag will be perfect here!) This helps the recipient use it right away without needing to look anything up.
- Add a little extra touch: Slip in a cinnamon stick, a sprig of cedar, or a candy cane for a cozy holiday finish.
- Pair with a small gift: If you want to make it a full breakfast gift set, bundle it with a mini bottle of maple syrup, a wooden spoon, or a tea towel.
Printable Gift Tag
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Similar Recipes
Christmas Morning Pancake Mix
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Skillet or nonstick pan
- Airtight jar
Ingredients
Dry Mix Ingredients
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 8 tbsp granulated sugar
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 10 tbsp whole milk powder
- 2 tsp salt
Ingredients to Make a Batch
- 2 cups dry mix
- 1 cup water
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the dry mix: Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, milk powder, and salt together until the mixture looks even and light. Pour into a 1½-liter jar or airtight container. Keep on your shelf or gift!
- Make a batch: In a bowl, combine 2 cups of dry mix with water, egg, and vanilla. Whisk until the batter is smooth and thick like paint. Add a splash more water if you prefer thinner pancakes.
- Cook the pancakes: Heat a lightly greased nonstick skillet over medium heat. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of batter per pancake into the pan. Cook until bubbles appear on the surface, flip, and cook 1–2 minutes longer until golden.
- Serve: Enjoy warm with maple syrup, butter, fresh berries, or your favourite toppings.
Notes
- Thick batter makes fluffier pancakes.
- Shake the jar before scooping to redistribute ingredients.
- Add cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry mix for a festive twist.
- The dry mix lasts 3–4 months when stored in an airtight jar in a cool, dry place.
