Start your birthday off right with these Funfetti-style Birthday Cake Pancakes. Made with yellow cake mix and colorful sprinkles, these pancakes taste like birthday cake!
After today, I have no doubt that you now want to be my real-life friend or relative, because I plan on making these pancakes for anyone who is at my house the morning of their birthday. For reals. Honestly, though, they are so good that I know I won't wait to make them only for birthdays. They will definitely grace our breakfast table to impress any visitor, or for a normal Gladd family brunch.
Confession: I've made them twice in one week already. And, there are more in my freezer, ready for a quick nuke in the microwave.
Another confession: I totally sliced mine like cake.
Use Boxed Cake Mix for Pancakes
These are made with a decadent base of buttermilk pancake batter, blended with yellow cake mix then, of course, some sprinkles thrown in. So much fun! They turn out fluffy with each bite showcasing a vibrant display of sprinkles!
You can use homemade yellow cake mix, or boxed cake mix. It's up to you! I used to use my favorite homemade mix, but lately it's all about convenience so boxed mix it is!
Pancakes that Taste Like Cake
These pancakes really do taste like birthday cake! So this is a great way to have your cake in the morning! 😉 It is such a treat for my kids, and Ben always enjoys having them on his birthday, too. Shucks, I love it on MINE even though I'm the one making them!
Please come over on your birthday so I can make some for you!
Birthday Cake Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup yellow cake mix (homemade or the box kind)
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- ½ cup milk
- 2 Tablespoons butter , melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup (1.75 oz bottle) sprinkles
For the icing (optional):
- Whipping cream
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Heat a griddle or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the flour, cake mix, sugar, baking powder, soda and salt; set aside.
- In a separate medium bowl, lightly beat the eggs with a whisk. Add the milks, butter and vanilla and whisk to combine. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until fully mixed. Fold in the sprinkles.
- Scoop portions of a scant ⅓ cup batter onto the griddle, leaving room for the batter to spread into larger rounds. When the pancakes begin to bubble, flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover with a kitchen towel to keep warm until serving. Serve with syrup or optional icing.
Optional Icing:
- Mix together powdered sugar and whipping cream to reach desired consistency and taste. Pour over top individual stack of pancakes.
To Freeze:
- Allow the pancakes to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave for about 30 seconds, or until hot.
- Source: Adapted from My Life As a Mrs
Anonymous says
The best!
Nikki Gladd says
Thank you! 🙂
Nancy says
Why not just use Birthday Cake cake mix?
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Nancy,
Are you asking if you can use 1 cup of Birthday Cake mix in the recipe to substitute the 1 cup of yellow cake mix? You can definitely try it! Birthday cake mix is not as readily available as simple yellow cake mix, so this recipe calls for yellow cake mix, but variations can be tried! 🙂
Sharonann says
I have to try these! Where did you get the wooden utinsils ?
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Sharonann - I actually think they may have been from Sprinkles Cupcake Shop a long time ago!
Lyse blansche says
Do you freeze the whole pile of pancakes in one pile or do you freeze the pancakes one by one
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Lyse,
I let them cool to room temperature and then put them in a freezer bag together (stacked on top of one another). Sometimes they can stick if you don't wait for them to cool completely. To ensure they don't stick together, you can freeze them in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet for 20 minutes before placing them together in the freezer bag. 🙂
Sara K. says
I make these for all my 3 girls on their birthday. They are AMAZING! Come out perfect every time. So glad I found this recipe
toots7991 says
Sounds delish I plan on making them
Linda Morgan says
My 5 year old grandson will love these! I just have one question. For the icing, it's just whipping cream and powdered sugar, mixed until the right consistency. Do I whip the cream and gradually add in the powdered sugar? Or do I add unwhipped cream to the powered sugar to make it more of a glaze? This sounds so good. I might either make the pancakes without sprinkles and let him sprinkle them on top of his, or make mine plain and then mix in the sprinkles.
Nikki Gladd says
It's more of a glaze, but you can whip it into whipped cream if you want! 🙂
Jennifer says
These have become my 3 boys most favorite tradition by far! I've tried other recipes and we can tell instantly they dont taste as fabulous as yours. Thank you!
Nikki Gladd says
Awww! I love it, Jennifer! Thank you for sharing!!
