Recipes
Breakfast

Birthday Cake Funfetti Pancakes

A breakfast fit for a birthday celebration! These Funfetti Birthday Cake Pancakes are bursting with colour, drizzled with vanilla icing and bring the fun factor to a birthday morning!

Birthday Cake Funfetti Pancakes

Why you'll love these Funfetti Birthday Pancakes

  • So simple and easy to prepare
  • Light and fluffy, the perfect start to a special day
  • A combination of sprinkles, vanilla icing and a candle on top give the full effect of a birthday cake

Not only are they quick and easy to prepare and make, leaving you more time for the celebrations, but they are based on a traditional buttermilk pancake - meaning they are extra light and fluffy! They are also jam packed with rainbow sprinkles, brightening up even the darkest of mornings!

My boys always find it so unfair when their birthdays fall on a school day, so I love to start the day with a celebratory breakfast to compensate and these are always a winner!

A stack of birthday funfetti pancakes with a candle on top, drizzled with vanilla icing
Top with a candle for the full birthday experience!

Important ingredients and why you should use them:

Buttermilk:
  1. Acidic nature: Buttermilk is slightly acidic, which reacts with baking soda (an alkaline leavening agent) in the batter. This reaction produces carbon dioxide gas, which helps the pancakes rise and become light and fluffy. The acidity of buttermilk also contributes to the overall flavour profile of the pancakes.
  2. Tenderising effect: The acid in buttermilk also helps to tenderise the gluten in the flour. Gluten is a protein that can make baked goods tough if there is too much of it. By using buttermilk, the pancakes are less likely to become overly chewy or tough.
  3. Moisture content: Buttermilk adds moisture to the pancake batter, resulting in a softer and more moist final product. This moisture content contributes to the desirable texture of pancakes.
  4. Flavour enhancement: Buttermilk imparts a distinct tangy flavor to pancakes, which adds complexity and richness to the overall taste. This flavour profile is appreciated by many people and complements the sweetness of the pancakes.

If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can make a substitute by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of milk and letting it sit for a few minutes to curdle. This DIY buttermilk substitute will provide a similar acidity and texture to your pancakes.

Good Quality Vanilla Extract:

For that classic birthday flavour, invest in a really good vanilla extract. I love Nielsen Massey.

Rainbow Sprinkles:

The best sprinkles are sprinkles that won't bleed or streak into your cake batter, you can consider a few options:

  1. Nonpareils: Nonpareils are tiny round sprinkles that are usually made from sugar and come in various colours. They are less likely to bleed into the batter compared to larger sprinkles.
  2. Quins: Quins are flat, disc-shaped sprinkles that are thicker than traditional sprinkles. Because of their shape and thickness, they are less likely to bleed into the batter.
  3. Natural Colour Sprinkles: Some sprinkles are made with natural colours, which might be less prone to bleeding compared to those with artificial colors. Look for sprinkles that use vegetable-based dyes or other natural colourings.
  4. Freeze Sprinkles: You can try freezing your sprinkles before adding them to the batter. The cold temperature may help to set the colour and reduce bleeding.
  5. Add Last Minute: Add the sprinkles to the batter just before baking. This minimizes the time the sprinkles spend in contact with the wet batter, reducing the chances of bleeding.
  6. Coating in Flour: Tossing the sprinkles in a bit of flour before adding them to the batter might help prevent bleeding. The flour creates a barrier between the sprinkles and the batter.

It's important to note that even with these precautions, some bleeding may still occur, especially if the sprinkles are in contact with the batter for an extended period. Testing different types of sprinkles and trying the techniques mentioned above can help you find the best solution for your specific recipe.