Apple Butter Pancakes (Fall Brunch Win!) 🥞🍏

The Ultimate Fall Brunch: Apple Butter Pancakes You’ll Crave All Season Long

Nothing says “cozy autumn morning” quite like a stack of warm, fluffy Apple Butter Pancakes. With the rich, spiced depth of homemade apple butter swirled into every bite, these pancakes are a fall brunch dream come true. Whether you’re sipping cider at the table or hosting a weekend gathering, this easy homemade recipe brings all the comforting flavors of the season straight to your plate.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to make the best apple butter pancakes from scratch—perfectly golden on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with apple cinnamon goodness. 🍎✨

🥞 Why You’ll Love These Apple Butter Pancakes

• Easy & Quick: Ready in under 30 minutes!

• Fall Flavor Explosion: Made with real apple butter and fall spices.

• Fluffy & Moist: Perfect texture without being too dense.

• Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike devour these.

• Versatile: Great with maple syrup, cinnamon butter, or even whipped cream.

📋 Ingredients for Apple Butter Pancakes

🧂 Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tbsp brown sugar

• 2 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

• ¼ tsp salt

🥛 Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup buttermilk (or whole milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)

• ½ cup apple butter (homemade or store-bought)

• 1 large egg

• 2 tbsp melted butter (plus more for greasing the skillet)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

🍁 Optional Toppings:

• Warm apple butter

• Maple syrup

• Chopped pecans or walnuts

• Whipped cream

• Caramel drizzle

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Batter

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

2. In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, apple butter, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.

3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently mix until just combined. Do not overmix—lumps are okay! Let the batter sit for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

Step 2: Cook the Pancakes

1. Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and brush with a bit of butter.

2. Pour ¼ cup of batter per pancake onto the skillet.

3. Cook for 2–3 minutes, or until bubbles form on the surface. Flip and cook for another 1–2 minutes until golden brown.

4. Transfer cooked pancakes to a warm oven (200°F/90°C) while you finish the batch.

Step 3: Serve and Savor

Stack your pancakes high and top them with extra apple butter, maple syrup, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or even a dollop of whipped cream. Fall brunch perfection!

🔥 Pro Tips for Perfect Apple Butter Pancakes

• Use thick apple butter. If your apple butter is too runny, your batter will be thin and pancakes won’t rise well.

• Don’t skip the resting time. Letting the batter rest helps it thicken and creates fluffier pancakes.

• Keep your skillet at medium heat. Too hot and they’ll burn outside while staying raw inside.

• Test with one pancake first. Adjust heat or batter consistency if needed.

❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overmixing the batter: This can make your pancakes dense and chewy.

• Pouring batter on a cold skillet: It’ll spread too much and cook unevenly.

• Flipping too early: Wait for bubbles to pop and edges to set before flipping.

• Skipping the baking soda or buttermilk: These ingredients react to create that fluffy rise—don’t leave them out!

🧠 Nutritional Value (Per Serving – 2 Pancakes)

Note: Nutrition may vary slightly depending on your apple butter and toppings used.

🍽️ Tips & Variations

✅ Substitutions:

• Dairy-free: Use almond or oat milk + vegan butter.

• Gluten-free: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

• No apple butter? Substitute with applesauce and a pinch of cloves + extra cinnamon.

🍎 Flavor Twists:

• Add finely diced apples or sautéed apples to the batter.

• Swirl caramel sauce directly into the batter for caramel apple butter pancakes.

• Sprinkle chopped toasted pecans into the batter for extra crunch.

🧇 Want a Waffle Version?

Use this exact batter in a preheated waffle maker and cook according to your waffle iron instructions. It’s just as good—maybe even better!

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage:

• Fridge: Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

• Freezer: Freeze in layers with parchment paper in between for up to 2 months.

Reheating:

• Microwave: 20–30 seconds per pancake.

• Toaster: For crispy edges, toast frozen pancakes directly.

• Oven: Reheat a batch at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes.

❓ FAQs – Apple Butter Pancakes

1. What is apple butter?

Apple butter is a slow-cooked, deeply spiced spread made from apples. It has a thick, smooth texture and intense apple-cinnamon flavor—perfect for fall recipes.

2. Can I make these pancakes ahead of time?

Absolutely! They freeze beautifully. Reheat in the toaster or microwave for a quick weekday breakfast.

3. Is it okay to use store-bought apple butter?

Yes! While homemade apple butter adds a richer flavor, high-quality store-bought versions work just fine.

4. Can I double this recipe?

Definitely. This recipe doubles or even triples well—just use a larger bowl and a griddle to cook more pancakes at once.

📣 Final Thoughts & Call to Action

These Apple Butter Pancakes are the ultimate way to kick off a crisp fall morning. They’re soft, spiced, and full of nostalgic autumn flavor. Whether you’re feeding your family or planning a cozy brunch with friends, this recipe is guaranteed to be a seasonal favorite.

👉 If you loved this recipe, don’t forget to save it to your fall brunch Pinterest board, share it with a fellow pancake lover, or print it out for your recipe box! 🍁🥞