Carrie Lorentz says
Awesome recipe and pic! I think you should be getting credit for it ithad been shared over 49,000 times on Facebook by a radio station https://www.facebook.com/KBLX1029/photos/a.10150947972247053.487078.324551382052/10152564572202053/?type=1&theater
Nikki Gladd says
Oh wow! They typed the entire recipe, too, and no credit! Thanks for letting me know, Carrie!
Rhonda says
These have become a birthday tradition at our house! I pulled up the recipe to make them for my son's 8th birthday tomorrow. So fun and so yummy!
Nikki Gladd says
Thanks, Rhonda! Happy birthday to your son!!
Anna says
Hi. I just want to thank you for posting this recipe! We have made these pancakes for our daughter's past 3 birthdays. We love the tradition! And now we have an almost-1 year old (our girls are 6 years and 5 days apart), so I can save the second half of the batch and have them for her birthday, too! Thanks so much.
Nikki Gladd says
Love it! Thanks, Anna!
Kate says
One word - delicious!
Chay says
Hi! These look awesome! Do you make your own whipping cream or do you buy it? Can you use heavy whipping cream?
Nikki says
Hi Chay, I buy it and you can use heavy. 🙂
Jenna says
I told my mom she had to make these for me on my birthday. Which is Sunday! Soooo yay! 😀
lylah says
Love this idea!
Jennifer says
My aunt's birthday is today and my birthday is in exactly 1 week, do u think u could make me and her these?
Nikki says
haha! Well, I could, but by the time you receive them in the mail they might not taste as good. 😉 I do know you can make them, though! Easy peasy! 🙂
Nikki says
My sons birthday is next week. I'll definitely be making these for him!
Melanie says
I'm making this tomorrow morning using "yellow cake box mix" do I need to blend it with pancake mix at all? I don't see a mention for it. Do I need to use a beater? Thanks! I'm excited to see how it turns out.
Nikki says
Hi Melanie,
No, this is a homemade pancake recipe, so you do not mix it with a pancake mix. 🙂 Just follow the directions as listed, using 1 cup of your yellow cake box mix. No, do not use a beater for this...just a whisk as directed. 🙂 Enjoy!
Mellybrown says
Just have to tell you -- we have given up trying to think of a birthday to celebrate so that we can have these pancakes and now just refer to them as "Saturday Pancakes." 🙂 They are so, so good. No Saturday (or birthday) is complete without them!
Nikki says
ha! I love it!
Carol says
I am so going to make these for my Granddaughter's 1st Birthday on the 19th....BUT 1st I will try them with my class trying them as Karen suggested with Funfetti cake mix and pancake batter.....
Karen says
Just wondering if you could use Funfetti cake mix and Bisquick and eliminate all the other ingredients?
Nikki says
Hi Karen, I have no idea as I've never tried the combination. Sorry!
Kaycee says
My Mom made these for me for my birthday and they were A-MAZ-ING!
Rachel says
I made these B-day pancakes for my babes birthday B-fest. It was a HIT!! yummy. I was happy how easy it was.
Julie says
OMG! These were fabulous and fun!
Bobbi says
What is the portion amount for whip cream and powdered sugar?
Nikki says
Hi Bobbi,
I don't do measurements and just go by taste. Very little whipping cream compared to the sugar, though.
Grandma Kc says
Stopped by from Mrs. Tucker's website -- can't wait to try these! My 8 year old Granddaughter and I make colored pancakes often and she is just going to love this! Thanks!
https://amaraland.com/memories/2012/postponing-new-years-eve/
Tara says
I am making these for my daughter tomorrow morning for her 20th birthday!!
Anonymous says
Se ven deliciosos...creo que se les puede poner de lustre dulce de leche...gracias! Por la idea.
Lauren says
I made these this morning and they turned out delicious, but I'm a bit confused about the 2 Tbs of butter. When I mixed the wet ingredients it says mix milk butter and vanilla but I didn't no if it was the buttermilk that I add or the actual butter? Or if the actual butter was just for the griddle. Please help! I need to no
Nikki says
Hi Lauren,
The "milk" means the buttermilk and the milk, and the "butter" means the butter. 🙂 So, yes, mix the butter into the wet ingredients. 🙂
Mrs. Tucker says
These are BRILLIANT! I'm linking your site and recipe on my site this week. Thanks for the new tradition!
