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This easy vanilla pancake mix cake is the second-best thing you can make with pancake mix (after pancakes, of course!) It’s soft, moist, and ready in less than 30. minutes, perfect when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to be full with fancy baking steps.
Since you’re here, check out my other simple cake recipes like my Crack Cake, Bundt Cake, and this yellow cake mix coffee cake.
The story behind the great (no-flour) grocery store days, I grabbed pancake mix out of desperation, and it ended up being the best accidental discovery ever! When I couldn’t bake traditional cakes, I experimented with what I had and found that pancake mix makes an amazing cake base.
To this day, this boxed pancake mix cake remains one of my favorite easy desserts. You’ll love it for birthdays, potlucks, or whenever you want to bake something quick and comforting.
If you have any leftover pancake mix, try out these 7 secrets to make boxed pancakes better + mistakes to avoid + recipe
LEt’s Chit Chat!
I love how easy this cake is; it’s become a go-to when I am short on time but still want something sweet without the added stress. Sometimes I even make it for breakfast (YES!! It’s that good!)
If you make it, try adding chocolate chips or turning it into a layer cake to impress! Let me know in the comments below how you personalized yours. I’d love to hear it!
Table of Contents
- You’ll love this recipe
- Ingredients for cake with pancake mix
- Why does this quick cake recipe not use baking powder?
- How to Make a Vanilla pancake mix cake (Step-By-Step)
- Expert Tips for Best Results
- Frequently asked questions – FAQs
- Vanilla Pancake Mix Cake Recipe
- If you enjoyed this vanilla boxed pancake cake recipe make sure to pin it for later!
You’ll love this recipe
- Made with pancake mix, no need for flour or baking powder.
- Takes just 10 minutes to prep.
- Moist, buttery, and rich in vanilla flavor.
- Bake sin under 25 minutes!
- Easily customizable with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients for cake with pancake mix
Here’s what you’ll need to make your vanilla pancake mix cake:
- Pancake mix- Any boxed mix will work! I love using Krusteaz.
- Sugar– Adds a touch of sweetness.
- Milk– Keeps the cake extra moist.
- Sour cream– For extra moisture and a tender crumb.
- Butter– Adds more richness and flavor than regular vegetable oil.
- Egg– The egg is the binding agent in this cake.
- Vanilla– The key to that delicious vanilla cake flavor.
Why does this quick cake recipe not use baking powder?
Since we are using pancake mix we don’t need to use a leavening agent. As you might know pancake mix already has baking powder in the mixture itself so that whenever you add your wet ingredients your pancakes rise and become fluffy.
How to Make a Vanilla pancake mix cake (Step-By-Step)
Here is how you can make your own super easy cake made out of our favorite pantry staple ingredient, boxed pancake mix! Make sure to scroll down to the recipe box to get the full detailed recipe.
- Mix the wet ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Add the dry ingredients, aka the pancake mix to the wet ingredients bowl.
- Mix both the wet and the dry ingredients together just until the dry mixture disappears. Make sure not to over mix your cake batter.
- Pour the pancake mix cake batter into your greased pan.
- Bake the cake in the preheated oven until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Frost the cake once it’s completely cool.
- Serve your amazing homemade pancake mix cake and enjoy it with friends and family!
If you love experimenting with pancake mix, check out this guide from Lehi Mills for even more creative ideas!
Topping ideas for pancake mix cake
Top your flapjack cake however you like, here are a few delicious ideas:
- Classic chocolate buttercream or vanilla frosting.
- Lemon glaze
- Whipped cream and berries
- Cream cheese frosting
- Chocolate ganache
Expert Tips for Best Results
- Don’t over-mix! It’ll make your cake dense instead of fluffy.
- Don’t over-bake. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Double it up! Want a bigger cake? Double the recipe for a 9×13-inch pan and bake 5-10 minutes longer.
Frequently asked questions – FAQs
Can I use any pancake mix for this recipe?
