Whip Up This Strawberry Pancake Recipe For Your Next Sunday Brunch

strawberry pancakes

Making pancakes on the weekends is pretty much a must-do in my household. Most of us have some experience of growing up with a favorite pancake recipe, and if fresh fruit is involved, all the better. The best fruit on pancakes? We're torn between bananas and strawberries (people seem to be pretty passionate about their chosen pancake-topping fruit). This fluffy strawberry pancake recipe is our latest go-to here at B+C, and I personally plan to whip it up for weekend brunches on a regular basis.

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or coconut sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon pink or sea salt

Wet Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 1/4 cup regular or non-dairy milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 cup diced strawberries, plus more for topping
  • Oil or butter for the pan

To Serve:

  • Maple syrup
  • Butter

Directions:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, add in all the dry ingredients and whisk until they are all mixed together.
  2. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, milk, egg, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk together slowly until no more dry lumps of flour remain. Let the batter rest for at least 10 minutes to hydrate the flour.
  3. While the batter is resting, dice the strawberries and prepare the pan. Heat butter or oil over medium-high heat on the pan on the stovetop. Make sure the butter or oil is evenly distributed on the pan so the pancakes do not stick to it.
  4. Place the diced strawberries in a bowl and have them ready by the pan. Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, scoop out the batter and pour onto the hot pan. You should be able to fit 2 or 3 pancakes on the pan, depending on the size of the pan and the thickness of the pancakes. Take a pinch of diced strawberries and place them on each pancake while the bottom is cooking. Allow each pancake to cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip. Cook for 1-2 more minutes, remove the pancakes onto a plate, then repeat with the remaining batter.
  5. Serve these fluffy strawberry pancakes with fresh strawberries, maple syrup, and more butter and serve them up hot.

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Whether you're spending Valentine's Day with your sweetie, hosting a Galentine's brunch for your gal pals, or basking in love with your fam, there's no question that a fancy dessert helps set the tone for a cozy and love-filled night in. We personally love cooking pasta recipes followed by a succulent dessert, but the menu options for Love Day run the gamut from seafood to international cuisine.

One thing that's not optional is chocolate — known to promote feelings similar to being in love or spending time with those closest to you, chocolate is one of the best flavors for Valentine's Day desserts. Combined with red wine and seasonal pear, it makes for a simply decadent treat — hence, this Red Wine Pear Cake. Trust us: This is going to be the best chocolate cake recipe you have ever tried.

Learn how to make the best Chocolate Cake ever

Red Wine Pear Cake With Chocolate Ganache

Sarah Anderson

Ingredients:

Pears

  • 3-4 firm Bosc pears
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups red wine
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3-4 whole cloves or 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Cake

  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 11 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups coconut sugar
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon pink salt
  • 1/2 cup 85% dark chocolate chips or bar broken into small pieces
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup gluten-free or regular all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Ganache

  • 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup full-fat coconut milk or heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons reserved spiced wine (see recipe notes)

Sarah Anderson

Directions:

  1. Peel the skin off the pears and remove the stems, seeds, and core. Slice in half. Add water, red wine, cinnamon, and cloves into a saucepan and place the pears in the liquid. Bring the wine mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let simmer for 20 minutes, until the pears are tender. Remove the pears from red wine and let cool. Continue simmering until sauce is reduced, and reserve 2 tablespoons for the chocolate ganache.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  3. Grease two 9-inch springform cake pans with butter or oil and set aside.
  4. Whisk two eggs in a separate bowl and set aside.
  5. In a small bowl, add the coconut milk and apple cider vinegar and whisk thoroughly. Let sit for at least 5 minutes.
  6. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Whisk in the coconut sugar then remove from heat and add in the red wine and salt until well mixed. Quickly add in the dark chocolate pieces and stir constantly until the chocolate is melted. Pour the vanilla extract in and whisk again.
  7. Add about one third of the chocolate mixture to the whisked eggs. Mix thoroughly and then pour back into a mixing bowl with the rest of the chocolate mixture.
  8. Add in coconut milk mixture, cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and baking soda, and mix until well combined.
  9. Pour the cake batter into two greased cake pans.
  10. Slice wine-poached pear halves in quarters and place in your desired design on top of the cake batter in the cake pans.
  11. Bake the cakes for 20-30 minutes.
  12. While cakes are baking, add the dark chocolate and coconut milk or heavy cream to a small saucepan. Heat on low until the chocolate is melted, whisking so that it is well mixed. Add in the reserved wine sauce and whisk again. Remove from heat and set aside.
  13. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool completely before removing them from the springform pans. Place one cake on a cake platter or stand, and drizzle some chocolate ganache on top. Then place the second cake on top of the first and pour the remaining chocolate ganache over the top.

