I’ve got three pancake mix desserts that are simple to pull together.
First, there’s crispy funnel cake bites—just fry your batter at 375°F and dust with powdered sugar.
Then there’s a fluffy coffee cake with cinnamon crumb topping, baked in just 22–24 minutes.
Finally, a cinnamon-sugar cake that works for breakfast or dessert, ready in 25–30 minutes.
Each one uses basic ingredients you probably have at home.
Keep scrolling to discover exactly how to make each recipe.
Easy Funnel Cake Bites With Pancake Mix
If you’ve ever wanted to recreate those crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside funnel cake bites from the fair, you can make them at home using pancake mix.
Here’s what I do: I mix pancake mix with a bit of sugar and vanilla extract to get that fair-style flavor. The batter thickness matters—I make it slightly thicker than regular pancake batter. Using a #50 scoop or two tablespoons, I drop the batter into frying oil heated to 375°F (191°C), cooking about one minute per side.
The key? Keep your oil hot between batches so each bite stays crispy. After frying, I let them cool on paper towels for a minute, then dust them generously with powdered sugar. These bite-sized treats are perfect for sharing—or keeping all for yourself.
Fluffy Pancake Mix Coffee Cake With Crumb Topping
While funnel cake bites are perfect for a quick, handheld treat, sometimes you want something you can actually sit down with—and that’s where this coffee cake comes in. I make mine in an 8×8 pan, combining pancake mix, sugar, milk, sour cream, and vanilla into a simple batter. Then comes the best part: a crumb topping of melted butter, more pancake mix, brown sugar, and cinnamon that bakes into a cinnamon-crunch layer. After 22–24 minutes, you’ve got nine perfect pieces. Want to get fancy? Fold in chocolate chips, add nuts to your topping, or drizzle a milk-and-powdered-sugar glaze over the cooled cake. Store it in an airtight container for 1–2 days or freeze for months.
Cinnamon-Sugar Pancake Mix Cake (Perfect For Breakfast Or Dessert)
it’s basically the easiest way to get that warm, cozy cinnamon flavor into a simple dessert that works just as well at breakfast.
I whisk together pancake mix, cinnamon, and granulated sugar, then add water, Greek yogurt, and vanilla to create a thick batter. Spreading this into a 9×13 casserole dish takes seconds. Here’s what happens next:
- Bake at 375°F for 25–30 minutes
- Watch the center set and top turn lightly golden
- Optional: sprinkle mini chocolate chips or nuts before baking
- Cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to a week
The cake emerges moist and soft—no syrup needed. This pancake mix dessert delivers genuine cinnamon-sugar satisfaction without the fuss.
