Strawberry Syrup for Pancakes

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If there’s one thing that makes waking up earlier than usual a breeze, it’s the promise of indulging in a stack of warm, fluffy pancakes doused with a rich and gooey strawberry syrup. Forget about the store-bought versions; I’m thrilled to share with you my all-time favorite homemade Strawberry Syrup for Pancakes recipe that will elevate your pancake game to new heights.

How to make Strawberry Syrup for Pancakes

Strawberry syrup for pancakes is a sweet, fruity topping made from fresh or frozen strawberries, sugar, and a thickening agent like cornstarch or lemon juice. It’s cooked down into a syrupy consistency and poured over pancakes, waffles, or even ice cream.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, cleaned and hulled (frozen strawberries can also be used if fresh aren’t available)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust based on your sweetness preference)
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional for enhanced flavor)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, adds a slight tanginess that complements the sweetness)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Strawberries: If you’re using fresh strawberries, make sure they are hulled and sliced. If they are quite large, cut them into smaller pieces to ensure they cook down evenly. For frozen strawberries, ensure they are thawed to enable even cooking.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar has fully dissolved. This creates your simple syrup base. Add the sliced strawberries to the syrup and bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Cook the Mixture: Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the strawberries to cook for about 10-15 minutes or until they are soft and the liquid starts to thicken. During this time, the strawberries will release their natural juices enhancing the flavor.
4. Add Flavor Enhancers: After the strawberries have softened, stir in the vanilla extract and lemon juice, if using. These add depth to the syrup’s flavor profile.
5. Blend (Optional): For a smoother syrup, use an immersion blender to blend the mixture right in the pot. Alternatively, you can transfer it to a standard blender. Blend until you achieve your desired consistency. Be careful while blending hot liquids.
6. Strain (Optional): If you prefer a seedless syrup, strain the mixture using a fine mesh sieve.
7. Cool and Serve: Allow the syrup to cool slightly before serving. It will thicken more as it cools.

Tips for Perfect Strawberry Syrup:

• Adjust Sweetness: Taste the syrup while cooking and adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar if needed. Remember, the sweetness can vary depending on the natural sweetness of your strawberries.
• Storage: Leftover strawberry syrup should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for up to a week.
• Revive Flavors: When reheating, add a dash of water or additional lemon juice to bring back the syrup’s fluid consistency and zest.

Ingredients Substitutes

If you’re looking to make strawberry syrup for pancakes but need to substitute some ingredients due to preferences or dietary restrictions, here are some options:

Strawberries:

• Frozen Strawberries: If fresh strawberries aren’t available or in season, frozen strawberries are a great substitute and can often be purchased year-round. There’s no need to adjust the recipe; simply thaw the berries before use.
• Other Berries: You can also use other types of berries like raspberries, blueberries, or a mix of your favorite berries to make a berry syrup instead.

Granulated Sugar:

• Honey or Maple Syrup: For a natural sweetener option, honey or maple syrup can replace granulated sugar. Start with about 3/4 cup and adjust to taste; these sweeteners offer different flavor notes and can be more potent in sweetness.
• Brown Sugar: To add a deeper, caramel-like flavor to the syrup, consider brown sugar. It will also give the syrup a darker color.
• Stevia or Other Sugar Substitutes: To reduce the sugar content, use stevia or a sugar-free sweetener. Be sure to adjust the quantity according to the sweetness level of the substitute, as it can be much sweeter than sugar.

Water:

• Fruit Juice: For added flavor, use fruit juice such as apple juice or orange juice in place of water. This will imbue the syrup with additional fruity notes.

Vanilla Extract (Optional):

• Almond Extract: A few drops of almond extract can offer a nutty twist to the syrup. It’s quite potent, so use it sparingly.
• Orange Zest or Lemon Zest: Fresh citrus zest can brighten up the syrup with a refreshing zesty flavor if vanilla isn’t your thing or you don’t have it handy.

Lemon Juice (Optional):

• Citric Acid: If lemon juice is unavailable, a tiny pinch of citric acid can provide that slight tanginess.
• Other Citrus Juices: Lime or orange juice can also stand in for lemon juice, offering a different but complementary acidic touch to the sweetness of the syrup.

Final Thoughts

By following these instructions and tips, you’ll create a lusciously thick and flavorful Strawberry Syrup for Pancakes that is also perfect for drizzling over fresh waffles or even ice cream.

More Pancake Recipes:

• Trader Joe’s Thai Coconut Pancakes Recipe
• Copycat Trader Joe’s Pancakes Recipe