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Normally, I’m all for pasta in its various forms…but I can’t get behind Buddy’s breakfast spaghetti in Elf. However, the recent pancake spaghetti and pancake cereal trends got me thinking: What if you used flapjack batter as the base instead?

stack of buddy the elf, squiggly pancakes with m&ms and chocolate syrup next to christmas tree mug
Photos: Candace Braun Davison

Using a resealable plastic bag with the corner snipped, I created squiggly pancakes that—when stacked up—look remarkably like spaghetti. Create a toppings bar for people to decorate their short stacks however they wish, and you’ve got a Buddy the Elf-worthy breakfast that’s perfect for a holiday party, Christmas morning or even a lazy Saturday that could use a little magic.

(Pro tip: Amp up the supernatural vibes with a drizzle of Runamok Sparkle Syrup, which is regular maple syrup swirled with pearlescent mica.)

Buddy Breakfast Pancakes Toppings Ideas:

  • Chocolate sauce
  • Sparkle syrup
  • Sprinkles
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Raspberries
  • Blueberries
  • Strawberries
  • Chopped bananas
  • Crumbled Oreos
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • M&M’s
  • Peanut butter (warm for 30 seconds to easily drizzle it)
  • Marshmallow creme
  • Crushed pretzels
stack of buddy the elf-inspired pancakes beside a christmas tree mug, in front of a christmas tree

Buddy the Elf-Inspired Breakfast Pancakes

We aren't affiliated with 'Elf' or New Line Cinema; we're just fans producing pancakes for other fans to celebrate the film and the season.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 mixing bowl
  • 1 silicone spatula
  • 1 resealable plastic bag, sandwich or gallon size
  • 1 saute pan (at least 8 inches wide)
  • 1 spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 1 batch pancake batter (from recipe or box mix)
  • 1/2 cup chocolate syrup
  • 1/2 cup sprinkles
  • 1/2 cup M&M's
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup

Instructions
 

  • Prepare pancake batter according to the recipe or box instructions. (It should be a little thicker than buttermilk; runny enough that it's easy to squeeze out of the resealable bag.) Pour it in batches into a resealable plastic bag, adding only about a cup at a time so it's easy to draw with.
  • Add butter or cooking spray to the bottom of the sauté pan. Heat over medium-low heat. Once warmed, snip the corner of the resealable bag and use it to draw a squiggly spiral onto the pan.
  • Once a lip forms around the edge of the pancake and bubbles appear in the batter (around 1 minute), carefully flip and continue cooking until lightly golden on both sides.
  • Top however you wish. We used a handful of sprinkles and M&M's on each, as well as a drizzle of chocolate syrup and maple syrup to top things off. Serve immediately.

We aren’t affiliated with Elf or New Line Cinema; we’re just fans producing pancakes for other fans to celebrate the film and the season.

This post contains affiliate links, and purchases made through those links help fund Life Between Weekends.

Author: candacebd

Candace Braun Davison is a writer, editor and recipe developer who divides her time between New York and Florida. She's written articles that have appeared in PureWow, Delish, House Beautiful, Cosmo, Elle, Esquire, Elle Decor, Veranda, Good Housekeeping and more. She's also published and contributed to multiple cookbooks, including a tailgate cookbook specifically designed for USF students. A portion of the proceeds benefitted student scholarships at the university.