Melanie says
I make "happy birthday" pancakes for each birthday in our house but they are just reg. pancake batter / sprinkles....I'll have to try his recipe!
Ragan says
Just served these for New Years... Delicious!!!
Samantha says
I cannot wait to make these for my daughter's 3rd birthday tomorrow!!!!
K&B says
Oh, how cute ! These are absolutely adorable !
ratedkb.wordpress.com
Katelynn says
Can I use confetti cake mix instead of yellow? And would there be any substitutions if so?
Thanks! I am really excited to make these for my boyfriend next week!
Nikki says
I'm thinking you can use the confetti cake mix, but the sprinkles colors might bleed into the batter too soon...
Yanay says
This was delicious!!!! I did forget to add the buttermilk so my batter was thick but I made it work and it still came out yummy!
My son and hubby loved them!!!
Lisa says
Hi, I was wondering the measurements for the icing.
Nikki says
Hi Lisa,
I don't use exact measurements as it's solely up to your taste. Just gradually combine the two ingredients until it reaches your taste and texture preference (runny or thick). I would start with just Tablespoons of each.
Gena says
I'm not great at the whole from scratch stuff... Can you make the box pancakes and just add sprinkles?
Nikki says
Sure! But, it won't taste like birthday cake pancakes. Just regular pancakes with sprinkles.
Lizzi says
Silvia you poor thing you, I used to have the same problem. Its 1 of two things. First it may be the batter is to runny. Add more of the dry ingredients by eye balling it little by little til the batter is thicker but not thick-thick. Second bisquick is a GREAT brand for a quick fluffy pancake fix mix. My husband had introduced me to it since I had used other brands and that bisquick stuff is a-maizing. Its gotta be one of those 2 things...hey let us know okay what you did to solve your problem
Silvia says
Hi Nikki, thank you for all your advice! I did as you told me, froze the pancakes and then reheated them in the microwave in the morning. My daughter loved them, she ate a portion of the "cake" yesterday and another one today :). I have to tell you that even though they weren't as tall as yours, they weren't rubbery or crunchy, thank goodness! They were fluffy and super tasty. What I noticed though is that my last pancakes were thinner than the first ones, more spread out with the same amount of batter. Do you know if there is a reason for that? I will try the Bisquick brand some time and let you know how it goes!
Silvia says
Thank you Lizzi! I will try to add more flour to the batter next time, that could help things a little. I will let you know 🙂
Nikki says
Hi Silvia,
I'm not sure why the last pancakes were thinner. Interesting, though! Glad they turned out delicious for you and that your daughter loved them, as well. 🙂 Tell her happy birthday for me! 🙂
Silvia says
Thank you for your quick reply, Nikki! I have another question, what do you do to make them so high and fluffy, is it the buttermilk? Do you make your own buttermilk with milk and vinegar or you use real buttermilk? Thanks!
Nikki says
Hi Silvia, Yes, I use real buttermilk. Once in a while I'll substitute with the milk and vinegar mixture, but I haven't tried that yet with these pancakes. Did yours not turn out fluffy? The baking soda is also key. Make sure yours isn't expired. 🙂
Silvia says
I haven't tried yours yet, but I almost always have the problem of pancakes not being fluffy and being very flat. This time I will try with real buttermilk, in case that makes a difference. Regarding the baking soda, the last time I used a brand new Arm and Hammer baking soda and it didn't help. I will let you know how it goes, I hope it will be ok, although my daughter don't care about how they turn out as long as they taste like pancakes 🙂 Thank you for your answer!
Silvia says
Hi! Do you think I can make everything the night before and just reheat in the microwave in the morning or it will be too rubbery? My daughter's birthday is next Friday and she would love this, especially eaten as a cake!
Nikki says
I've made them ahead of time, then warmed them in the fridge and they were fine. But, I freeze them instead of letting them stay out overnight. Once I let them stay overnight and they were rubbery when reheated. And, when you do reheat them, make sure they are reheated well...I mean HOT. Or, again, they will be rubbery.
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
How fun! I have to make this for the boyfriend for his birthday!
Gloria Quinones says
Can you prepare the mix the night before and make the pancakes the next day?
