These layered pancake towers combine all the things you love about strawberry shortcake into one showstopping weekend breakfast that’s guaranteed to wow brunch guests!
So I think we can safely say that the strawberry craving got a little bit out of control this past week….
I swear, those juicy little summer strawberries just whisper to me: Put me in all the things! So I do with zerooooo regrets.
Case-in-point: Right now. So uhhh obviously my TGIF spirit got the better of me today. Strawberry shortcake pancake towers all around for everybody!
Is your mind blown yet? Mine is just barely hanging on.
So talk to me: is summer in full swing in your neck of the woods yet? It sure as heck is here. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous, (70s and sunny here all week—yaaay!) nearly all of the busy summer activities have started up again, pool days are pretty much EVERY day, and…..well, when I break out the ice cream maker twice during the same week then you KNOW it’s really summer again.
P.S. I’ve got a few killer ice cream recipes coming soon-ish.
P.P.S. You’re reaaaaaaally gonna love them.
Alright, have I rambled about my current life enough for you guys yet? Sorry, I’m feeling kinda chatty today. I’d say it’s time we talk about mind-blowing weekend breakfasts and the fact that strawberries are IN STYLE again and lord forbid us from not keeping up with the trends, c’mon!
*pant, pant* Okay, I’m breathing again. Please continue.
Here we go: Guuuuuuuys, I seriously just made us all pretty much the ultimate summer weekend breakfast.
Strawberry shortcake in multi-layered breakfast form with PANCAKES.
With pillow-y whipped cream and extra-extra fresh strawberry sauce because we’re going all out here.
Shutthefrontdoor. Just do it.
Allow me to recap in plain English just what we’ve got going on here in Summer Wonderland this lovely Friday morning.
- Ultra-soft and fluffy buttermilk cornmeal pancakes. The rustic-ness! I ♥ it.
- Lightly sweetened billow-y whipped cream with texture similar to that of a goose-feather pillow. (no, really!)
- A super-fresh, slightly-tangy-but perfectly-sweet strawberry sauce that sorta tastes like summer got put into one bowl. (true story!)
And now imagine, if you will, ALL of these lovely components hanging out together in multi-layered breakfast towers. Layer after luscious layer of fluffy pancakes, juicy strawberries, and soft whipped cream all mimicking strawberry shortcake in easy-peasy Saturday morning-style breakfast fare that ANYONE can make.
It’s okay to drool a little bit, guys. A completely normal response to such breakfast insanity.
In fact, forget what I said earlier about my mind just barely hanging on by a thread. It’s going-going-BLOWN.
I get the feeling my family was properly impressed over these pancake towers when I made them last weekend. There were a lot of oohs and ahhs and even a few, this is the best breakfast ever! squeals.
No lies here, guys. Strawberry shortcake in breakfast form ROCKS THE TASTEBUDS. And it will rock your weekend. And possibly your whole summer. 😉
Seriously though: this = complete-and-total strawberry insanity. ♥
Strawberry Shortcake Pancake Towers
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons coconut sugar or brown sugar, divided
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
- Sweetened whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 tablespoon sugar. In a separate large bowl, whisk egg, oil, and buttermilk until smooth. Gently fold flour mixture into liquid until just combined.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook pancakes by 1/4 cupfuls in batches 1-1/2 to 2 minutes on each side until golden-brown.
- In a small bowl, mash 1 cup of strawberries with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Stir in remaining 1 cup sliced strawberries. Let strawberries stand 10 minutes or until they release their juices.
- Assemble the towers: Layer 3 pancakes with strawberry sauce and whipped cream on a serving plate. Repeat with remaining pancakes, strawberries, and whipped cream. Serve immediately
More strawberry eats because it’s strawberry season!
3-Ingredient Fresh Strawberry Sauce
Double-Chocolate Strawberry Banana Bread
Steel-Cut Oatmeal with Maple-Roasted Strawberries
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This pancake tower is so gorgeous, Sarah! And looks SO delish, too! I love the idea of combining strawberry shortcakes with pancakes. I’m swooning over the strawberries and whipped cream. This sounds so decadent!