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Recipe by Sarah Anderson

This post has been updated.

The beauty aisle at Trader Joe's is not one I typically ever stop by, but as of late, the internet has totally convinced me to start shopping for Trader Joe’s beauty products. I was scouring the Trader Joe’s subreddit (as I love to do) and landed on a thread that was all about the grocer’s best beauty picks.

If you didn’t know by now, TJ’s sells everything from serums to hair care! Plus, oftentimes, they’re significantly cheaper than high-end name brands – for around the same formulas and quality.

Below, find 10 of the best Trader Joe’s beauty products recommended by die-hard shoppers!

Trader Joe's

1. Retinol Night Serum

Retinol can be a bit daunting when it comes to skincare, especially if you're a first-time user. This TJ's formula only contains 0.3% retinol, so it's fairly gentle. One expert Redditor swears by this $10 bottle:

“After working in a dermatology office, I swear by their retinol serum," they wrote. "It’s very similar to the $70 0.3% serum we sold. Also their triple antioxidant serum looks exactly like the one we sold for over $100. Luxury really is an illusion.”

Trader Joe's

2. Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer

Trader Joe's tapped their "favorite" high-end skincare producer to create this $9 pot of gel moisturizer. It's "packed" with aloe leaf juice as well as green tea, birch leaf, and milk thistle extracts to help soothe the skin, while "holy grail" ingredients like sodium hyaluronate help to truly lock in moisture.

Several Redditors compared this affordable TJ's formula to expensive alternatives like the Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Moisturizer ($58) and the Biossance Balancing Gel Moisturizer ($54). 👀

Trader Joe's

3. Daily Facial Sunscreen

This SPF got endless praise on Reddit. Its formula is far from "thick" and "sticky" – that is, according to Trader Joe's. It's translucent, oil-free, fragrance-free (sensitive skin-havers rejoice!), absorbs quickly, and leaves a silky matte finish. Oh, and it's only $9. Sounds perfect, right? Here's what shoppers have to say:

"I love it and I have gone two very hot summers without getting a sunburn!” one person said.

“A lot of sunscreen leaves a weird white cast on my (darker) skin but this one is perfect,” another noted.

“I've been using this for like a decade," one more user wrote. "The SPF 15 isn't enough if I'm going to be in the sun all day, but for office days it's perfect. I have sensitive skin and it doesn't break me out.”

Amazon

4. 100% Pure Jojoba Oil

Someone noted that this jojoba oil "takes off waterproof mascara like nobody's business.” I love to hear it!

Trader Joe's jojoba oil is super versatile, too. You can easily use it as both a cleanser and moisturizer: cleanse clogged pores, remove makeup, and moisturize your hair and scalp with just a few drops! Since a little goes a long way, I'd say $15 a bottle is well worth it.

Trader Joe's

5. Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream

Trader Joe's Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream is notorious for being a dupe of L’Occitane's Shea Butter Hand Cream. One Redditor noted that it easily compares in terms of the formula: TJ's version also boasts 20% pure shea butter and coconut oil to nourish dry skin. They also highlighted the fact that "the scent for the basic versions is identical.”

While L’Occitane's hand cream costs $30, TJ's tube is only $5. A steal!

“The hand cream is so good!" another user said. "I have a tube in my car, in my bag, at my office, etc.”

Trader Joe's

6. Supreme Hydrating Eye Cream

Trader Joe's sells eye cream?! Okay, now I need to go. TJ's notes that this $6 tube contains many "sought-after" ingredients like hydrolyzed marine collagen, coenzyme Q10, Manuka honey, hibiscus extract, and almond, argan, rosehip, and marula seed oils to soften and soothe the under eye area. It's also supposed to be extra-rich and creamy without weighing your skin down!

A couple Redditors couldn't say enough good things about it:

“I can’t praise the eye cream enough. It’s very moisturizing and does a fantastic job keeping my eye area hydrated in the dry air," one person said. "I’m 35 and I have very little wrinkles, I use it twice a day. I’ve used very high end eye creams before and while yes they were nice, I feel like TJ’s one does the job for me at this age.”

“My skin is so dry that my eyelids get flaky often, this helps more than anything else by far," another commented. "Sometimes I use it on my whole face when it’s really sensitive.”

