I’m on a mission to prove that colorful food can be made without artificial dyes. According to the National Library of Medicine, “All of the nine currently US-approved dyes raise health concerns of varying degrees. Red 3 causes cancer in animals, and there is evidence that several other dyes also are carcinogenic.”
Just like butterflies are attracted to vibrant flowers, humans are attracted to flamboyant foods. It’s a natural sensory response. Unfortunately, synthetic dyes aren’t natural, and they aren’t safe.
Seen and Green is committed to helping you have fun in the kitchen without consuming unnecessary ingredients that may cause cancer.
St. Patrick's Day Healthy Green Pancakes
This article contains awesome affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I will earn a commission if you purchase through the links.
What is Pandan Powder?
Pandan powder is made from pandan leaves that grow in Southeast Asia. Quality pandan is made from organic sun-dried leaves that are ground into a powder. Pandan has an herbal flavor with a hint of sweet vanilla.
Pandan Health Benefits
Remember how I said that artificial food coloring causes cancer? According to this medically reviewed article on WebMD, pandan can prevent cancer! It can also help prevent diabetes and heart disease and is packed with vitamins and antioxidants which include:
- Niacin
- Vitamin C
- Riboflavin
- Thiamin
- Beta-Carotene
Where to Buy Pandan Powder
You can buy pandan powder on Amazon.com in 4-ounce options or 16-ounce options. I recommend this Blue Orchid Brand because it is organic, which means it was grown to the highest standards, without herbicides or pesticides.
How to Make a Four Leaf Clover Pancake for St. Patrick's Day
By arranging four heart-shaped pancakes, I was able to create beautiful four-leaf clover St. Patrick’s Day pancakes!
There are a few options for heart-shaped pancake molds, but I chose this one because it is made from a harmless material – stainless steel.
I don’t recommend buying a non-stick heart mold, because non-stick cookware is typically made with harmful chemicals! To prevent the pancake batter from sticking to the heart-shaped mold, simply grease it with butter!
Pandan Green Whipped Cream Recipe
For optimal health and flavor, use only organic ingredients with no unnecessary chemical preservatives! Your body and the planet will thank you!
I recommend making the whipped cream first so you can store it in the refrigerator while you are making the pancakes.
Whipped Cream Ingredients
- 1 cup of cold heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbs powdered sugar
- 1 tbs pandan powder
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
How to Make Pandan Whipped Cream
- Mix the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, pandan powder, and vanilla extract on high speed for 1-2 minutes, until stiff peaks form. (I used my little Ninja mixer.) If overmixed, the cream will look lumpy. To fix it, simply add a little more cream and stir it in by hand.
- Put the whipped cream in an icing bag and set it aside in the refrigerator. (You don’t have to have an icing bag. It just makes the cream look more decorative.)
St. Patrick's Day Healthy Green Pancakes Recipe
For optimal health and flavor, use only organic ingredients with no unnecessary chemical preservatives! Your body and the planet will thank you!
Green Pancake Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups of buttermilk
- 1/2 cup of regular milk
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup of butter
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 1 1/2 cups of flour
- 1/2 cup of pandan powder
- 4 tsp baking powder (aluminum free)
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Maple syrup (Optional. You may not want it because the whipped cream is sweet enough!)
How to Make Healthy Green Pancakes
- Mix all of the dry pancake ingredients in a large bowl and set aside.
- On low to medium-low heat, melt the butter in the pan you plan to use for cooking the pancakes. You may remove the pan from the heat while you are mixing the ingredients so the butter won’t burn, but leave the burner on.
- When the butter is melted, pour it into a new mixing bowl, separate from the dry ingredients, and mix all the wet ingredients in with the butter.
- Mix the wet and dry pancake ingredients with a whisk.
- Set the buttered pan back on the warm burner and let it get warm on low to medium-low heat. I used heat setting 2.
- Grease the insides of the heart-shaped pancake mold with butter, set it in the buttered pan and pour pancake batter into the heart, halfway up the sides. The batter will rise as it cooks!
- You’ll know the pancake is ready to flip when you see small bubbles forming at the top of the batter. Gently remove the heart and carefully flip the pancake.
- To decorate, take the green whipped cream from the refrigerator and have fun making whatever shapes and patterns you like!
Thanks for Reading!
Interested in more naturally colorful recipes made without food coloring? Check out these other recipes!
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please share it!