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Home » Recipes » Recipe Roundups

Last Updated: Apr 20, 2024 by Angela Latimer · Leave a Comment

Pancake Toppings

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Pin quad split image with text overlay showing different pancake toppings.

Pancake toppings might make you think of syrup and butter, but there are a ton of other sweet sauces and tasty toppings you could try! You can make them super sweet, fresh and fruity, or even rich and chocolatey. Take a look at all the best toppings for a stack of show-stopping pancakes.

Before you start flipping flapjacks, I have a whole guide dedicated to how to make pancake mix better, as well as a guide to making them fluffier. Then, once you've picked your toppings, stop by my page on what to serve with pancakes to complete your meal!

Square split image showing different pancake toppings.
Jump to:
  • 1. Maple Syrup
  • 2. Honey Syrup
  • 3. Blueberry Syrup
  • 4. Whipped Cream
  • 5. Roasted Berries
  • 6. Cinnamon Sugar
  • 7. Cherry Pie Filling
  • 8. Vanilla Icing
  • 9. Chocolate Icing
  • 10. Apple Pie Filling
  • 11. Chantilly Cream
  • 12. Pineapple Pie Filling
  • 13. Raspberry Pie Filling
  • 14. Baked Cinnamon Apples
  • 15. Blackberry Pie Filling
  • 16. Lemon Curd
  • 17. Toffee Sauce
  • 18. Apple Curd
  • 19. Strawberry Coulis
  • How To Choose The Best Pancake Toppings
  • 🥞 😋 Best Pancake Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • Best Pancake Toppings: Strawberry Coulis (+More Tasty Options!)
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

While syrup and butter are about as classic as it gets when it comes to pancake toppings, you certainly aren't limited to them! Obviously, they had to make this list, but for a truly unique and flavorful flapjack, I recommend you branch out!

Experiment with different fruits (or fruit syrups). Add a drizzle of chocolate or caramel, or sprinkle on some crushed nuts. The possibilities and combinations are endless!

1. Maple Syrup

It should come as no surprise that maple syrup sits at the top of this list. It is the most popular (so some may argue the 'best') pancake topping by far. However, sometimes you don't have maple syrup, or maybe you just don't like it.

Either way, there are a number of equally delicious maple syrup substitutes you could try. Or, just grab something else from further down the list!

Best Maple Syrup Substitute: Honey (+ More Great Alternatives!)
A maple syrup substitute is easier to find than you would think, in fact, you may have one of these ingredients waiting in your pantry! Whether you just whipped up a big batch of pancakes, you're making a marinade, or anything in between, these maple syrup substitutes are here to help you out in a pinch!
Check out this recipe
Best maple syrup substitute ideas and alternatives to use in any recipe.

2. Honey Syrup

If you prefer the flavor of honey to maple syrup, then this honey syrup is the perfect solution. You can drizzle it just as easily, and you can make your own at home in a snap!

Honey Syrup
This honey syrup makes a sweet and delicious addition to coffee, tea, cocktails, marinades, desserts, and more! It only uses 2 ingredients and takes just a couple of minutes to make. Plus, it can be stored in the fridge for a month so you will always have some ready to go!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of honey syrup.

3. Blueberry Syrup

Homemade blueberry syrup is another pancake classic that doesn't get the appreciation it deserves! Pair it with these made-from-scratch blueberry pancakes for a double punch of delicious blueberry flavor!

Homemade Blueberry Syrup
My easy homemade blueberry syrup has chunky bits of fresh or frozen blueberry and is so much better than the store-bought version! Whether you're making pancakes, waffles, crepes, or something else entirely, this homemade blueberry syrup without cornstarch is an amazing topping! Rich in blueberry flavor, perfectly sweet, plus a hint of lemon- delicious!
Check out this recipe
Square image of blueberry syrup in a jar.

4. Whipped Cream

A dollop of whipped cream makes just about everything better! Actually, I like to use quite a bit more than a 'dollop, but who's counting?

