Pancake mix donuts in the BabyCakes Donut Maker is a super-easy breakfast idea. (Don’t worry, you can also bake them in the oven.)
My daughters adore them. I even packed the leftovers in their lunchboxes the next day.
pancake mix donuts
Mixing up your favorite pancake mix and using the Donut Maker saves you the griddle time, but you can also bake them in the oven. This idea for pancake mix donuts (doughnuts?) in the Donut Maker came from my now-9 year old back when she was a mere 8.
(She wanted the credit, even though I swear I’m the one who suggested pulling out the BabyCakes Donut Maker. And I also used pancake mix to make these trail mix donuts years ago, but she always has creative ideas, so there’s a good chance she’s right.)
For the pancake mix, I used Aunt Jemima’s Whole Wheat Blend pancake and waffle mix, because they fortify it pretty well with vitamins and such things, so these feel healthy(-er). But you can use any pancake mix.
more donut maker recipes
For another easy doughnut recipe for the Donut Maker, this recipe is very popular. You can also use refrigerated biscuits to make 5-minute donuts.
donut variations
Sprinkle powdered sugar on top if you like, or dip them in maple syrup, or make maple glaze. My daughter’s favoritest-ever recipe for maple glaze is below.
Or add blueberries or chopped strawberries to the batter, bacon pieces, or even chocolate chips.
more awesome pancake ideas
Next time, I’m going to try adding some blueberries or bits of cooked bacon. Ooh, or maybe the batter from these beer and bacon pancakes! (If you like this idea, you might like these sheet pan pancakes for a crowd. )
How to make pancake mix donuts
The concept is simple. Mix up some pancake mix, with just a couple adjustments, and make them in the Donut Maker or oven instead of a skillet or griddle. That’s it.
you will need:
- pancake mix and mix-ins (egg, milk, oil)
- sugar
- non-stick cooking spray
- BabyCakes donut maker OR donut baking tray
The original pancake mix box instructions (Aunt Jemima) that I used call for 1 cup of mix, 3/4 cup of milk, 1 tablespoon oil, and 1 egg. Any pancake mix box that has comparable amounts (the same or close) will work. Stick with the box’s instructions, but make these adjustments:
Prepare pancake mix according to the package directions, but reduce milk or liquid by 1/4 cup. (If you feel the batter is too thick, slowly add a bit more milk. If you feel like it’s too thin, stir in some more pancake mix.)
Stir in one tablespoon of sugar (or more for sweeter donuts).
Spoon the batter into the preheated Donut Maker, between one and two tablespoons per cavity, close the lid and bake for the recommended time. I find that 4 minutes works well. Remove and enjoy. I got 15 donuts from my pancake mix.
You may also preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, lightly spray the donut baking tray with cooking spray, fill the cavities, and bake for about 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Easy maple glaze
Whisk together 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon maple syrup and 1 tablespoon milk. Add more powdered sugar for thicker glaze.
pancake mix donuts in the Babycakes DonutMaker
The best, easy baked donuts from pancake mix!
Ingredients
- pancake mix
- package ingredients
- powdered sugar
- maple syrup
- milk
Instructions
- To make pancake mix donuts, prepare panacake mix according to the package directions (basic directions should use about 1 cup of mix), but reduce milk or liquid by 1/4 cup. (If you feel the batter is too thick, slowly add a bit more milk. If you feel like it's too thin, stir in some more pancake mix.) Stir in one tablespoon of sugar (or more for sweeter donuts). Spoon the batter into the preheated Donut Maker, between one and two tablespoons per cavity, close the lid and bake for the recommended time. I find that 4 minutes works well. Remove and enjoy. I got 15 donuts from my pancake mix.
- For an easy maple glaze, whisk together 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon maple syrup and 1 tablespoon milk. Add more powdered sugar for thicker glaze.
Notes
You can also bake in a donut pan, lightly sprayed with non-stick spray, at 375 degrees F for about 15 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
15Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 55Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 45mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 0gSugar: 10gProtein: 1g
Morag says
These were so good, very moist and tender. I baked mine, and used Trader Joe’s pumpkin spice pancake and waffle mix. Great with the maple glaze. Thanks!!
meaghanmountford says
That’s so good to hear, thank you Morag! Ohmygosh, the pumpkin spice pancake mix with maple glaze sounds perfect!
Liz says
I bought a Babycakes 6-mini donut maker at a thrift shop. It looked like it had only been used a couple of times. I used a healthy vegan pancake mix, Birch Benders brand. It only calls for the addition of water to make. I wanted to add a little oil, but I was out of oil.
I made the mix a thick consistency. The mini donuts cooked really fast, but the top plate didn’t heat as well as the bottom, so I flipped them.
This is how they turned out: They were pretty well cooked inside, but a bit deflated on the side that was originally the top. The outside of the donuts was smooth and shiny (like a soft pretzel). The texture inside was okay, but I didn’t like the smooth, shiny outside. Is that how they always turn out? If anyone feels like giving advice on what I did wrong, let me know. I plan to try some of your other recipes. Great info. thank you!
Liz
meaghanmountford says
Hi Liz, That’s interesting about the outside of the donuts. You’re right, it shouldn’t be smooth and shiny. I wonder if it’s just the particular pancake mix, or if the donut maker had something going on with the Teflon. I find the top never heats as well as the bottom so I often flip them too. But I don’t understand what would have caused the outside to respond like that. I don’t think adding oil would’ve made a difference since the mix likely already had something comparable if it only required water.