Introduction
Forget standard stacked pancakes—it’s time to elevate breakfast into a whimsical culinary experience! Chocolate Pancake Spaghetti is a playful, decadent dish that takes the fluffy delight of cocoa pancakes and transforms them into elegant, thin “noodles.” Drenched in a rich chocolate ganache “sauce” and dusted with powdered sugar “parmesan,” this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults. It combines comfort food nostalgia with a touch of novelty, making it the perfect centerpiece for a special weekend brunch or a unique dessert.
Ingredients
- 150g (1 ¼ cups) All-Purpose Flour
- 30g (¼ cup) Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 50g (¼ cup) Granulated Sugar
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- ½ tsp Salt
- 350ml (1 ½ cups) Whole Milk
- 1 large Egg
- 30g (2 tbsp) Melted Unsalted Butter, plus extra for cooking
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- **For the Chocolate Ganache Sauce:**
- 180g (1 cup) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 120ml (½ cup) Heavy Cream
- **For Topping:**
- Powdered Sugar (for dusting)
Step-by-step Preparation
- **Prepare the Batter (5 minutes + 10 minutes rest):** In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. The batter should be thin, similar to crêpe batter. *Tip: Do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine. Allow the batter to rest for 10 minutes to let the gluten relax, resulting in more tender ‘noodles.’*
- **Cook the Pancake Crêpes (15-20 minutes):** Heat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium-low heat. Lightly grease the pan with butter. Pour 60ml (¼ cup) of batter into the pan and immediately swirl to coat the bottom thinly and evenly. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the edges look set and small bubbles appear. Flip and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute on the other side. Transfer the thin pancake (crêpe) to a plate. Repeat until all the batter is used, stacking the cooked crêpes.
- **Create the Spaghetti Noodles (5 minutes):** Once the pancakes are slightly cooled, stack them neatly. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the stack into thin strips, approximately 5mm (¼ inch) wide. Gently separate the strips to create piles of ‘spaghetti.’
- **Make the Ganache Sauce (5 minutes):** Place the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream until it just begins to simmer (do not boil). Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips. Let stand for 2 minutes, then stir until completely smooth, glossy, and thick. *Tip: If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk until desired consistency is reached.*
- **Assemble and Serve:** Divide the pancake spaghetti among serving bowls. Drizzle generously with the warm chocolate ganache sauce. Finish with a heavy dusting of powdered sugar (the ‘parmesan cheese’). Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
Due to the rich chocolate ganache and sugar content, this dish is best enjoyed as an occasional treat. A single serving (approximately one quarter of the total recipe) contains an estimated 550-650 calories, 10g of protein, and significant healthy fats from the whole milk and butter. It provides a quick energy boost and is a wonderful source of dietary fiber from the cocoa.
Storage
Leftover pancake spaghetti and ganache should be stored separately in airtight containers. The pancake noodles will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The ganache sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. To reheat the noodles, spread them out on a baking sheet and warm them in an oven at 180°C (350°F) for 5 minutes, or microwave briefly until soft. Reheat the ganache gently on the stovetop or microwave until pourable.
Conclusion
Chocolate Pancake Spaghetti is a dish designed to delight and surprise. While the rich ganache is the classic pairing, feel free to experiment with variations, such as a raspberry coulis ‘marinara’ sauce or a peanut butter drizzle. For an extra luxurious touch, top the finished dish with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or fresh strawberries. Enjoy the process of turning a simple breakfast staple into a fun, noodle-shaped masterpiece!