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Can you use pancake mix instead of cake mix?

Using pancake mix instead of cake mix is a common baking substitution. While you can use pancake mix to bake cakes, there are some differences between the two mixes that affect the end result.

Quick Answer

Yes, you can use pancake mix instead of cake mix to bake cakes. The main ingredients in pancake mix and cake mix are quite similar – flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. However, cakes made with pancake mix will be denser and more bread-like compared to cakes made with actual cake mix.

Pancake Mix vs Cake Mix Ingredients

To understand how pancake mix and cake mix differ, let’s look at the typical ingredients in each:

Pancake Mix Cake Mix
All-purpose flour All-purpose flour or cake flour
Baking powder Baking powder and/or baking soda
Salt Salt
Sugar Granulated white sugar
Vegetable oil or shortening
Egg(s)
Milk or buttermilk powder
Flavorings like vanilla

As you can see, the main dry ingredients are quite similar. However, cake mix contains some additional ingredients that pancake mix does not have.

Key Differences

Here are the key differences between pancake mix and cake mix:

  • Cake mix contains baking powder and baking soda for extra lift, while pancake mix only has baking powder.
  • Cake mix has powdered milk or buttermilk to make cakes moist. Pancake mix does not contain any dairy products.
  • Cake mix includes oil or shortening, which helps cakes retain moisture and gives a softer texture. Pancake mix does not have any added fats.
  • Cake mix often includes flavorings like vanilla extract. Pancake mix typically does not have any additional flavors.
  • Cake mix calls for whole eggs, while pancake mix uses just water.
  • Cake mix is made with plain sugar, while pancake mix may use maple syrup in lieu of sugar.

These differences in ingredients impact the texture, moisture, rise, and flavor of baked cakes vs pancakes. While you can tweak a pancake mix to work for cakes, it still won’t be exactly the same as using an actual cake mix.

Making Cake with Pancake Mix

If you want to bake a cake using pancake mix instead of cake mix, here are some tips:

Add Baking Soda

Cake mix contains both baking powder and baking soda to give cakes lift and make them light and airy. Since pancake mix only has baking powder, add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda per 1 cup of pancake mix.

Increase Sugar

Cake mix is sweeter than pancake mix. Increase the sugar in the pancake mix by 2-4 tablespoons per box to achieve a sweeter cake flavor.

Add Oil or Shortening

The fat from oil or shortening keeps cakes moist and tender. Add 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil per cup of pancake mix.

Use Whole Eggs

Substitute each 1 cup of water or milk with 1 large egg when making cakes with pancake mix. The proteins in eggs help cakes rise and improve the structure.

Add Extracts

Cake mixes use vanilla and other flavor extracts like almond. Add 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract or another complementary extract per box of pancake mix.

Use Milk Instead of Water

For added moisture, use milk instead of water when preparing the pancake mix batter. Whole milk or buttermilk work best.

Adjust Baking Time and Temperature

Since cakes made with pancake mix will be denser, bake them at a lower temperature (325°F instead of 350°F) and for 5-10 minutes longer to ensure the insides fully cook.

Cake Made With Pancake Mix Recipe

Here is a sample recipe to make a basic cake using pancake mix:

Ingredients

  • 1 box pancake mix (16 oz)
  • 1 1/4 cups milk
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the pancake mix, baking soda, sugar, and vanilla.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat together the milk, oil, and eggs until well combined.
  4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated (do not overmix).
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread into an even layer.
  6. Bake for 30-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Allow cake to cool completely before frosting and serving.

Pros and Cons of Using Pancake Mix for Cake

Here are some of the pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to use pancake mix instead of cake mix:

Pros

  • Pancake mix is more affordable and easier to keep stocked than cake mix
  • Makes an acceptable cake in a pinch when you don’t have cake mix on hand
  • Can modify recipes to improve moisture, rise, and flavor
  • Useful for simple snack cakes or desserts where texture isn’t as important

Cons

  • Does not provide the same light and tender crumb as cake made with actual cake mix
  • Might have a slight cornbread taste from the corn flour in pancake mix
  • Requires more adjustments to ingredients to achieve proper cake consistency
  • Not ideal for more layered or complex cakes
  • Lower protein content can result in tunnels or sunken sections

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use complete pancake mix instead of cake mix?

Yes, you can use complete or just-add-water pancake mixes instead of cake mix. However, the results will be denser and the texture not as refined. Adjust the recipe by adding more eggs, oil, sugar, and leavening agents.

What is the best pancake mix to use as cake mix?

Opt for plain or original pancake mixes rather than flavors like blueberry or chocolate chip. Buttermilk pancake mixes can provide extra moisture similar to what’s in cake mix. Avoid mixes with a lot of added sugar.

Can you use pancake mix instead of boxed brownie mix?

It’s not recommended. Brownie batter is denser than cake batter, and pancake mix alone would create very dense, potentially undercooked brownies. The texture would be quite different from boxed brownie mix.

Can you substitute pancake mix for muffin mix?

Yes, you can bake muffins using pancake mix. Follow the same tips of adding baking soda, oil or butter, eggs, sugar, milk, and extracts to get a muffin-like texture. The muffins will be more cornbread-like.

Can you use pancake mix instead of bread mixes like banana bread?

Pancake mix can work in some bread recipes that contain moisture-providing ingredients like mashed bananas. Adjust the recipe as needed to achieve a bread-like crumb. The texture may be a bit cakier with a fine, uniform crumb.

The Bottom Line

While pancake mix contains many of the same base ingredients as cake mix, the proportions vary. Cakes made solely with pancake mix will be denser and bread-like compared to proper cakes. However, with some simple ingredient tweaks like added baking soda, eggs, oil, and sugar, pancake mix can produce decent cakes in a pinch. Just don’t expect the same fluffy crumb and delicately sweet flavor as cakes made from actual cake mix. Test modifications to get the best possible results.