Start the day off right for your loved one with these truly cake-like Birthday Cake Pancakes – loaded with sprinkles and topped with a powdered sugar glaze and birthday candle.
I originally posted the recipe for these Birthday Cake Pancakes back in 2014 when my son turned 9 years old. Every year since both my kids have requested these thick and very “cakey” pancakes for their birthdays. It’s a great way to start the day on anyone’s birthday but especially for kids. These are about the quickest cake-like treat you can make for a birthday celebration – no fussy frosting required.
Back when I wanted to first make birthday cake pancakes I couldn’t find a really thick, cake-like pancake. So I altered this carrot cake pancake recipe to make what I wanted. The key to a good birthday cake pancake that rises high like a cake is a lot of baking powder. One full tablespoon for this recipe that makes 13 pancakes. The batter for these pancakes is really thick.
You could top these pancakes with pancake syrup but I think they look more celebratory with a powdered sugar glaze topping. The extra sprinkles and birthday candle are optional but I really think they take these birthday cake pancakes over the top and will make your birthday boy or girl feel really special.
Tips for making Birthday Cake Pancakes:
- An electric griddle is much easier to keep the temperature consistent for cooking these pancakes – I highly recommend using a griddle instead of the stovetop for cooking these pancakes
- In order for the pancakes to rise correctly the first side needs to be fully cooked before flipping – be patient and don’t flip the pancakes until the edges are starting to look dry and you see small bubbles in the batter coming up through the bottom
- I use this size of cookie scoop for getting the batter onto my griddle
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Birthday Cake Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted and cooled a bit
- 1/2 cup skim milk
- 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 tbsp sprinkles
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp skim milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Heat an electric griddle to 375 degrees.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl whisk together the milk, sour cream, eggs, melted butter and one teaspoon of vanilla.
- Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir together with a spatula until most of the flour is incorporated. Add the sprinkles and mix until batter is free of all flour streaks. Batter will be very thick.
- Swirl a bit of butter under each place on griddle where you will be dropping the batter. Drop about 1/4 cup of batter onto hot griddle for each pancake. I used a large cookie scoop for easy release of the batter. Cook until tops are beginning to look dry. You may see a few bubbles, but batter is thick, so you may not. I think these cooked for 6 - 8 minutes on one side before I flipped them. Flip and leave on griddle until cooked through.
- To prepare the glaze, put the butter and milk in a glass bowl and microwave until melted. Add the vanilla and pinch of salt and whisk. Add powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time, whisking after each addition. If glaze still seems too loose, add a little extra powdered sugar.
- Serve the pancakes topped with glaze and more sprinkles.
Nutrition
More breakfast recipes:
Jessica Formicola says
Oh my goodness, who wouldn’t love to wake up to a stack of these on their birthday??
foodtasticmom says
Hopefully not many people 🙂 My kids love them
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy says
Awwww this will put a smile on anyone, kid or adult! A great pick me up on bad mornings too!!!
foodtasticmom says
Very true – they can just be funfetti pancakes and make them for any day!
Sandi says
What a fun way to celebrate a birthday!
foodtasticmom says
I think so!
Heather LeGuilloux says
WOW! These look incredible and would be a fantastic way to start a birthday! Great work.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you!
Emily says
These have got to be the most delicious looking pancakes I’ve ever seen! What a great idea.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Emily 🙂
Sharon says
This is a wonderful way to start off a birthday! The cute sprinkles, sweet glaze and candles make it a perfect treat.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much Sharon!
Patty @ Spoonabilities says
Oh I love these! What a wonderful idea for a birthday breakfast!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Patty!
Allison Mattina says
Why have I never thought of this?!?! Such a delicious way to start a day!
foodtasticmom says
They really are!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
These are beyond fun! What a great way to start a birthday (or any day for that matter). And the sprinkles are a must – they add a lovely touch 🙂
foodtasticmom says
Thanks so much Dawn!
Priya Shiva says
wow! gorgeous pancakes and I wish someone makes it for my birthday!
foodtasticmom says
You’ll have to show this recipe to someone to make them for you 🙂
Amy | The Cook Report says
Such a fun idea for breakfast!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you!
foodtasticmom says
My kids love these!
Sues says
These are gorgeous and so fun!! I can’t imagine a better way to wake up on your birthday 🙂 The more sprinkles, the better!!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks I appreciate your compliments