Caramel latte pancakes are like your favorite coffeehouse beverage in the form of fluffy buttermilk pancakes! With brown sugar whipped cream and homemade caramel sauce, they’re an irresistible breakfast treat.

Caramel latte pancakes with caramel being poured on.

If fall has you in the mood for warm lattes (maybe cinnamon dolce, pumpkin spice, or maple pecan?), why not pair your morning pick-me-up with a stack of caramel latte pancakes? A homemade caramel latte plus caramel latte pancakes is pretty much the ultimate breakfast for coffee lovers, and because these pancakes are made with coffee too, you’ll start your day with a little extra pep in your step!

Yep, these fluffy buttermilk pancakes are infused with strongly brewed coffee, and they’re also made with brown sugar and vanilla for a hint of caramel flavor. Topping the pancakes is a brown sugar whipped cream and homemade caramel sauce, just like the caramel lattes you get at your favorite coffeehouse.

Table of Contents hide
  1. About this caramel latte pancake recipe
  2. What you need
  3. How to make them
  4. FAQs
  5. How to make these caramel latte pancakes your own
  6. Make Ahead Ideas
  7. Storage Suggestions
  8. Reheating Tips
  9. More caramel recipes
  10. Get the Recipe: Caramel Latte Pancakes Recipe

About this caramel latte pancake recipe

Caramel latte pancakes might not be on the menu for a busy weekday morning, but they’re perfect for a weekend breakfast on a chilly fall day. Or, you can make each component in advance and warm up the pancakes and caramel anytime. (Seriously, what could be better on a Monday morning than a stack of caramel latte pancakes?!)

Oh, and if you enjoy this recipe, be sure to try our coffee whipped cream, mocha pancakes, and iced vanilla latte. So much coffee goodness!

Pancakes topped with whipped cream and caramel.

What you need

  • Pancakes: Butter, eggs, buttermilk (here’s how to make buttermilk), strong coffee, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt
  • Whipped cream: Whipping cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract
  • Caramel Sauce: Whipping cream, brown sugar, salted butter, salt

Shortcuts: If you’d like, you can use store-bought whipped cream and caramel sauce. 

Ingredients needed including coffee and brown sugar.

How to make them

Prepare. Preheat an electric griddle to 375ºF or set a large skillet over medium-low heat. 

Make the batter. Whisk the melted butter into the egg in a mixing bowl. Whisk in the buttermilk, coffee, and vanilla, followed by the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Wet and dry ingredients of pancake batter.

Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.

Pancake batter in a clear bowl.

Cook the pancakes. Pour about ⅓ cup of batter onto the preheated griddle for each pancake. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until the pancakes are golden brown on the bottom. Turn and cook for a minute or two more, or until the other side is also golden brown.

Pancakes on a platter.

Make the whipped cream. Combine all of the whipped cream ingredients in a medium mixing bowl and whisk with a hand mixer until the mixture is thick and fluffy.

Make the caramel sauce. Stir together all of the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once the mixture is bubbling, cook for 2 minutes more, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Caramel ingredients in a saucepan.

Finish. Plate the pancakes and top them with the caramel sauce and whipped cream.

Pancake, whipped cream, syrup, on fork.

FAQs

Does a caramel latte taste like coffee?

Since caramel lattes are made with coffee, they do taste like coffee, but the strength of that taste can vary depending on how much milk, caramel sauce, and foam are added to the drink. 

What is caramel sauce vs. caramel syrup?

Caramel syrup is thinner, while caramel sauce has a thicker, richer consistency. This is because caramel sauce is made with butter and milk or cream, while caramel syrup is made with water.

Can you over-mix whipped cream? 

Yes, if you mix whipped cream too much, it will begin to break down. Mix only until soft peaks form; this means that when you lift the beater, a peak forms and then folds over.

How to make these caramel latte pancakes your own

Here are some ideas for switching up your caramel latte pancakes!

