Cake Mix Pancakes

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Transform any boxed cake mix into delightful, fluffy Cake Mix pancakes. The perfect combination of cake batter and morning pancakes.

Tired of the same old breakfast options every morning? Introducing a game-changer: Cake Mix Pancakes. This breakfast recipe takes your favorite boxed cake mix and transforms it into fluffy, irresistible pancakes.

Whether you’re a chocolate lover, a fan of funfetti, or crave red velvet, this versatile recipe allows you to experiment with a variety of flavors. Perfect for Saturday morning, weekend brunches, birthday breakfasts, or just a regular Tuesday morning, our Cake Mix Pancakes will soon become a staple in your breakfast rotation.

cake-mix-pancakes

What readers are saying:

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Reader Paolo says, “I tried this recipe to basically use up a box of cake mix. They were a hit! I substituted almond milk for regular milk and the pancakes still turned out perfect.”

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Reader Chef Brendan says, “I made lemon blueberry with lemon cake mix and fresh blueberries 🤤🤤🤤 no syrup needed.”

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Reader Darnisha says, “My kids wanted confetti pancakes but I was out of sprinkles but I had confetti cake mix and came across this recipe. Pancakes came out warm and fluffy. I tried one right off the griddle for a taste test and it tasted like a warm cupcake. Will definitely repeat this recipe in the future.”

Why cake mix pancakes?

Pancakes made from cake mix aren’t just another trend. Here’s why they are a classic:

  • Experiment with flavors: Ever thought about having a lemony breakfast or a carrot-flavored start to your day? By making pancakes with cake mix, every box of cake mix offers a new breakfast adventure.
  • Budget-friendly breakfast: Have a box of cake mix sitting in your pantry that needs used? Transform it into cake pancakes.
  • Kids love them: Getting children to the breakfast table won’t be a chore anymore. With this pancake recipe, you offer them a breakfast that’s not just delicious but also fun to make and eat, especially when topped with colorful toppings or paired with their favorite syrup.

Choosing the Right Cake Mix Flavor

Here are some ideas to kick start your thinking. Choose the category you are interested in, then pick a flavor to begin.

  • Classic Choices: Chocolate, vanilla, red velvet or yellow cake mix.
  • Fun Flavors: Funfetti cake mix, which introduces colorful sprinkles into every bite. Carrot Cake for a hint of spice, or lemon cake mix for summer on a plate.
  • Unique suggestions: Butter pecan or cherry chip make some of the best pancakes. 😋

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Pancake:

Making pancakes is easy, but here’s how you can perfect them:

  • Do Not Over Mix: When you mix the ingredients together, mix just until combined. This will keep your pancake texture soft and fluffy.
  • Consistency Matters: Your batter shouldn’t be too thick or too runny. If it’s spreading too much on the griddle, add a little flour. If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk. Work to find the consistency you like in a pancake.
  • Griddle vs. Pan: An electric griddle provides more space, allowing you to cook multiple pancakes simultaneously. It also heats more evenly, preventing burning. If you don’t have an electric griddle, try a cast iron skillet on the stovetop with butter or oil.
  • Temperature Control: Maintain a consistent medium-high heat. If the pancakes are browning too quickly, turn the heat down a bit. Remember, patience is key for that golden-brown perfection.

Pancake Toppings

100% pure maple syrup is a classic pancake topping, but with cake mix pancakes, you might want something different:

For the Holidays:

Red velvet cake mix makes an impressive stack of pancakes for Valentines Day, July 4th or Christmas.

Chocolate cake mix with an orange glaze or frosting and chocolate chips on top is spooky for Halloween.

Cherry chip cake mix will make your mom smile on Mother’s Day.

Storage Instructions

Pancakes taste best when fresh, but they can be enjoyed later too:

  • Storing Leftovers: Stack pancakes with parchment paper or wax paper in between each, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • Freeze Leftovers: For longer storage, consider freezing them in a single layer before transferring to a zip-top bag.
stack of red velvet pancakes with blueberries
stack of red velvet pancakes with blueberries

Cake Mix Pancakes

4.68 from 123 votes
Cake for breakfast?! You bet! These quick, 5-ingredient cake mix pancakes are a festive and easy way to make pancakes. Choose any flavor cake mix you’d like!
Servings 18
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

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Ingredients
 

  • 1 box cake mix choose your favorite flavor, 15.25 ounces
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 65 grams
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups milk *
  • 1/4 cup canola oil or vegetable oil

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, use a whisk to stir together the cake mix, flour, eggs, milk and oil together just until combined. Do not over mix.
  • Heat a griddle to medium heat and spray with cooking spray (or grease with butter or oil) so the pancakes flip easily.
  • Scoop a ladle of pancake batter onto the hot griddle and cook until the top of the batter starts to bubble. (2-3 minutes, but watch them clsoely).
  • Flip the pancake and cook for another minute on the other side until cooked all the way through.
  • Continue until all of the batter is used. Serve with butter and syrup or your favorite toppings.