Sarah says
It definitely screams weekend brunch right?! Thanks for the sweet words, Gayle!
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen says
How did you know that I love strawberry pancakes?? I am loving all the yummy cream in between and of course, those gorgeous strawberries on top!!
Sarah says
Thanks Renee! These pancakes totally sound up your alley!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
Oooh, yes! Sign me up for a pancake tower! What a great summer brunch idea!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Kelly! Hope you’re having an awesome weekend!
Heather - Butter & Burlap says
I’m so in love with all things strawberries right now! I just get giddy at the grocery store looking at all the fresh and in-season produce! I honestly haven’t thought to put cornmeal in my buttermilk pancakes, but you can best believe I am doing it now!
Sarah says
Yeeeeees! This is totally the best time of the year produce-wise! You’ve so gotta try these pancakes, Heather. 🙂
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
As soon as I pick fresh strawberries, I’m making these!!!
Sarah says
Let me know how they turn out, Erin!! Have a great rest of the weekend. 😉
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
That looks like a fantastic breakfast! Nothing like fresh strawberries 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks June! Fresh strawberries totally make the world go round. 😉
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
This is serious summer brunch goodness! I’m loving the dessert for breakfast feel here 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks Medha! Nothing beats dessert-for-breakfast!
mira says
I’m obsessed with fresh strawberries and need to try these very soon! Love them! Pinned of course!
Sarah says
Thanks for the pin as always, Mira! Have a great Sunday. 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Your gorgeous pancakes always leave me swooning! We can’t get enough all the fresh strawberries right now and I love love love the strawberry shortcake twist!
Sarah says
Awww thanks so much girlfriend! Have an amazing Sunday!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Yesterday was the first day that really felt like summer. Sunny and 82 degrees. Just perfect! And speaking of perfect, these pancake towers are amazing! The bigger the tower the better!
Sarah says
Ahhhh! That’s my idea of a perfect day weatherwise! Hope you’re having a fun weekend, Nat!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
Strawberry shortcake is one of my favorite desserts. I love that I have an excuse to eat them for breakfast 🙂 These pancakes look amazing!
Sarah says
Thanks Ashley! Dessert-for-breakfast in pancake form on a weekend is just necessary! 😉
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
I can never get enough of strawberries, especially now that they’re EVERYWHERE. Typically we’re all about plain old pancakes, but these have me craving a some variety. Looks delicious!
Sarah says
Yes strawberries are literally everywhere! I just want to put them in everything! 😉
Cheryl says
I’m so obsessed with strawberry shortcake everything and you guys are making it impossible on me!! Well Plated Erin made strawberry shortcake waffles yesterday and now this?! What are you trying to do?! My #1 craving, mmmmmman! I think I need to make these for brunch tomorrow.. mm!
Sarah says
When I saw Erin’s recipe the other day my jaw literally dropped! And then I had to laugh over how similar both our minds were working! LOL. So awesome. 😉 And YES! You totally need these towers for brunch, girl! DO IT.
Mel @ The Refreshanista says
um WOAH, talk about breakfast heaven!!!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Mel!
Mary Frances says
Strawberries talk to me too! Hmmm … 😉 Um, your family better have been impressed, these are absolutely gorgeous! The cornmeal pancakes oh my heck yes; I <3 the rustic-ness too! 🙂 It is definitely summer around here too, I'm jealous of your 70 degree weather, we're hitting 80s and the humidity is calling for some whipped cream. Like, a lot of it. Pinning!
Sarah says
Haha! Don’t be jealous because we’re supposed to hit nearly 90 this week with full-on humidity! Which I guess just seals it that I’m making these towers yet AGAIN. 😉 Best problem ever. LOL. Thanks for pinning girlie! xoxo
Amira says
This is so lovely, these pancakes scream summer :). Loved your recipe and the pictures are so mouth watering.
Sarah says
Thank you Amira! Hope you’re having a good weekend!