Cake Mix to Pancakes

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Transform any boxed cake mix to pancakes that are fluffy and light. The perfect combination of cake batter and morning pancakes.

a stack of red velvet pancakes

Tired of the same old breakfast options every morning? Introducing a game-changer: turn cake to 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 pancakes, or crave red velvet, this versatile pancake from cake mix recipe allows you to experiment with a variety of flavors. Perfect for Saturday morning, weekend brunch, birthday breakfasts, or just a regular Tuesday morning, turning cake mix to pancakes will soon become a staple in your breakfast rotation.

What readers are saying:

โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ 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.”

โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ Reader Chef Brendan says, “I made lemon blueberry with lemon cake mix and fresh blueberries ๐Ÿคค๐Ÿคค๐Ÿคค no syrup needed.”

โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ โญ๏ธ 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.”

Can you turn cake mix to pancakes?

Yes! Pancakes made from cake mix aren’t just another trend. It’s actually a smart substitute for pancake mix. Cake mix has more sugar than pancake mix, but otherwise, it works well! make Here’s why festive cake batter pancakes are perfect for any celebration.

  • 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. ๐Ÿ˜‹

Did you know can make cake mix cookies? They’re easy and delicious for these same reasons!

How to Turn Cake Mix to Pancakes

Making delicious pancakes is easy! Here’s how to do it:

  • 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.This will keep your pancake texture soft and fluffy.
  • 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.

Tips for Perfect Pancakes

  • 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.

Cake Mix Pancake Toppings

100% pure maple syrup is a classic when you turn cake mix to pancakes, but why not try something different?

a stack of red cake mix pancakes

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.
  • White cake mix gives a blank slate for any holiday you’d like!
a stack of red christmas cake mix pancakes

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.
a stack of cake mix pancakes on a plate
a stack of cake mix pancakes on a plate

Cake Mix to Pancakes

4.68 from 123 votes
Cake for breakfast?! You bet! Turn cake mix to pancakes for 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 2% milk * 20 ounces
  • 1/4 cup canola oil or vegetable oil, 2 ounces

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. 1 box cake mix, ½ cup all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs, 2 ½ cups 2% milk *, ¼ cup canola oil
  • 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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4.68 from 123 votes (98 ratings without comment)
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AEC Heather
4 years ago

5 stars
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!

Steena Vee
5 years ago

5 stars
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!!

Brenda
5 years ago

5 stars
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!

Elisha
5 years ago

5 stars
Recipe is awesome they donโ€™t need anything on them. We freeze for quick breakfast.

Princess Staples
5 years ago

5 stars
I love this recipe! How about waffles, would you reccomend this same recipe?

Susan
5 years ago

5 stars
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!

Peacock
5 years ago

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 ๐Ÿ˜‰

Mike from NYC
6 years ago

5 stars
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 boxโ€”time to stock up hah!

Misty
6 years ago

What can i use instead of eggs?

Jillian
6 years ago

This looks great. Can i make thiswithout a mixer?

Jessica
6 years ago

I was wondering if you could use apple sauce to replace the oil?

Heather Usrey Clements
6 years ago

5 stars
I used a strawberry cake mix for Valentine’s day! Absolutely delish!

Mary
6 years ago

Have you ever tried putting these in a waffle iron? I’m imagining serving them with ice cream ????

Maggie
6 years ago

5 stars
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!

Siela Kankei Kishigawa
6 years ago

5 stars
I really liked this recipe cause I was craving pancakes and this was much easier than running to the store just to get the baking powder to make normal pancakes from scratch. Really came in handy.