Funfetti Pancakes

Colorful, bright funfetti pancakes are as fun as a birthday cake, but you can eat ’em for breakfast! While all pancake recipes have a bit of a dessert-for-breakfast vibe, these sprinkle-flecked flapjacks take it up a notch (or ten).

The recipe jazzes up plain pancake mix with boxed cake mix and stirs in a generous helping of confetti sprinkles. To top it off, a generous drizzle of cake frosting replaces the usual maple syrup. This fun, totally indulgent confection isn’t exactly an everyday breakfast, but funfetti cake pancakes are the perfect treat to serve on a special birthday or after a late-night sleepover.

Ingredients for Funfetti Pancakes

• Pancake mix: Making funfetti pancakes with pancake mix is quicker than starting from scratch since the box already contains flour, leavening agents, sugar and salt. Use your favorite mix, or try one of our Test Kitchen’s top-rated boxed pancake mixes.
• Cake mix: Any yellow or white cake mix will work for these funfetti cake pancakes. If you don’t have a go-to brand, our Test Kitchen rated the best boxed cake mixes.
• Eggs: Allow the eggs to come to room temperature before mixing. If you forget, pop refrigerated, uncracked eggs into a bowl of hot water for a few moments before mixing them into the batter.
• Milk: As well as being mixed into the pancake batter, a dash of milk thins out the frosting to make a pourable topping. This funfetti pancakes with pancake mix recipe calls for 2% milk, but you can use whole or skim milk, or even a nondairy milk alternative as long as it’s unflavored.
• Vanilla extract: Make the funfetti cake pancakes taste even more dessert-like with a dash of vanilla extract.
• Sprinkles: We use rainbow sprinkles here for a classic funfetti look, but you can use chocolate or any color sprinkles you like.
• Vanilla frosting: Using store-bought frosting makes a quick sweet topping that’s a festive change of pace from maple syrup.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients, then the wet ingredients

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In a large bowl, whisk the pancake mix and cake mix together.

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In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, 1-1/2 cups milk and the vanilla until blended.

Step 2: Combine and let the batter rest

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Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just moistened. Let the batter stand for 10 minutes, then fold in 1/4 cup sprinkles.

Editor’s Tip: Overmixing the batter can result in tough pancakes, so a few lumps are OK as long as you can’t see many dry spots. Also, allowing the batter to rest before cooking is one of our top pancake tips. It ensures the flour is completely hydrated, making for the fluffiest pancakes. It also allows time for the leavening agents to work so the pancakes will be light.

Step 3: Cook until bubbles form, then flip

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Heat a griddle or heavy pan over medium heat and lightly grease it with a pat of butter. When it’s hot, pour the batter by 1/4 cupfuls to form six large pancakes. Cook until bubbles cover the top of each pancake and begin to pop. The edge of each pancake should look firm. Then, flip the pancakes and cook until golden brown.

Repeat until all the batter is used up. If you want to make a pancake stack, use smaller amounts of batter to create pancakes of different sizes.

Editor’s Tip: One common mistake when making pancakes is to add the batter before the pan is hot. Flick drops of water onto the pan. When they sizzle, the pan is hot enough.

Step 4: Make the frosting and decorate

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Microwave the frosting and the remaining milk, covered, on high until melted, 10 to 15 seconds.

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On each of the large pancakes, layer smaller pancakes in order of decreasing size, ending with the smallest on top, to create a cakelike shape. Drizzle the frosting over the pancakes. Top with additional sprinkles, then serve.

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Recipe Variations

• Add a candle: Celebrating a birthday? Stick a candle or candles into the top of a stack of cakes.
• Serve with whipped cream: Gild the lily by adding homemade whipped cream to the frosted pancakes.
• Include different mix-ins: Chocolate chips or frozen blueberries make for fun textures and different flavors in the batter.
• Swap the sprinkles: If you don’t love sprinkles, skip them, or top the funfetti cake pancakes with candies like M&M’s instead.
• Make fun shapes: Pick your favorite cookie cutters and set them directly on the cooking surface. Pour in the batter and leave it until bubbles form. Carefully remove the cutter, then flip the pancake.

How to Store Funfetti Pancakes

If possible, store funfetti pancakes with pancake mix separate from the frosting; they’ll keep better that way. Transfer leftover pancakes to an airtight container, or place them on a plate and cover with foil. Store in the refrigerator.

How long do funfetti pancakes last?

Kept in the fridge, unfrosted funfetti cake pancakes will last up to four days. Frosted pancakes will keep for a day or so. After that, they’ll probably get soggy.

Can you freeze funfetti pancakes?

Yes, funfetti pancakes with pancake mix freeze well. Allow them to cool completely, then layer pieces of parchment between each pancake. Seal them in an airtight freezer-safe container or freezer bag, and keep them in the freezer for up to four months. Heat the pancakes in the microwave straight from frozen, or defrost them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

How do you reheat funfetti pancakes?

If you prefer a softer pancake, reheat the pancakes in the microwave. If you prefer a crispy exterior, heat them in the toaster oven. Serve the funfetti cake pancakes with a freshly made frosting mix or maple syrup.

Funfetti Pancake Tips

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What’s the best way to flip pancakes?

It can be tricky to flip a pancake without splattering batter or—worse—flopping one pancake on top of another, but we’ll share the secret to a perfect pancake flip: When turning the spatula, use your index finger and thumb to flip the cake. Twisting your entire wrist creates too much power, resulting in splatters.

Here are some other things to keep in mind: It’s easier to flip smaller pancakes, and it’s easier still if the pancakes are well spaced around the pan or griddle, not crowded. And be sure to wait for the pancake to be cooked on the first side. It should be covered in bubbles and the edge should be firming up.

What’s the trick to fluffy pancakes?

For fluffy funfetti cake pancakes, be careful not to overmix the batter, which can over-activate the gluten in the flour, making for tough pancakes. Stir only until all the ingredients are just moistened … a few lumps are OK.

When cooking the pancakes, try to flip them just once. Flipping them several times or being overzealous with the spatula will knock the air out of the pancakes, making them denser and less fluffy.

How can you make perfectly round pancakes?

For a pristine presentation, transfer the funfetti pancakes with pancake mix batter into a measuring cup, a pitcher or even a ketchup bottle. This will make it easier to pour the batter evenly onto the hot griddle.

What else can you serve with funfetti pancakes?

Super-sweet funfetti cake pancakes are decadent, like having dessert for breakfast. For a balanced start to the day, serve them with a protein-packed breakfast, like scrambled eggs and sausage. You can also go overboard on the sweetness and serve the pancakes with milkshakes, or cut the sweetness with a plain ol’ cup of joe.