Stabilized Whipped Cream With Gelatin
Homemade stabilized whipped cream with gelatin is a fluffy and sweet treat that can easily take any dessert to the next level! It is so much better than any store-bought whipped cream you can find! Add your favorite extract flavorings and make it the perfect component to any recipe or the perfect topping!
Check out this recipe
Stabilized Whipped Cream

5. Roasted Berries

A blend of berries roasted until they break down into a sweet and syrupy bowl of goodness! I love serving these warm, sticky berries on top of cast-iron Dutch baby pancakes as a cozy and rustic breakfast or brunch.

Roasted Berries
These sweet oven roasted berries make an exceptional topping for everything from oatmeal, to desserts, to French toast! I take a fresh blend of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries and roast them in the oven until they are soft, syrupy, and sweet like candy!
Check out this recipe
Roasted berries served over raspberry white chocolate loaf cake slice and topped with whipped cream.

6. Cinnamon Sugar

It's hard to believe that something as simple as mixing cinnamon into sugar can taste so incredible! I love cinnamon sugar on plain buttermilk pancakes, but the warm taste of cinnamon is downright heavenly on these apple cider pancakes.

Cinnamon Sugar
This cinnamon sugar is the perfect way to top off any of your favorite desserts, sweet coffees, and baked goods! It has so many uses and is extremely easy to make so you’ll never want to buy it from the store again! Add it to any of your recipes to make the dish extra delicious!
Check out this recipe
Square image showing cinnamon sugar in a small bowl.

7. Cherry Pie Filling

Cherry pie filling may not be a typical topping, but now that you're thinking about it, it sounds pretty good, right? I promise it is!

If you don't want to make your own cherry pie filling, you can learn how to make canned cherry pie filling taste better for equally tasty results!

Cherry Pie Filling
Homemade cherry pie filling is the most delicious way to fill not only pies but any sweet baked goods that could use some cherry flavor! This pie filling comes together in just 20 minutes and can be made with fresh or frozen pie cherries! Your fruit-filled desserts are about to get a whole lot better!
Check out this recipe
Wide shot image of cherry pie filling in a white bowl.

>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<

8. Vanilla Icing

Vanilla icing isn't just for the kiddy smiley-face pancakes at IHOP (not that they aren't delicious)! You can always drizzle icing over sliced fruit on your pancakes for a more mature breakfast but with all the same sweetness.

Vanilla Icing For Donuts
My vanilla icing for donuts is smooth and creamy, making it perfect for pouring, drizzling, or dunking your favorite baked goods! With just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes time, you can whip up this easy vanilla icing for cinnamon rolls, scones, cakes, turnovers, or whatever you like!
Check out this recipe
Square image of spoon drizzling out vanilla glaze for donuts.

9. Chocolate Icing

Chocolate chip pancakes with a drizzle of rich chocolate icing? Yes, please! Not to mention, it would be super tasty on my fluffy chocolate pancakes to make double chocolate flapjacks fit for a king!

Chocolate Icing For Donuts
This chocolate icing for donuts is rich, indulgent, and goes perfectly on top of some fresh, homemade baked doughnuts! It is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth or chocolate craving. This recipe only requires 2 ingredients, so it can't get any easier!
Check out this recipe
Square image of a spoon of chocolate icing for donuts.

10. Apple Pie Filling

The tender spiced apples that make up the filling for apple pie are great in a number of other desserts, too (including pancakes)! You can use canned or homemade, though homemade apple pie filling always tastes the best!

Apple Pie Filling
This apple pie filling is easy to make and just what you need to make the best fruit-filled sweets, treats, and desserts! It can be used right away or frozen and saved for later. With this recipe, making apple pie filling from scratch on the stovetop couldn't be easier!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of apple pie filling in a white bowl.

11. Chantilly Cream

This light and fluffy French whipped cream is a little more decadent than your usual whipped topping. It's perfect for dessert-inspired pancakes or pancakes topped with fresh fruit!

Chantilly Cream
This chantilly cream is a delightfully tasty and incredibly easy way to take your homemade desserts to a new level! Your homemade whipped cream has never tasted better than when you switch it up with a drizzle of vanilla extract or almond extract - or use a flavor best suited to match your dessert! Crème Chantilly is light, delicious, and can be enjoyed in so many different ways!
Check out this recipe
Chantilly cream on stand mixer whisk.