Yes! Most pancake mixes (like Krusteaz, Bisquick, and Aunt Jemima) will work as long as they’re the “complete” kind with leavening already included.
Can I make this in a 9×13-inch pan?
Absolutely! Here I made a snack cake, but for bigger, just double the recipe and increase the baking time slightly ( by about 5-10 minutes).
Does this recipe need baking powder?
Nope! The pancake mix itself already contains baking powder, so it rises perfectly without adding more.
Can I add mix-ins?
Yes! Add chocolate chips, berries, like fresh blueberries, nuts like pecans or walnuts or even cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for a fun twist
Can I frost this cake?
Absolutely! And I even highly recommend doing that to elevate it even more. You can use any frosting you love. I used chocolate frosting here, but cream cheese or vanilla buttercream are delicious in it too! Some other ideas would be to use brown butter buttercream, peanut butter frosting, or even this mascarpone frosting!
Can I use protein pancake mix?
You can, but it may make the cake more dense and less sweet. Add a little extra sugar, and butter for better flavor.
Can I make it without eggs?
I haven’t tried it without egg, but I have heard of many having success with using 1/4 cup apple sauce or Greek yogurt for a similar texture.
Vanilla Pancake Mix Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cup pancake mix
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup milk at room temperature
- 1/2 cup sour cream at room temperature
- 1 egg at room temperature
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 1 & 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- First start by preheating the oven to 350F, then line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl mix the sugar, milk, sour cream, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until well incorporated. Add in the pancake mix and gently fold just until the dry mixture disappears.
- Pour in the prepared baking pan, and bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. The cake will be lightly golden and that's okay, it will stay very moist.
- Let the cake cool down completely, then decorate with frosting, whipped cream or anything you'd like to top your cake with. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you enjoyed this vanilla boxed pancake cake recipe make sure to pin it for later!
This recipe has to be one of the best… I just my cake today, and it came out bomb!
glad you like it!
Made this today with Bob’s Red Mill Pancake mix left over. It is delicious!! I made4 some changes based on what I had on hand: used Coconut palm sugar , Trader Joes non fat yogurt for sour cream, applesauce for the egg , and Benecol for the butter. Also added some spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamon and cloves. Recipe is so good it allowed for all the additions and changes &came out so moist & delicious gingerbread flavor !! One of best cakes I have every tasted. Doesn’t need a frosting at all.
I absolutely love your resourcefulness and using what you have on hand! I honestly do the same thing all the time haha. So glad you liked the recipe 🙂
I made the Vanilla Pancake Mix cake and it was delicious. I googled can I make a cake with Pancake mix and your recipe came up. aggghh! Next time I will add some different ingredients. Thank you!
I’m so glad you liked it!
Can you make this cake with a Krusteaz waffle mix?
Thank you
Sure I don’t see why not!
Can this be made into cupcakes?
Yes, it definitely can!
Not sure what I did wrong. It did not pour…it was very thick. In the oven now…fingers crossed!
The batter itself is pretty thick since we aren’t making pancakes, but cake instead. Different brands might affect the pancake cake differently as well. I used Krusteaz so I would recommend sticking to that.
great idea…this came together well. Used pumpkin spice pancake mix, Greek non fat yogurt instead of sour cream..topped with homemade cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with chopped pecans
That’s awesome!
This was delicious, and super easy to make. I wanted cake but not a huge ordeal and long bake time – this recipe is great and versatile. I used Krusteaz gluten free buttermilk pancake mix, substituted ricotta for the sour cream and also used up the last very ripe banana of the bunci by
If I wanted to make these as muffins how would I need to adjust the recipe, it’s way too dense to do muffins, extra milk? Less pancake mix?
Thank you in advance
Can you double the mix for a higher cake?
Yes! Just adjust the baking time
what can I use instead of sour ream on a vanilla cake
You can use greek yogurt!