Copycat Pancake Bread
Just like the one from Trader Joe's!

If you’ve ever wandered through the bakery section at Trader Joe’s and spotted their famous Pancake Bread, you know just how tempting that maple-scented loaf can be. It tastes just like a stack of pancakes fresh off the griddle, complete with warm maple flavor and a buttery crumb topping. The good news is you don’t have to wait for a trip to the store to enjoy it — this homemade version brings all those cozy breakfast flavors right into your own kitchen.


What makes this loaf so special is the way it captures the taste of pancakes in bread form. A little malted milk powder gives the batter that classic pancake flavor, while buttermilk keeps the loaf tender and moist. Maple syrup adds just the right amount of sweetness, and together with vanilla it creates that comforting aroma that fills the kitchen while it bakes.

The crumb topping is another reason this bread is hard to resist. A simple mix of flour, sugars, cinnamon, and butter forms a sweet, buttery crumble that bakes into a lightly crisp topping. As the loaf rises in the oven, the crumble settles into the top just enough to create a delicious contrast between the soft bread and the sweet, slightly crunchy layer above it.



Once baked and cooled, this Pancake Bread slices beautifully and is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat with coffee. It’s sweet enough to enjoy on its own, but if you really want to lean into the pancake inspiration, a tiny drizzle of maple syrup on a warm slice is never a bad idea. Either way, it’s an easy bake that brings a little bakery-style treat straight to your kitchen.


Copycat Pancake Bread
Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup malted milk powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and thoroughly grease a 9x5-inch bread pan.
- Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix in butter until crumbles form, then set aside.
- In a small bowl, sift together flour, malt powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, add butter and sugar, beat until light and airy. Mix in eggs, buttermilk, syrup, and vanilla until well combined.
- Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.
- Transfer batter to the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle crumble on top.
- Bake for 60-70 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow loaf to cool before slicing.
Recipe adapted from Tablefortwoblog.com