Hey y'all! Ready to turn an ordinary breakfast into a celebration? These Birthday Cake "Funfetti" Pancakes are fluffy, sweet, and bursting with colorful sprinkles—perfect for birthdays, special brunches, or just whenever you want to make the day a little brighter. Each bite tastes like cake, pancake, and pure happiness rolled into one. Let's get cooking!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Festive & Fun: Rainbow sprinkles add a playful pop of color for any occasion.
Super Fluffy: The buttermilk base guarantees pillowy Pancakes every time.
Easy to Make: No fancy ingredients—just pantry basics and a few minutes of prep!
Kid-Approved: These pancakes are always a hit with little (and big) kids alike.
Cake Flavor: Vanilla extract and butter give that classic birthday cake taste.

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
¼ cup whole milk
2 large eggs
2 tablespoon unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
1 ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
⅓ cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies style work best, plus more for topping)
Butter or oil for the pan

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, beat buttermilk, milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla until well combined. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing just until you see a few streaks of flour remain (don't overmix—it keeps the pancakes fluffy!). Fold in the sprinkles last for maximum color.

Step 2: Preheat & Grease

Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle to medium-low (about 325°F if using an electric griddle). Lightly grease the surface with butter or oil.

Step 3: Cook the Pancakes

Pour about ¼ cup of batter per pancake onto the hot griddle. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until small bubbles form on the surface and the edges are set. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown and fluffy.

Step 4: Serve & Celebrate

Stack the warm pancakes on plates. Top with extra sprinkles, whipped cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup. Enjoy immediately for the best texture!

Notes

Let the batter rest for 5 minutes before cooking to ensure maximum fluffiness.
Use "jimmies" style sprinkles, as nonpareils can bleed color and make the pancakes gray.
If you don't have buttermilk, use 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar; let sit for 5 minutes.

Variations

Chocolate "Funfetti" Pancakes: Swap ¼ cup flour for cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist.
Gluten-Free: Use any measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend.
Vegan: Replace dairy with plant-based milk, use a flax egg, and vegan butter.

Required Equipment

Mixing bowls
Whisk
Measuring cups & spoons
Nonstick skillet or electric griddle
Spatula

Storage Instructions

Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, place cool pancakes in a zip-top freezer bag, separating layers with parchment; freeze up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or in the toaster until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

Top with whipped cream, fresh berries, and a cherry for a true birthday cake vibe.
Serve with vanilla yogurt or a scoop of ice cream for a decadent treat.
Pair with a glass of cold milk or a funfetti latte for the ultimate breakfast party!

Pro Tips for Perfect Funfetti Pancakes

Sift the dry ingredients for the lightest, airiest texture.
Fold sprinkles in gently at the end to keep the batter colorful and bright.
Keep pancakes warm in a 200°F oven as you cook the batches.

FAQ

1. Can I use boxed cake mix to make these pancakes?

For a true birthday cake flavor, you can use some dry cake mix in place of part of the flour, but our from-scratch batter is fluffier and less sweet—just like the best pancakes!

2. Which type of sprinkles works best?

Jimmies (the long, soft sprinkles) work best since nonpareils can bleed and turn the batter gray.

3. How do I prevent pancakes from sticking?

Make sure your pan or griddle is nonstick and well-greased between batches; allow it to reheat slightly for evenly cooked pancakes.