Video

Notes

  • Use less milk if you’d like a thicker pancake.
  • The exact number of pancakes will depend on how much milk you use and how big you make the pancakes.
  • There’s no need to add leavening such as salt, baking powder or baking soda since the cake mix already has those ingredients.
Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
The calories shown are based on the recipe making 18 pancakes, with 1 serving being 1 pancake. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**

Nutrition

Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 222mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 63IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 1mg
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Calories 171
Keyword breakfast ideas, cake batter pancakes, cake mix pancakes
About JulieJulie Clark

About Julie Clark

I'm Julie Clark, CEO and recipe developer of Tastes of Lizzy T. With my B.A. in Education and over 30 years of cooking and baking, I want to teach YOU the best of our family recipes.

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Sjs
1 year ago

4 stars
I used funfetti cake mix and I tried it as pancakes but they would burn before cooking through all the way even at a low heat. Maybe I didn’t add enough flour, idk. So I pulled out my waffle maker and made them as waffles and they came out perfect and tasted amazing.

Tiff
10 years ago

I wasn’t sure if flour was needed, bc at the top of the page, listed in a paragraph I’m assuming Lizzy wrote, it didn’t say to use flour. But at the bottom of the page when summarizing again, what would be needed to make the cake pancakes, it listed flour. So I’m not sure. lol : \ I’m assuming the flour is needed, and maybe they jus forgot to list it at the top of the page. Could someone please write me back and let me know. Better to be safe than sorry. 😀 Ty sooo much!

Chef Brendan
8 months ago

5 stars
I made lemon blueberry with lemon cake mix and fresh blueberries 🤤🤤🤤 no syrup needed

Emma
2 years ago

5 stars
Delicious! We used Arrowmills gf confetti cake mix + two beaten eggs + 1.5c of sweetened oatmilk + 1/4c olive oil + extra sprinkles + heaping 1/3c walmart beand gf ap flour mix. Cooked on medium 3 min, flip 1 min= best pancakes I have ever had! I think more than a recipe you are supposed to try verbatim, you provided a way of thinking about how to convert from cake mix to pancakes, and that’s most helpful if someone is already well versed in baking. Thank you for sharing! Keeping this one!

Paolo Mongon
3 years ago

5 stars
I tried this recipe to basically use up a box of cake mix. They were a hit!

I substituted almond milk for regular milk and the pancakes still turned out perfect.

Elisha
4 years ago

5 stars
Recipe is awesome they don’t need anything on them. We freeze for quick breakfast.

William D
6 years ago

These are a hit with my family. We have tried them with several different types of cake mix’s from butter recipe, chocolate, yellow, and from name brands to store brand. We use a 1/4 less milk unless chocolate mixes then you might take the extra 1/4 cup as they turn out a little thicker with less milk. One person mentioned theirs were like plastic or elastic – Don’t over beat them or they can. Make sure your griddle or pan is hot enough and not cook to slow. Make them rise quick, but not to hot to burn them. They… Read more »

Alandra Rachelle Love
2 years ago

5 stars
Yummmmm I made these with lemon cake mix this morning,, I’ll try You’re recipe Next time….adding the flour you recommended, thanks. They Are So Delicious!!!!

ko_o
8 years ago

3 stars
Not a huge fan of this recipe. The pancakes had more of plastic/elastic texture than I expected. They did taste like Red Velvet cake, but a bit less sweet.

Tiff
10 years ago

Awll. Thank you so much Lizzy for replying. I actually forgot that I wrote a question on here. I just popped back on this site to go Ahead and finally try to make those pancakes now, when I was pleasantly surprised to see that you wrote me back the next day so soon. Lol 😀 Even though I hardly ever go on websites are ask any questions or leave comments, the few times I have, people don’t usually reply back, because By the time I end up finding their website, It’ll be like a year or at least months later… Read more »

Pjb
1 year ago

Could you use malted pancake mix (not complete) instead of flour?

Rach
1 year ago

4 stars
The original recipe calls for way too much milk. The batter was super runny and did not hold any form, so I add an other package of cake mix. This made the fluffy type you see in the picture. To be sure they didn’t burn, I turned my stove setting to the area about half way between medium and low. They turned out perfect this way, but you have to use a lot of care when flipping them because they fall apart easily.

Darnisha
2 years ago

5 stars
My kids wanted confetti pancakes but I was out of sprinkles but I had confetti cake mix and came across this recipe. Pancakes came out warm and fluffy. I tried one right off the griddle for a taste test and it tasted like a warm cupcake. Will definitely repeat this recipe in the future

Sofia Garica
2 years ago

5 stars
I did not know what oil to use for the pancakes so I used vegetable oil and it turn to be good. So I am going make this for Sunday’s breakfast.

Ella
3 years ago

5 stars
These are very delicious and a nice take on pancakes. But they are really no easier to make than pancake batter from scratch. The selling point here is the flavor combo’s you get by just switching up the flavor of cake mix you use. Very clever and very delicious!!