The Best Recipes Using Pancake Mix (Beyond Regular Old Pancakes)
The standard stack of pancakes for Maslenitsa is a little on the nose, isn’t it? This year, why not surprise yourself with pancakes other than pancakes? Pancake mix is surprisingly versatile and forgiving, so you can get creative this year for Mardi Gras. Grab a box of trail mix and make yourself a creative treat.
Funnel cake
I bet you can make a funnel cake with pancake mix and you won’t need a vat of butter to make it like you did at the State Fair. Knead a thick dough by adding a small amount of water to the dry pancake mixture. Use a piping bag or ziplock bag with the corner cut off to pour the batter into the hot oil pan. Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar while the cakes are still hot. Don’t forget to add a little more (for good luck).
IHOP’s Famous Omelet
In case you didn’t know, iHOP’s famous omelet has a not-so-secret ingredient: pancake batter. The result is a bouncy egg that will instantly transport your mood straight to the breakfast chain . Check out this golden ratio to make your own copycat springy, slightly sweet omelet.
Pancake casserole
Enjoy sweet and savory with this Bacon, Egg and Cheese Pancake Casserole . The fluffy, slightly sweet quick bread dough floats to the surface, bakes on top of the eggs, and creates a dish with layers of flavor. You can personalize your pancake casserole by adding chopped meat, cheese, or steamed vegetables.
Fluffy apple fritters
One of the easiest and most delicious apple fritter recipes uses a box of pancake mix and just adds water to create a moist, flavorful batter. All you need is a sliced apple and some frying oil to go with the pancakes. Follow the recipe here to learn the proportions and make an easy vanilla frosting.
Easy pancake donuts
Apple fritters are light and fluffy, but you can use the same pancake mix with a different liquid ratio to make chocolate-covered cake donuts (or any other cake donut). Simply add cocoa powder and water to form a thick dough and use cookie cutters to create a classic donut shape. Fry and freeze donuts for a happy Maslenitsa.
Loaf of pancake bread
Pancakes are usually the star of the plate, but sweet, malty bread can also play a crucial supporting role in a breakfast sandwich. Instead of standing in front of the pan and slowly turning the tortillas, pour the batter into the loaf pan and let the oven take care of everything. Soon you’ll have moist, flavorful, sliceable pancake bread that can be topped with whatever sandwich filling you want. Read the recipe here .
Cookie pancakes
Maslenitsa shouldn’t be complete without round ballet shoes, but let’s make them special. Replace some of the dry pancake mix with finely crushed cookie crumbs, then stir into the liquid and fry as usual. The result is pancakes that taste like cookies and are a little sweeter than the classic pancakes.
Rascal Bleaney
I imagine someone like Martha Stewart celebrating Maslenitsa with pancakes and caviar. While I may not be the Queen of the whole house, I can stage it in my apartment—especially with a plate of cheat pancakes . Use the reduced pancake mix to make your own batch and top with smoked salmon, crème fraîche and caviar. I’ll go with the cream cheese and bacon here.
One giant pancake
If you need a batch of pancakes to feed a crowd and can’t hover over a griddle for 30 minutes, cook a large pancake on a baking sheet. Pour the batter into a greased baking tray and bake until puffed and lightly browned. You can even add toppings like chocolate chips or banana slices before baking. Slice it and serve. Read more about large sheet pancakes here.