Birthday Funfetti Cupcake Pancakes are the ultimate way to turn a birthday morning into something memorable. Whether you’re celebrating with a sleepover breakfast, surprising your kids with something special, or just love sprinkles as much as we do, these colorful pancakes combine the fun of funfetti cake with the fluffy texture of classic pancakes—topped with vanilla glaze, whipped cream, and a cherry, just like a cupcake.

These festive funfetti pancakes are a fun twist on traditional pancake recipes—perfect for any special occasion, especially birthday celebrations.

stack of birthday pancakes on a white plate with frosting, sprinkles, whipped cream and a cherry on top with a fork on the Side of the plate.

Why I Love Birthday Funfetti Cupcake Pancakes

Great way to enjoy fluffy funfetti pancakes with simple ingredients
They're festive and fun for birthday mornings
Combines the best of pancakes and cupcakes in one bite
Easy to make using cake mix and pancake mix
Kids and teens absolutely love them
A perfect breakfast when you want to make a special day feel extra sweet

stack of birthday pancakes on a white plate with frosting, sprinkles, whipped cream and a cherry on top

Ingredient Notes

Pancake mix – Any boxed or homemade pancake mix will work. You can even use whole wheat flour if you'd like to make healthy funfetti pancakes.
Funfetti or yellow cake mix – This adds that sweet cake batter flavor that makes these feel like cupcake pancakes.
Rainbow or confetti sprinkles – Use jimmies for the best results. Add some extra sprinkles on top for decoration!
Powdered sugar & cream – These create the vanilla icing drizzle.
Vanilla extract – Gives your glaze a boost of flavor.
Whipped topping – Cool Whip or homemade whipp e d cream works great.
Maraschino cherries – A cute touch for cupcake-style presentation.
Nonstick spray – Essential for a smooth pancake flip on your cast iron griddle or non-stick surface.

How to Make Birthday Funfetti Cupcake Pancakes

In a large bowl or separate bowl, mix equal parts pancake mix and funfetti or yellow cake mix (about 1 cup each).
Stir in eggs, milk, and a handful of confetti sprinkles. Mix until just combined—you don’t want to overmix your homemade pancake batter.
In a small bowl, whisk together about 2 cups of powdered sugar with a few tablespoons of cream and a splash of vanilla extract to create your vanilla icing.
Preheat a cast iron griddle or non-stick skillet and coat it with nonstick spray or cooking spray. Pour about ⅓ cup of batter per pancake.
Cook pancakes until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set. Flip and cook until golden brown, about 30–60 seconds.
Repeat for the rest of your batter. Spread into round pancakes if you want a uniform stack.

(Even though I’ve made wedding cakes, flipping pancakes still gets me. These fluffy pancakes may not be perfect circles every time, but they’re still totally cute and delicious!)

Quick Tips

Use non-stick spray or melted butter to keep pancakes from sticking
Let the glaze cool slightly before drizzling for the best texture
Keep cooked pancakes warm in a 200°F oven while making the full batch
Stack mini pancakes for individual portions
Add chocolate chips for a fun twist on cake mix pancakes
Works great with a box of cake mix you already have in the pantry

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Birthday Funfetti Cupcake Pancakes ahead of time?
Yes, mix the batter and prepare your glaze the night before. Store covered in the fridge and cook pancakes fresh the next morning.
Can I use a homemade pancake mix?
Absolutely! Your favorite homemade pancake recipe or homemade pancake mix will work well.
What if I want to make this recipe a little healthier?
Use whole wheat flour or swap out the cake mix for a healthier option. You can also reduce the glaze and whipped topping.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes! Let the pancakes cool completely and freeze on a sheet pan before transferring to a zip-top bag. Reheat in the toaster or microwave.
Do these work with different flavors of cake mix?
Yes, you can use chocolate or strawberry for different versions of fun pancakes.
Are these too sweet for breakfast?
They are definitely a treat—great for a special birthday or celebration, but you can customize sweetness with fewer toppings.

Behind the Recipe

When my daughter turned 14, I couldn’t believe it—especially when she told me she didn’t want me to bake her a birthday cake. Me! The mom who built her blog around baking. But I still wanted to do something special, so I made a big batch of birthday pancakes the next morning for her and her sleepover friends.

These were inspired by IHOP’s cupcake pancakes. I never tried theirs, but I loved the idea of funfetti cake batter pancakes served with whipped cream and a cherry on top. The result? A stack of fluffy funfetti pancakes with cupcake vibes and zero leftovers.

For her party, we had pizza at Mellow Mushroom, followed by a store-bought Nothing Bundt Cake with cream cheese frosting and M&M’s. It was her request—and honestly, it was delicious!

I’m just happy I still got to contribute something homemade. These sprinkle pancakes were a hit and made her special birthday even sweeter.

In case you were wondering, the reason she didn't want me to make her cake was because she wanted me to BUY her a Nothing Bundt cake. And I can't blame her. Their cakes are to die for! (Click here to try my Copycat Nothing Bundt Red Velvet Cake.)

my daughter savannah and friend sitting at a table with a birthday bundt cake with lit candles.

Happy Birthday, Savannah! xo

Love this recipe? If you try it, be sure to tag me on Instagram @momlovesbaking ! You can also find me on Pinterest, YouTube and Facebook.

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