  • Add chocolate chips. You can never go wrong with adding chocolate chips, right? Fold mini chocolate chips into the pancake batter (like our mocha chocolate chip pancakes), or sprinkle them over the top before serving.
  • Garnish with sliced banana. Not many fruits work well with the flavor of coffee, but banana is perfect for these caramel latte pancakes!
  • Make them decaf. You can totally use decaf coffee to make these pancakes if you prefer a non-caffeinated pancake breakfast!
Caramel sauce dripping down stack of pancakes.

Make Ahead Ideas

The caramel latte pancakes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. The whipped cream can also be made in advance, but it will only last about a day in the fridge. You can make the caramel sauce and refrigerate it for 2 to 3 weeks. 

Storage Suggestions

You can freeze the pancakes in an airtight storage container or a freezer bag with parchment paper between the layers to keep the pancakes from sticking to each other. The caramel sauce can also be frozen; it will keep for up to 3 months.

Reheating Tips

Microwave the caramel latte pancakes until they’re warmed through, or place them on a sheet pan, cover them with foil, and heat in a 350ºF oven for about 10 minutes. (Covering the sheet pan with foil keeps the pancakes from getting dry in the oven.) If you’re reheating the pancakes from frozen, simply add a few more minutes to the cooking time.

The caramel sauce should be thawed in the refrigerator, then reheated in the microwave.

More caramel recipes

Caramel latte pancakes with cut out of them.

Get the Recipe: Caramel Latte Pancakes Recipe

Caramel latte pancakes are like your favorite coffeehouse beverage in the form of fluffy buttermilk pancakes! 
5 from 3 rating
Print Pin Rate
Servings: 5 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 836kcal
Author: Rachel Gurk

Ingredients

For the batter

  • ¼ cup butter, melted
  • 2 eggs
  • ⅔ cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup strong coffee
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoon baking powder
  • Dash of salt

For the Whipping Cream

  • 1 ½ cup whipping cream
  • 1 ½ tablespoon brown sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Caramel Sauce

  • ½ cup whipping cream
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup salted butter
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

For the Pancakes:

  • Preheat an electric griddle to 375ºF or a large frying over medium-low heat.
  • Melt the butter in a microwavable bowl.
  • Then whisk together the butter into the egg in a medium-large mixing bowl. Whisk in the buttermilk, coffee, and vanilla.
  • Add in the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
  • Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
  • Pour about ⅓ cup batter onto the preheated griddle/pan. Cook until a medium golden brown on the first side (about 3 minutes). Flip and cook one to two minutes longer.

For the Whipping Cream:

  • Place all ingredients in a medium sized bowl.
  • Using the whisk attachment on a hand mixer, whip until thick.

For the Caramel Sauce:

  • Measure out all the ingredients into a small saucepan.
  • Stir and cook over medium heat.
  • Once the mixture is bubbling, cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Remove from heat.

To Assemble the Pancakes:

  • Top the pancakes with a spoonful of caramel sauce and a dollop of whipped cream.

Notes

  • Makes about 20 pancakes
  • Pancakes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. The whipped cream can also be made in advance, but it will only last about a day in the fridge. You can make the caramel sauce and refrigerate it for 2 to 3 weeks.
  • Freeze pancakes in an airtight storage container or a freezer bag with parchment paper between the layers to keep the pancakes from sticking to each other. The caramel sauce can also be frozen; it will keep for up to 3 months.
  • To reheat, microwave the caramel latte pancakes until they’re warmed through, or place them on a sheet pan, cover them with foil, and heat in a 350ºF oven for about 10 minutes. (Covering the sheet pan with foil keeps the pancakes from getting dry in the oven.) If you’re reheating the pancakes from frozen, simply add a few more minutes to the cooking time.
  • The caramel sauce should be thawed in the refrigerator, then reheated in the microwave.
Serving: 4pancakes, Calories: 836kcal, Carbohydrates: 74g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 56g, Saturated Fat: 35g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 14g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 225mg, Sodium: 866mg, Potassium: 284mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 34g, Vitamin A: 2115IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 431mg, Iron: 3mg