Dessert

Birthday Cake Pancakes Recipe

ByMaya Arden November 20, 2025November 20, 2025

Introduction

Celebrate any special occasion with these fun and colorful Birthday Cake Pancakes. Fluffy, buttery, and packed with rainbow sprinkles, they taste just like your favorite party cake in pancake form.

A stack of four thick, round pancakes with visible red, green, purple, and orange sprinkles mixed inside each one, stacked on a white plate set against a white marbled background. The pancakes have a golden-brown cooked surface and creamy white glaze dripping down the sides from the top pancake. The top pancake is decorated with colorful round and rod-shaped sprinkles scattered across the glaze and topped by a dollop of white whipped cream. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
½ cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups whole milk
3 cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup rainbow sprinkles (not nonpareils)

Instructions

Step 1: Melt the butter using a microwave or stovetop and set it aside to slightly cool.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until combined. Then, whisk in the milk.

Step 3: Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Gently whisk just until no flour pockets remain; it’s okay if the batter has a few lumps. The batter will be thick.
Step 4: Let the batter rest while you heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Generously coat the surface with butter or nonstick spray and allow it to heat for 1-2 minutes.
Step 5: Gently fold the rainbow sprinkles into the batter. Drop about ⅓ cup of batter onto the hot skillet for each pancake, fitting 3-4 pancakes in a 12-inch skillet.

Step 6: Cook the pancakes until the edges are set and bubbles form along the sides and top, about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook the other side for 1-2 minutes until cooked through, about 4-5 minutes total.
Step 7: Re-grease the griddle or skillet for each batch and keep cooked pancakes warm in a 200ºF oven or use a warmer setting until all pancakes are ready to serve.
Step 8: Whisk together the ingredients for the vanilla glaze until smooth and pour it over the pancakes just before serving.

Step 9: Serve immediately with extra sprinkles on top for a festive finish.

Tips & Variations

Use rainbow sprinkles that melt well in batter, avoiding tiny nonpareils which can bleed color excessively.
For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk and use a dairy-free butter alternative.

If you prefer thicker pancakes, add a little more flour; for thinner, add a splash more milk.

Storage

Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat gently in a toaster or microwave until warm. Prepare the glaze fresh for best flavor before serving again.

How to Serve

A stack of five thick pancakes sits on a white plate over a white marbled surface, each pancake dotted with colorful sprinkles in red, green, blue, and yellow. A shiny white icing layer drips smoothly down the sides of the pancakes, adding a glossy texture. On the top pancake, there is a swirl of white whipped cream, and a light purple wavy candle is placed upright in the center. Sprinkles in various bright colors scatter over the icing, adding a festive look. The background is plain with a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the batter ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the batter and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Give it a gentle stir before cooking, as the batter may thicken slightly.

What type of sprinkles work best?

Use classic rainbow sprinkles that are large enough to hold their shape but will melt slightly when cooked, adding fun bursts of color without bleeding too much dye into the batter.