Trader Joe's

7. Cleansing + Conditioning Hair Wash

“The Cleansing + Conditioning Hair Wash is the GOAT for my hair!" one Reddit user wrote. "I used to buy expensive cleansing conditioners and the TJ’s one is honestly way better (at least for my hair!)... it makes my hair super soft and healthy feeling but I don’t get super greasy!”

This $5 product replaces the need for a two-step hair care routine (AKA shampoo and conditioner) by combining both of 'em. It's made without detergents, sulfates, parabens, or silicones, so your hair's natural oils and moisture are not lost. It's essentially a co-wash, which can help you cut down on how often you need to wash your hair, all while hydrating dry strands and taming frizz!

Trader Joe's

8. Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum

I am a ride-or-die fan of The Ordinary's hyaluronic acid serum – it always adds that extra boost of hydration to my dry winter skin and never irritates it, either. Based on Trader Joe's shopper's recommendations, I'm gonna have to try their similar $9 serum out ASAP.

One shopper said it's "light and hydrating. I have dry skin and it really makes a difference.”

Another user shared that they "use it every morning and night after [they've] washed [their] face.”

TJ's says this formula is water-based, unscented, never tested on animals, and non-comedogenic. In addition to moisturizing hyaluronic acid, it includes 1% sodium hyaluronate, which can penetrate the skin even deeper to provide much-needed moisture.

Trader Joe's

9. Brazil Nut Body Butter

Fan of the Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream's scent and nourishing effect, but not the nearly-$50 price tag? Trader Joe's famed Brazil Nut Body Butter seems to measure up pretty well for a mere fraction of the price. The tub of body butter itself is typically a seasonal item, but you can still snag it now in this delicious-smelling body care trio for $13.

TJ's fans are nuts for this product (pun fully intended):

“Brazil Nut body butter is one of the best body lotions I’ve ever used,” someone said.

“Brazil nut body wash and butter body are amazing!" one person wrote. "I bought like 4 tubs of the body butter.”

“Yes. It smells amazing and the texture is fantastic,” another user agreed.

“I still have two full tubs in my stash to hold me over until whenever the next seasonal body butter is available :),” one more Redditor shared. Yep, I'm grabbin' this one ASAP.

Trader Joe's

10. Marula Facial Oil

Marula oil offers insane hydration to dry skin. It also has antioxidant properties that can help even out your skin's tone and texture! While brands like Credo Beauty and Drunk Elephant sell similar marula oil formulas for $55+, TJ's version goes for $7 a pop.

The grocer says it's "light-textured and not greasy," which can definitely be hard to find in a skincare oil.

“The $7 marula oil is SO AMAZING I will never buy the Drunk Elephant stuff again even though I love that brand," one user offered.

“Recently started using the marula oil after using my (non TJ, don't love theirs) retinol and I feel like it has been a huge game changer and has given me a great glow," another person said.

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more amazing Trader Joe's products!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Anyone else load up on all the carbs this holiday season? While the season calls for indulging in the best way, I never feel my best after days of consuming heavy carbs and refined sugars like lasagna, mac & cheese, holiday cookies and cakes. Now that the holiday season is fading away, now is the perfect time to make this ridiculously easy gut-healing bone broth soup recipe. This brothy soup is packed with nutrients: bone broth is rich in collagen, minerals, and amino acids that support gut lining repair; vegetables are packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants for overall health; garlic is a natural prebiotic to feed healthy gut bacteria; and spinach is high in magnesium and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Make this nutritious and versatile soup as part of your 2025 wellness routine and nourish your body.

Here are delicious ideas for elevating this simple bone broth soup too!

Shutterstock

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups bone broth (chicken or beef)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets
  • 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil (for sautéing)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Leftover rotisserie chicken, optional

Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash

Optional Add-Ins:

  • Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for garnish
  • A squeeze of lemon juice for added brightness
  • A pinch of turmeric for anti-inflammatory benefits
  • Peeled and chopped sweet potatoes for more fiber, which can help promote healthy gut bacteria
  • Swap organic kale or chard for spinach leaves if preferred

Shutterstock

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, heat avocado oil over medium heat (optional). Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and softened (about 2-3 minutes).
  2. Add the sliced carrots, cauliflower florets, and celery to the pot. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the cauliflower to lightly soften and release its flavor.
  3. Pour in the bone broth, add the diced cucumber, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and flavors to meld.
  4. Stir in the fresh spinach leaves during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking so that they wilt but remain vibrant.
  5. Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs.

