Sri Lankan Coconut Pancakes
These gluten-free Sri Lankan Coconut Pancakes are almost like a thicker crepe and are flavored with a hint of almond, vanilla and turmeric – and guess what – they would be perfect for your Saturday morning brunch!
Thanks to my parents, my young insides were not introduced to a burger or fries – even on busy nights! To be perfectly fair, burgers and fries were not traditional Sri Lankan eats 🙂 . The Sri Lankan eats my sister and I devoured happily when we were young, were actually veggie and spice heavy. Back then my mom would feed us homemade kiribath, or mung bean and coconut “salad,” or string hoppers, or a smorgasbord of veggie curries. However, from all the day-to-day Sri Lankan eats my mom made, my all time favorite were her coconut pancakes with a coconut and jaggery filling.
Jaggery is an unrefined and non-distilled sugar that is made from the sap of sucrose rich plants such as sugar cane and/or date palm trees. I first mentioned it here when I posted the recipe for my version of Sri Lankan Watalappan.
My mom would make delicate, turmeric spiced pancakes without any baking powder and she would stuff them with this almost un-earthly, soft and scrumptious, coconut, jaggery, cardamom and vanilla filling. My dad and I shared a wicked sweet tooth so we would compete to see who would end up with the last decadent pancake, but, my mom would always act as referee and get us to both slow down – with the race ending when my sister would appear from nowhere and grab that last pancake!
Today, I have my version of my mom’s baking powder free, Coconut Pancakes – but mine comes with a roasted Coconut and Jaggery topping and Coconut Whipped Cream. While my mom’s pancakes were thinner (like a crepe) – mine are a tad bit thicker – like a thicker crepe. Like her’s, my pancakes are also flavored with turmeric.; but, I also added a bit of almond and vanilla extract to mine. While, my mom’s traditional coconut and jaggery mix was soft – I toasted mine – to make it crunchy and offset the whipped cream topping.
While my mom’s stuffed pancakes were rolled and easy to engage in a pancake eating contest – my version isn’t quite so easy to do so with. But, mine are perfect for lounging around and lazily filling up on on a weekend morning!
This Recipe first appeared on Food Fanatic. Please check out Food Fanatic for more recipes and inspiration.
Coconut is my FAV – wish I had a stack of these gorgeous pancakes right now!
Thanks so much Sharon
Dear Shashi, never heard of jaggery. You always widen my horizons. These pancakes look decadent and delicious, perfect for a weekend brunch. Sounds like your sister swooped in and saved the day. (It worked for her anyway…hee hee.) Have a great couple days and then the WEEKEND!!! Enjoy. xo
Hahaha – yeah – it worked for her indeed!
Thanks bunches Allie! Now 1 more day and the weekend! Woohoo! Hope you and your family have a wonderful one! xo
These look so light, fluffy and delicious! <3 I neeeed to try em' out! :D!
Thanks so much Farrah! <3
What a delicious weekend breakfast, Winona! I really need to find some of this jaggery that you mention…it sounds like a fun ingredient!
Oh heck! Winona moved away!
But I would gladly drone you some jaggery – oh wait – oh bugger – my drone is dead! 🙂
Seriously – jaggery is kinda like hardened molasses – I wanna say more “smokyish” than brown sugar – and not as sweet – some people say it’s an aquired taste – Lil Shashi won’t eat it plain – but my cousin and I can tear up a chunk of jaggery in 0-30 seconds!
Oh my goodness, these pancakes look soooo good!
Thanks so much Marye
I don’t even know what to say, except Thank You!! These look absolutely incredible. I am not a huge fan of flaked coconut and yet I was so drawn to this recipe–it is the spiced cakes–love, love, love them!
Awww – you are so welcome Kristen – and thank you for such a sweet comment – made my day!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Wow these sound so interesting, especially jaggery. I’ve never heard of that (are you surprised?). These sound absolutely delicious!
Hey, I learned about tossing pumpkin with coconut oil and coconut sugar from YOU yesterday – guess we both introduced each other to something new -eh? 🙂
Dear Shashi, such an exotic and delightful twist on breakfast. I love the pinch of turmeric..these sound lovely dear. xo, Catherine
Thanks so much Catherine! xo
What a lovely recipe! I know what you mean… we never ate at restaurants or fast food growing up. It was always fresh, home cooking from my mother. This coconut flour recipe is definitely a winner. 🙂
Thanks so much Ramona! I apologize for not reading your about page – but did you grow up in SL? I was there till I was 10 – then moved and only went back to visit once…one day I need to take my daughter there…
Very interesting spin on pancakes. These look incredible
Thanks so much Allie
i love all things coconut so these pancakes are obviously on my list. i would love to try your moms cooking along with yours someday.
Thanks so much friend – you know you are welcome over anytime!
I would’ve loved to have grown up in your household with all of those veggies! These turmeric-spiced pancakes look incredible -I can’t wait to try these!!!
Thanks so much Alanna! Yes – they were curried veggies so we didn’t even realize they were good for us as they tasted so darn good! 🙂
These sound absolutely gorgeous! I’ve never had pancakes like this before but they look so much tastier than most pancakes I’ve had.
Thanks so much Corina!
These pictures, and your mouth watering description are enough to make me want to book the first available flight over from here! 🙂
Haha – Thanks so much Neil! If you and Lynne ever come over, I would be honored to make y’all a stack of these! Hope y’all have a wonderful weekend!
What a decadent treat Shashi 🙂
Thanks so much Tandy
MMmm I love all things coconut and these pancakes are definitely not an exception- YUM! Your last picture is exceptional, Shashi! Reading this book definitely took me back to my trip to Sri Lanka last year- really loved it, especially the food!
Thanks so much Khushboo! I remember you mentioning your trip – It’s been so long since I went back there – but you are right – the food is AHMAZING!