For a unique dessert, try this Pancake Mix Bundt Cake! It features the sweet and slightly nutty flavor of graham crackers, and it comes together without any stress.
Quick and easy to prepare thanks to pancake mix, you'll love the simple prep with basic ingredients. Best of all, this cake is drizzled with a graham cracker buttercream glaze for a fun and fresh take on cake that will leave everybody wanting a second slice!
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🩵 About This Recipe
So why use pancake mix to bake a cake? I think the better question is, why NOT use pancake mix to bake a cake! This amazing dessert features a unique cake base and a delicious homemade glaze for maximum sweetness.
The truth is, this is a great shortcut to use when you don't happen to have a boxed cake mix in the house, but are looking to make a quick and easy dessert that is just a little more special than a regular cake.
Can't get enough delicious homemade cakes? Try my Refrigerator Cake or this Mocha Hazelnut Layer Cake!
What readers are saying...
So amazing, It's delicious. I made it for my family last night, we loved this pancake mix cake.
- Anthony
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- pancake mix - using this instead of cake mix results in a unique cake with a tender and moist consistency and subtly sweet flavor.
- graham cracker crumbs - add a nice nutty flavor and prevent your cake batter from getting too thin.
- milk - adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter.
- eggs - help the cake rise.
- vanilla extract - adds a warm flavor that complements the graham crackers.
- graham cracker glaze - combine unsalted butter, powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs, milk, and vanilla for an easy and delicious homemade glaze
🔪 Let's Make Pancake Mix Bundt Cake!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Mix Cake Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine pancake mix, graham cracker crumbs, eggs, milk, and vanilla.
Bake
Pour the batter into a Bundt pan and bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Start Glaze
In a separate bowl, beat melted butter with powdered sugar.
Add Milk
While beating, carefully add the milk.
Finish Glaze
Add the vanilla and graham cracker crumbs to the glaze.
Glaze Cake
After the cake has cooled, pour glaze over top just before serving.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- A non-stick bundt pan that's properly prepared with cooking spray will prevent your cake from sticking when you remove it.
- This recipe can be doubled, but you'll want to add 10 minutes or so of baking time.
- Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake.
- Allow the cake at least 10 minutes of cooking time before inverting and removing it from the pan.
❔ FAQs
Most pancake mixes include flour, sugar, salt, and some kind of leavening agent (usually baking powder). Pancake mix is convenient because it has all of the proper ingredient proportions already measured out for you!
Bundt cakes are mostly different in their shape, which is achieved through using a specific pan. Because of the decorative flute in the center of a Bundt pan, Bundt cakes also typically bake more evenly.
Yes, but any recipe you make with pancake mix will be somewhat different from what you might expect. Substituting cake mix with pancake mix will work, but the finished result will have a different texture, flavor, and consistency.
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Use a flavored pancake mix for a slightly different result. Buttermilk pancakes or even cinnamon pancake mix would work well in this recipe.
- For more flavor, mix in chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, or chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.
- Chopped pecans are also great for a fun topping.
- A dairy-free milk and dairy-free butter can be used instead.
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
Be sure to add the powdered sugar to the glaze a little at a time to prevent it from flying everywhere!
🥡 Storage and Reheating
Leftover cake can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped well. Keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5.
You can also freeze the cake (unglazed) for up to 3 months, then thaw in the fridge and add glaze before serving.
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this pancake mix bundt cake recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
This cake is best served slightly warm with the glaze drizzled freshly on top and sprinkled with chopped nuts. You can also pair your cake with a mug of coffee or hot chocolate, or even serve with a scoop of ice cream.
😋 More Easy Dessert Recipes You'll Love
- Fudgy Black Bean Brownies - These rich and satisfying brownies feature black beans for some extra protein!
- Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies - Turn ordinary chocolate chip cookies into a showstopping dessert.
- Snickers Bar Brownies - If you have a real sweet tooth, these amazing brownies are stuffed with Snickers bars for extra flavor.
- Pumpkin Pie Turnovers - This recipe from The Bitter Side of Sweet turns the classic dessert into a handheld treat that everybody will love!
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Homemade Cake Made with Pancake Mix
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📋 Recipe Card
Pancake Mix Bundt Cake With Graham Crackers
Ingredients
For the cake
- 2 cups pancake mix (such as Bisquick)
- ½ cup graham cracker crumbs (about 3 sheets)
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the glaze
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup confectioner's sugar
- 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare bundt pan by spraying with non-stick baking spray.
- Combine all the cake ingredients and pour into the bundt pan.2 cups pancake mix, ½ cup graham cracker crumbs, 1 cup milk, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Bake for about 20 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze. Pour the butter into a medium bowl, then add the powdered sugar a little at a time while beating with a hand mixer.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, ½ cup confectioner's sugar
- Add about half the milk while beating.2 tablespoons milk
- Add the graham cracker crumbs and vanilla and beat for another minute. Add more milk as needed until the glaze is still thick but can be drizzled off the end of a spoon and leave a trail in the bowl (i.e. it doesn't immediately get absorbed back into the rest of the glaze).2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Once the cake is baked, cool for about 10 minutes and then invert the bundt pan onto a serving plate to remove the cake. Drizzle the glaze over the cake just prior to serving. Sprinkle with chopped pecans for garnish if desired.
Notes
Prep Tips:
- Use a nonstick Bundt pan and coat it generously with baking spray to ensure easy removal.
- If you double the recipe be sure to extend baking time by about 10 minutes and test for doneness with a toothpick.
- For best texture, let the cake cool for at least 10 minutes before inverting to prevent cracking.
Variation Suggestions:
- Try flavored pancake mixes such as buttermilk or cinnamon.
- Add chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or mini marshmallows to the batter.
- Make it dairy-free: Substitute a plant-based milk (like vanilla almond milk) and a dairy-free butter alternative.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve this cake slightly warm with a drizzle of the graham cracker glaze and a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers or pecans on top.
- Tastes great paired with coffee or hot chocolate.
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or top with whipped cream.
Storage Info For Leftovers:
- Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze the baked (unglazed) cake for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before glazing and serving.
- If the glaze thickens in storage, warm it for a few seconds in the microwave and stir before drizzling.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in November 2018, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in October 2025.
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Uzma says
Can I make this in microwave oven as I don't have a normal oven
Kristin says
Hi Uzma, I don't really recommend making this in a microwave as they cook so unevenly. I'm sorry! You could definitely try it if you really want to, but I wouldn't know how to tell you to adjust the recipe because it's just not something I have ever experimented with. Honestly I don't even have an appropriate cake pan for a microwave so that would be my first issue. I hope you are able to find something else that will work for your purposes!
Paula says
Can we make this cake without the Graham crackers? What is the purpose of the crackers? Hoping to make this tonight. Thank you.
Kristin says
I think you can make it without the graham crackers but you may want to add some extra pancake mix to make up for the difference in dry ingredient amounts. However please note that I haven't tried it so I can't be certain that it will turn out! Good luck and I hope it works out!
Anthony Allen says
So amazing, It's delicious.I made it for my family last night, we loved this pancake mix cake. Thanks for your sharing and wait a new recipe from you!
Judith A. Graber says
Such an interesting post- pancake mix and graham crackers in the cake! You say it works - that's the beauty of having blogs where others have tried out the recipe. Thanks for sharing with Fiesta Friday!
Jess says
How interesting! I've never heard of using pancake mix to bake cake before. Thank you for sharing Kristin, it's looks nice 🙂
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party! Have a great week and hope to see you at next week's party!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook says
This is such an amazing idea! Thanks for sharing! x
Jersey Girl Cooks says
Great idea! I think I will have to try this!