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Neighbors are funny. I'll occasionally have a quick chit-chat with mine as we cross paths by our mailboxes, and our conversations always seem to revolve around the same three topics: the weather, upcoming vacations, and home upgrades. My latest landscaping project got a few nods of approval — even from my least neighborly neighbors. The tree encroaching on their solar panel? Not so much. But hey, they notice, and there’s something undeniably satisfying about earning that neighborly thumbs up.

Here are 25 budget-friendly home upgrades that will impress your neighbors!

Etsy

Update Your House Numbers

This is such a simple fix that delivers a big impact. Update your house numbers to something a bit more modern, like these Etsy House Numbers, and you'll feel an instant refresh to your exterior.

Shutterstock

Give Some Landscaping Love

You can start small here, add a tree, a shrub, some grasses, but adding greenery that matures over time will enhancing your yard’s overall aesthetic and the value of your home. Take cues from your lifestyle too. Sod might be the ideal choice for running, playing, and family fun. Live in a dry climate? Opt for drought-tolerant plants and decorative rocks to create a low-maintenance, water-efficient landscape.

Shutterstock

Paint Your Door

A fresh coat of bold or classic color on your front door can instantly enhance its curb appeal, and surprise your neighbors in a good way.

Shutterstock

Add Outdoor String Lights

These are pretty affordable and so charming in trees and on fences, creating a cozy vibe for your outdoor space.

Wayfair

Install Window Boxes

This has been on my home bucket list since traveling around Charleston, S.C. I love a good flower box display, whether it's colorful perennials or varying shades of greenery. Check out these affordable Wayfair Planter Boxes.

West Elm

Replace or Paint Your Mailbox

A rusty old mailbox is not giving guests the best first impression. A sleek new mailbox, like this West Elm Mailbox, or a fresh coat of paint can make a big difference.

Shutterstock

Update Light Fixtures

Swap out dated porch lights and install solar pathway lights for a fresh look and more inviting space.

Arian Fernandez

Install Shutters

There's something so classic and European about shutters. Affordable, decorative ones can add charm and dimension to your windows.

Shutterstock

Pressure Wash Your Exterior

Have you spotted those IG videos of people pressure washing their homes? So mesmerizing! Wash off those cobwebs and layers of grime with an Electric Pressure Washer. A clean driveway, siding, or patio can make your home look like new.

Solo Stove

Add a Fire Pit

Build a simple and stylish fire pit with pavers or bricks or shop for one like this modern wood-burning fire pit from All Modern or this option from Solo Stove for a cozy gathering spot.

Shutterstock

Build a Garden Path

Use gravel, stepping stones, or wood chips to create an elegant walkway to your home.

Studio McGee

Hang A Wreath

It doesn't need to be December for you to hang a natural wreath on your door. A seasonal or year-round wreath, like this one from Studio McGee, adds warmth to your home’s entryway.

Eartheasy

DIY Raised Garden Beds

Build a raised garden bed for under $50 with our guide or shop for these lovely cedar ones on Eartheasy. Come spring you'll have plenty of space to plant vegetables and herbs and flowers.

Wayfair

Add A Bird Bath

A bird bath, like this Wayfair Pedestal Birdbath from Kelly Clarkson Home, is a great way to support your local wildlife and pretty up your front yard.

Shutterstock

Paint or Stain Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture gets weathered throughout the year if not protected. Before spring comes, spruce up your outdoor furniture with paint, or a sand and wood stain to give your front yard a polished look.

Shutterstock

Paint or Stain Your Fence

Refreshing an old fence with a new coat of paint or stain will absolutely get neighbors talking.

Amazon

Upgrade Your Door Hardware

Is your door handle looking a bit dated or worn? Replace old doorknobs, locks, or handles with more stylish and modern options, like this Entry Door Handle.

Shutterstock

Add Planters To Your Porch

Planters welcome your guests and frame your porch in an inviting way. Find plants you love and make a great first impression with beautiful planters.

Evelyn Paris

Paint or Tile Your Stair Risers

Paint your stair risers in a fun contrasting or complementary color to your home, or if you want to invest a little more time and money add a decorative tile. I did this with a tile inspired by my trip to Portugal and get compliments all the time! You can also find peel-and-stick floor tile for outside porches.

