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Is there any argument that pancakes are the best weekend breakfast? They're delicious, easy to churn out for a crowd, and when you add the best pancake toppings, they're a decadent way to start off the day! Ree Drummond knows this well, and she's made countless iterations of her perfect pancakes for groups of hungry kids and cowboys over the years. "I happen to be obsessed with pancakes, and decided not to rest until I came up with the perfect pancake recipe," she jokes. After she perfected the basic pancake, she also went on to create creative twists, like her cornmeal pancakes and wild rice pancakes.
Picking out a recipe and making the pancakes is the easy part—it's choosing how to top them that's tricky! You can always reach for the classic butter-and-syrup combo, but there are so many more sauces and fruits to explore that go great with a short stack. Why settle for boring? No matter whether you're more of a sweet pancake toppings person, a savory toppings person, or you like a little bit of both, the best pancake toppings are sure to turn any plain ol' flapjacks into an unforgettable breakfast. So grab your spatula, throw some butter in your pan, and don't forget the iced coffee!
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Chocolate Sauce
Who said chocolate was just for dessert? Not Ree! She tops these pancakes with chocolate sauce and mini marshmallows to give them the hot cocoa treatment.
Lemon Zest
Topping your pancakes with lemon zest (and mixing some juice into the batter) is a great way to add freshness to your plate. Trust us, you'll love it!
Caramel Sauce
Caramel sauce is another great alternative to regular pancake syrup. It makes a regular breakfast feel festive!
Fresh Bananas
This classic breakfast food is even more delicious atop a short stack! Although not Ree's favorite, fresh bananas balance out the bread-yness of pancakes perfectly.
Get the recipe from Dara Michalski.
Blueberries
Blueberries are another popular breakfast fruit. And for good reason: They're both delicious and a great source of antioxidants.
Get the recipe from The Kitchen Paper.
Caramelized Bananas
These caramelized bananas will win over anyone! They make any plain stack of pancakes taste like warm banana bread.
Get the recipe from Heather Christo.
Marshmallow Creme
There's nothing like a little marshmallow fluff to give you nostalgia! It's great with some chocolate chips, too.
Get the recipe from Bridget Edwards.
Apples
Apples are another great fruit to top your pancakes with. Their crunchy tartness is a great companion to fluffy flapjacks.
Get the recipe from Dara Michalski.
Granola
Add a little crunch to your stack with some granola. Ree first created this delicious combo while on vacation in Colorado!
Eggs
Feeling adventurous? Try a savory topping on your pancakes, like a perfectly-runny fried egg.
Get the recipe from PancakeRecipes.com.
Peanut Butter
Give breakfast a nutty twist by topping it with your favorite peanut butter. Both creamy and crunchy peanut butters would taste great!
Get the recipe from Crumb Blog.
Berry Compote
Keep a jar of berry compote in your fridge to top all kinds of breakfasts, including pancakes. You can make it from whatever berries you like!
Get the recipe from The Noshery.
Whipped Cream
Dress up your pancakes like they do at the diner: with a big scoop of butter and a dollop of whipped cream. Ree makes hers from scratch!
Bacon
Is there a better combo than pancakes and bacon? You don't even need a recipe for this ideas—just layer slices of crispy bacon between flapjacks. And drizzle with some syrup, of course!
Nuts
Sprinkle a mix of your favorite nuts onto your breakfast plate for an autumnal touch. They bring both flavor and some crunch!
Chocolate Chips
You already know chocolate chips are great cooked in pancakes. Why not throw a handful on top, too?
Get the recipe from Never Any Thyme.
Ice Cream
Turn any stack of pancakes into dessert by just adding a scoop of ice cream. Vanilla, chocolate, and coffee are all great flavors to try!
Icing or Frosting
Give your pancakes the cinnamon bun treatment by topping them with sweet icing. Is it breakfast or dessert? We'll let you decide.
Get the recipe from Life in the Lofthouse.
Pomegranate Seeds
Pomegranate seeds are tart and refreshing. They're excellent on pancakes with a bit of cream!
Get the recipe from Warm & Rosy.
Sprinkles
Who said sprinkles were just for special occasions? Make every breakfast more festive by adding a spoonful to your plate.
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