Nikki says
Hi Gloria, You can give it a try, if you leave out the sprinkles until right before making it. Otherwise, the sprinkles colors will bleed into the batter.
Stephanie says
What could I use in place of the eggs, if anything? My 2 year old has an egg allergy so fun recipes like these are always hard to replicate in our home. 🙁
Nikki says
Hi Stephanie, Maybe another reader can chime in. I'm not familiar with egg substitutes, so I can't help you there. Maybe a Google search?
Mychael says
Instead of eggs, try plain yogurt instead, or applesauce...works every time for me...and the applesauce would also make these VEGAN to answer that earlier posters question...
Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating says
I don't know that those could be called breakfast ... but who cares?!
Sarah B says
Is there anyway you can think to put a vegan spin on these? They look amazing!
Nikki says
Hi Sarah,
I'm definitely not an expert in the vegan area. You might want to share this recipe with a vegan recipe blogger and see if they can make an adaptation. 🙂
Countre Brammer says
Use the vegan Bisquick pancake recipe and just a little of the cake mix you want to it .( Pumpkin spice or cinnamon spice cake mix is my favorite)
DeAnna says
Can you make waffles from this recipe? It is an AWESOME idea!
Nikki says
I haven't tried making waffles with this recipe, but I'm thinking there should probably be tweaks to it. If you do a Google search for "cake batter waffles", or "birthday cake waffles" you might find a recipe out there. 🙂 I do want to give it a try, myself, someday!!
madeleine says
Can you use the funfetti cake mix and frosting, and eliminate the sprinkles?
Nikki says
Sure!
Emilio G says
I'm making these right now for my nieces birthday today I hope I made them right haha
Jeni says
Can these be made with store bought pancake mix?
Nikki says
Hi Jeni, You can probably use store bought pancake mix, but I'm not sure how much of the pancake mix you would use. Come back and let us know if you come up with a good formula! 🙂
tracie says
My birthday is Saturday so I'm going to make these this week. They look really yummy
Nikki says
Happy birthday, Tracie! We're birthday twins, as mine is this Saturday, too! 🙂
Tara @ Musical Soup Eaters says
Wow, so decadent! This is definitely a recipe I want to save for my son's birthday this fall. He would love this.
Stephanie @ Macaroni and Cheesecake says
These look like the perfect birthday treat!! They look amazing!
Sweetsugarbelle says
My bday is coming!!!! Can I come over?!
Mei-I @ gastronomic nomad says
These are so fun!!! I would love to wake up to these on my birthday. And funny, it's my birthday this weekend so perfect to have a batch made and ready!!
RavieNomNoms says
YESSS! This looks awesome!
Karen says
October 8 I celebrate the last year of my 20s. Just in case you were wondering.
Nikki says
haha! Yes, I was! 😉
Jessica says
These look AMAZING.
Jessica @ Sunny Side Up says
I.LOVE.THIS!!!! So, so, so cute!!
Julie @ Table for Two says
droolicious!! i would totally make a huge stack for myself on my birthday - or get jason to make it 😉
Anonymous says
My birthday is so soon gonna make it for my b day
Krystal R says
Oh wow! These are freaking awesome! I need these in my tummy stat!!
[email protected] says
My hubby turns 30 next Friday, the 24th, I think I will be getting up early that day to make him some of these! Yummo!
Nikki says
A perfect start into his 30's! 🙂
Katelyn says
I can't wait to make these a week from Sunday, 24 is going to start off deliciously!
Nikki says
Ah! You're so young! Live it up, girl. 🙂
Kelsey says
How fun! You can expect me next February!
Diane Hutchings says
Lee would totally love these! Im going to have to treat him 🙂
Tina {My Life as a Mrs} says
yours look so much prettier than mine! 😉 LOVE.
Nikki says
haha! I was thinking the opposite!! 😉
Kara W. says
Too bad you live in the States! We live in Germany and would love to have you make these for us. Since I love your recipes, I'll have to put this down as another "must" try. Thanks for all the inspiration and hard work!
jo says
Simply drve to Dr.Oettger in Hannover!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Dang, I wish it was my birthday!
Nicole, RD says
How, oh how, can we make these happen in Grand Rapids? NEED!! NEED!! NEED!!!
nate funk says
I can't to try this