12. Pineapple Pie Filling

You may have noticed that there is a lot of pie filling on this list, and that's because it is an easy and delicious way to improve your pancakes! The sweet, tropical flavor of pineapple is a great way to incorporate a bright, refreshing flavor!

If this pineapple pie filling sounds enticing, you could try pineapple curd, too!

Pineapple Pie Filling
Pineapple pie filling is not only easy and quick to make, but it is a perfect addition to so many tasty desserts! You can use it in pies, ice cream, cobblers, and more! Not to mention, this homemade version tastes way better than anything you can find in a can.
Check out this recipe
Square image of pineapple pie filling in a glass jar with a spoon inside the jar.

13. Raspberry Pie Filling

Fresh raspberries are tasty, but this sweet and sticky raspberry pie filling is on a whole other level of deliciousness! It's super easy to make with fresh or frozen berries, and you can keep it in the fridge to use again and again.

Homemade Raspberry Pie Filling Recipe
This homemade raspberry pie filling is a fruity, rich filling that is perfect for delicious pies, cakes, and other sweet treats. You can use fresh or frozen raspberries for this easy recipe. Plus, it tastes better than anything you can get from a can.
Check out this recipe
Close up square image of raspberr pie filling in a glass jar.

14. Baked Cinnamon Apples

The natural sweetness of the apples shines through when they are baked in the oven. They're tender, perfectly spiced, and will make your pancakes even more filling!

Baked Cinnamon Apples
Sweet and tender baked cinnamon apples make a great side dish, dessert, or topping for pork chops, and they are so easy to make! Baking the apples brings out their natural sweetness and the sauce is perfectly caramelized, plus you can't beat them when served with ice cream!
Check out this recipe
Square image of baked cinnamon apples in a bowl with whipped cream.

15. Blackberry Pie Filling

The centers of blackberries are somewhat tough, but not when you cook them down into pie filling. Then, all of their natural sweet and tart flavor is multiplied ten-fold (and they are perfectly tender)!

Blackberry Pie Filling Recipe
This blackberry pie filling will surely be your new favorite way to use whole, mashed, fresh, or frozen blackberries. In just 20 minutes, you can make a sweet fruit filling that is delicious in more than just pie. Try it in your cakes, muffins, scones, or any of your favorite baked goods that could use some fruity blackberry flavor.
Check out this recipe
Square image of blackberry pie filling in a glass jar.

16. Lemon Curd

For a bright pop of creamy citrus flavor, try whipping up some lemon curd for your pancakes. It's so easy, you can even do it in the microwave!

Microwave Lemon Curd
This microwave lemon curd is such a popular and easy treat to whip up that you'll have no excuse not to find a million ways to use it. Eat it as-is, use it as a cake filling, spread it over cheesecake, or use it to make a pie. As an added bonus, it is ready in only ten minutes.
Check out this recipe
Microwave Lemon Curd

17. Toffee Sauce

Toffee sauce is rich and decadent, so it is perfect for dessert-inspired pancakes! It has a deep caramelized flavor that will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth.

English Toffee Sauce (Easy 15-Minute Dessert Sauce!)
English toffee sauce is delightfully rich and delicious with a warm, caramelized flavor that tastes fabulous on all your favorite sweets and treats. Making your own homemade toffee sauce from scratch is surprisingly easy and only takes 15 minutes. It's the perfect topping for luscious cakes, cheesecake recipes, ice cream sundaes, and more.
Check out this recipe
Square image of English toffee sauce in a glass jar.

18. Apple Curd

This rich eggy spread features warm cinnamon and sweet fresh apples. Spread it on your pancakes with some thinly sliced apples and whipped cream on top, and you'll see why it had to make this list!

Apple Curd
My easy apple curd is delightfully rich, full of flavor from cinnamon and sweet apples, and it's wonderful in so many desserts! Making a cinnamon apple curd is as simple as mixing a few basic ingredients on the stovetop, though it tastes anything but basic!
Check out this recipe
Rich and delicious apple curd in canning jar with spoon.

19. Strawberry Coulis

This sweet and fruity sauce has a super condensed strawberry flavor that makes it a favorite for fruit-lovers! Drizzle it on your pancakes with some fresh summer strawberries and a little chantilly cream for an out-of-this-world strawberry cream breakfast!

