Julie Clark
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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.
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:
- Butter and brown sugar. Just try it. Trust me.
- Raspberry sauce
- Strawberry topping
- A drizzle of warm peanut butter
- Hazelnut spread
- Fresh berries
- Powdered sugar glaze
- Whipped cream and sprinkles
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.
Cake Mix Pancakes
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
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.
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
I have a question. We are allowed to use any flavor?
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.
I made this recipe in a pinch for our schools fundraiser. BUT I used Gluten Free cake mix… BRILLIANT! And I made it dairy free (almond milk) as well. Thank you so much! Our allergy free student was treated like a queen! Her pancakes were better than the rest!
Giving it 5stars since it seems everyone loved it… This is EXACTLY what I needed to make my husbands birthday morning special, so the family isn’t let down by him wanting to be alone all day!! PERFECT!! THANK YOU!!
Was looking for a simple, fun, no knives required idea for my after school group. This is excellent. Thank you. They will need to read and follow directions, measure, etc. Reward built right in. Love it!
Recipe is awesome they don’t need anything on them. We freeze for quick breakfast.
I love this recipe! How about waffles, would you reccomend this same recipe?
Fun and yummy! Because cake mix sizes vary just a bit, use the amounts of other ingredients as listed. Start with the 2C of milk and add more milk if needed. It will all work out. We are talking about pancake batter here, not astrophysics!
This looks like a great recipe.However, every box cake recipe I see doesn’t mention the oz the cake mix used. Cake mixes come in a few different oz which makes a difference in the amount of ingredients used. Which did you use pls?
Thanks so much 😉
Followed your recipe for the fluffier pancakes (less milk), and my wife said that these Halloween Funfetti pancakes are the best pancakes that she has ever had and she never wants regular pancakes again. My local Aldi is selling off their post-Halloween inventory for $0.69 per box—time to stock up hah!
What can i use instead of eggs?
This looks great. Can i make thiswithout a mixer?
I was wondering if you could use apple sauce to replace the oil?
I used a strawberry cake mix for Valentine’s day! Absolutely delish!
Have you ever tried putting these in a waffle iron? I’m imagining serving them with ice cream ????
These are so unbelievably good! I made them with a devil’s food cake mix and put a dollop of my homemade whipped cream cheese/ buttercream frosting on top….Oh my goodness!! I think they would be adorable made with a funfetti cake for a breakfast birthday party!