Wayfair

Add Front Porch Seating

Classic Adirondacks, modern rocking chairs like these Wayfair Rocking Chairs, and swing chairs can make your yard more inviting and useful. I had a total mom win when I saw my daughter reading outside in our new Adirondack chairs.

Shutterstock

Add a Trellis

This doesn't have to be major, but a small trellis around your door can make a big impact come spring when the flowers bloom.

Shutterstock

Wash Your Windows

This is a low-cost way to make your home literally shine.

Wayfair

Hide Trash Bins

Hide any eyesores like trash bins and HVAC units with a privacy screen with a planter for flowers and vines.

Shutterstock

Add New Mulch

Clear any weeds and refresh your mulch to instantly tidy up garden beds.

Etsy

Decorate For the Seasons

Making your entryway festive for the seasons can bring joy and cheer to your neighborhood all year long. This Etsy Doormat is so cute for Valentine's Day!

Check out our online newsletter for more home decor inspo!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

My best friend and I recently had a 3-hour conversation about navigating love in our 30s, coming to the conclusion that our prior breakups helped us become clearer about what we want in love. After we said our good-byes, I started thinking about questions worth asking yourself when you're single.

Unlike some people who tell you not to worry about love when you're not coupled up, I think it actually does help to have an idea about the kind of person and relationship that'll fit in your life when the time comes. I wish it wish it were this easy, but the perfect situation isn't going to fall into your lap — because it doesn't exist. Even now, I'm still learning about myself and my fiancé as we experience life together.

So are you single and trying to understand what you actually want out of your love life? Here are some questions you should ask yourself!

Here are the questions to ask yourself while you're in your single era!

Ivan Samkov

1. Start with questions that focus on you

Either you agree with clichés or you don't. As annoying as they can be, hearing someone tell you to get to know yourself while you're single shouldn't be. It only gets sticky when people tell you that you'll never find love while on your self-care journey. We can agree to disagree with that.
So, what kind of questions should you be asking yourself to get to know your inner workings better?
  • Who do I think I am?
  • What are my favorite qualities about myself?
  • Do I have any habits I want to change?
  • Would I date myself if I were a different person?
  • How do I pour love into myself?

George Milton

2. More questions to ask yourself about who you are

Other questions you can ask yourself can have something to do with your morals or boundaries. It's a way for you to understand areas of your life that you may not always think about everyday.

  • What do I value in life?
  • What kind of boundaries have I set (or need to put in place)?
  • Do I spend a lot of time focused on other people?
  • Do I have religious beliefs?

Vlada Karpovich

3. Think about if you want to be single or in a serious relationship

Once you have a better understanding of who you are, think about the kind of romantic love you'd like to have in your life. There's a chance you're not even interested in a serious monogamous relationship right now and that's okay. The point is to get clear about what you do want.

Start asking:

  • Am I okay with being single or do I feel pressured to settle down?
  • Do I care more about dating several people or choosing one person to romantically connect with?
  • Is there a reason I wouldn't want a long-term relationship?
  • Is it hard to be vulnerable whether I'm looking for something short-term or long-term?

Yan Krukau

4. Revisit past flings and relationships

Though tempting, this isn't a confirmation that you should call the ex you've been thinking about. Rather, take the time to revisit what you think did or didn't work.

  • What brought me joy about prior flings or relationships?
  • Was there mutual respect between myself and former romantic partners?
  • Did I or former partners feel possessive of each other?
  • Did I ever feel afraid for my safety in prior relationships?

Gustavo Fring

5. Allow yourself to be curious about the kind of partner you're attracted to

I'm not asking you to 'listen and judge' yourself for who you're typically attracted to. We all have our reasons why certain people make our hearts race even if said people aren't the greatest for us in the long run. This is the time to be curious about who you're drawn to and why.

  • Am I drawn to people's physical appearance first or their personality?
  • What kind of qualities am I attracted to overall?
  • Have I ever ignored red flags because I thought someone was attractive?

Anna Pou

6. Think about the kind of long-term relationship you'd like to have

Ready for something serious? There's still some questions you should ask yourself before jumping into something new.

  • Am I capable of trusting someone new?
  • How do I want to feel in a new romantic relationship?
  • What are my goals if I decide to pursue a long-term relationship?
  • How would I like to handle potential disagreements in my new relationships?
  • What are my dealbreakers?

These questions may seem like a lot, but it's a way to help you understand how you want your love like to look. Also, there's a possibility you could encounter scenarios that may not fit under these questions because life can be full of surprises. All that matters is you're able to have a better understanding of who you are and what you want in 2025.

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