Strawberry Coulis
This strawberry coulis is an amazingly delicious fruit sauce that makes every dessert taste so much better! The intense strawberry flavor is irresistible yet so easy to make! You'll be adding it to everything you make, like pancakes, waffles, cheesecakes, and so much more!
Check out this recipe
Strawberry coulis pureed and ready to serve from storage jar.

How To Choose The Best Pancake Toppings

I put together this list of fun and tasty pancake toppings to help you get started.

  1. Use fruits. Fruits are an easy, simple, and delicious topping. Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), sliced bananas, peaches, and diced apples are popular choices.
  2. Spreads. Nut butters like peanut butter, almond butter, or Nutella hazelnut spread can make your pancakes more filling (and delicious)!
  3. Try using dairy. Whipped cream, Greek yogurt, or mascarpone cheese will add a creamy and rich element to your pancakes.
  4. Syrups and sauces. Of course, maple syrup is a popular (and delicious) choice. Feel free to try out other types of syrup as well like honey, agave nectar, or fruit syrups. Chocolate sauce, fruit compote, or caramel sauce are also delicious.
  5. Jam or jelly. Fruit jams, jelly, or preserves can be a delightful pancake topping (and you probably already have some)!
  6. Add nuts or seeds. Chopped nuts are a great addition if you want something crunchy. Seeds like chia seeds or flaxseeds are super nutritious, too.
  7. Dessert toppings. Your favorite desserts can give you some ideas for your pancake toppings. Experiment with using crushed cookies, chocolate chips, and even ice cream.

I hope this post inspires you to try some new and unique pancake toppings! Come back and let me know what tasty flavor combinations you come up with by leaving a comment below!

Best pancake recipes pin with 4 image collage photo and text title overlay.

🥞 😋 Best Pancake Recipes

  • Air Fryer Pancakes - The perfect recipe for when you need some fluffy flapjacks in a flash!
  • Dutch Pancakes - Super tender pancakes that are almost a cross between a pancake and a crepe!
  • Mini Silver Dollar Pancakes - These silver dollar-sized pancakes are super cute and always a hit with kids!
  • Puffed Dutch Pancakes - Fluffy, airy pancakes that are best served with a dusting of powdered sugar!
  • Homemade Pancakes - My go-to recipe for classic homemade pancakes, just like grandma used to make!
  • Sheet Pan Pancakes - One giant pancake baked on a sheet pan so it's perfect for serving a large crowd!

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
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Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
5 from 13 reviews

Best Pancake Toppings: Strawberry Coulis (+More Tasty Options!)

Pancake toppings might make you think of syrup and butter, but there are a ton of other sweet sauces and tasty toppings you could try! You can make them super sweet, fresh and fruity, or even rich and chocolatey! Take a look at all the best toppings for a stack of show-stopping pancakes!
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 34kcal
Prep 10 minutes minutes
Cooking 10 minutes minutes
Total Time 20 minutes minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb strawberries (16 ounces)
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

Stovetop Instructions

  • Wash and remove stems then cut strawberries into small chunks or slices.
  • In a medium sauce pan add the strawberries, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
  • Turn the stovetop up to medium-high heat, stirring occasionally while bringing the contents to a low boil.
  • Once at a low boil reduce heat to low or medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, then puree in a blender or food processor.
  • (Optional) To make a more refined version, you can pour the sauce into a sieve or chinois strainer and push through using a wooden spoon or spatula.

Microwave Instructions

  • In a small microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup, combine the sugar and lemon juice to make a thick mixture.
  • Heat on high for 2 minutes, then stir for about 10 seconds.
  • Transfer the hot syrup to a food processor or blender and add the lemon zest and fresh or frozen strawberries. Puree until smooth. Strain if desired (an optional step shown above).

Nutrition

Calories: 34kcal (2%) | Carbohydrates: 9g (3%) | Protein: 1g (2%) | Fat: 1g (2%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 71mg (2%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 7g (8%) | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 27mg (33%) | Calcium: 7mg (1%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, French

Originally published August 5, 2023

« Homemade Shake & Bake
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Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

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