Heart-Shaped Pancakes with Chocolate

1 . Stage

Whisk melted butter and egg yolk together in a small bowl.

2 . Stage

Sift flour and baking powder into a large bowl; stir in sugar. Whisk in egg-butter mixture and 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk until a smooth, thick batter forms. Add more buttermilk, 1 tablespoon at a time, if batter is too thick.

3 . Stage

Melt 1 teaspoon butter in a nonstick skillet over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and use a ladle to spoon 1/8 of the batter onto the hot skillet; fit as many pancakes on the skillet as possible without overcrowding. Cook until bubbles form and the edges are dry, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook until browned on the other side, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a warm plate. Repeat with remaining batter.

4 . Stage

Use a large, heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut a heart in the center of each pancake. Discard scraps.

5 . Stage

Place a few chocolate pieces on top of a warm pancake and sandwich another pancake on top. Repeat with remaining pancakes and chocolate.

6 . Stage

Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and serve.