Dessert Waffles: Cake Batter Waffles & Ice Cream
on Aug 10, 2019, Updated Feb 12, 2025
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Waffles and ice cream create the perfect mix of warm and cold in every bite. It’s the kind of simple dessert that makes any day feel special. You’ll have just as much fun making this sweet treat as you do eating it!
This recipe is a fun and sweet dessert twist on Classic Fluffy Buttermilk Waffles and Extra Light and Fluffy Homemade Waffles. You’re bound to love them if you have a sweet tooth like I do!
They’re made using box cake mix ingredients, but instead of pouring the batter into a baking pan, you scoop portions into your well-heated and greased waffle iron to get the signature checkered texture.
It’ll taste like cake but look like a fulfilling breakfast staple, plus it’s perfect for catching melty ice cream, sprinkles, whipped cream, or anything else your heart desires to throw on top!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Waffles & Ice Cream Recipe
- Recipe Ingredients
- Popular Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make Cake Batter Waffles with Ice Cream
- Recipe FAQs
- Expert Tips
- Storing Leftover Waffles
- Delicious Waffle Recipes To Try
- More Cake Mix Recipes to Consider
- Dessert Waffles: Cake Batter Waffles & Ice Cream Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Waffles & Ice Cream Recipe
- Fun and Festive: The cake batter flavor and colorful sprinkles make these waffles a fun and festive treat that’s perfect for celebrations, parties, or just a special dessert (or breakfast).
- Kid-Friendly: Kids will love these dessert waffles. They’re an excellent choice for family gatherings or a fun cooking activity with children.
- Easy Recipe Makeover: This recipe takes waffles from morning to after-dinner dessert with a cake batter mix and some ice cream on top!
- Customizable Creation: Set up a waffle bar with different ice cream flavors and toppings, letting everyone build their perfect dessert combination.
- Make-Ahead Magic: You can make the birthday waffles ahead of time and freeze them, then simply toast when ready to serve – perfect for spontaneous dessert cravings.
🧇 If you’re family isn’t a fan of sweet breakfast foods, then try special waffles for dessert for a different after-dinner treat!
Recipe Ingredients
- Box Cake Mix — Birthday cake and vanilla flavors are our faves!
- Ingredients Called for on Box of Cake Mix — generally oil, water, and eggs
- Ice Cream — for serving
- Additional Toppings — such as sprinkles or whipped cream, optional
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities
Popular Substitutions and Variations
- Cake Mix Magic: Transform these waffles using any flavor of cake mix – try red velvet for Valentine’s Day, spice cake for fall, or lemon for summer. Each different cake mix creates a whole new dessert experience while keeping the same simple preparation method.
- Mix-in Mania: Customize your waffle batter with add-ins like toasted pecans, fresh blueberries, or mini chocolate chips – just fold in about 1/2 cup of your chosen ingredients right before cooking. Remember that chunky mix-ins might require slightly longer cooking time for the perfect waffle.
- Ice Cream Pairings: Match your birthday waffles flavors with complementary ice cream – try funfetti cake mix waffles with birthday cake ice cream, chocolate cake mix with rocky road, or strawberry cake mix with vanilla bean for a classic combination.
How to Make Cake Batter Waffles with Ice Cream
Step 1: Preheat your waffle iron.
Step 2: Make the cake mix according to the package directions.
Step 3: Add the batter to your waffle iron and cook according to manufacturer instructions.
Step 4: Serve the hot waffles topped with ice cream and desired toppings.
Recipe FAQs
These cake batter dessert waffles are super simple to make — just pick up your favorite box cake at the store and anything else the box says to use in the batter. (Typically, it’s just oil, water, and eggs.) Top the waffles with your favorite ice cream, colorful sprinkles, whipped cream, or chocolate syrup!
This is totally up to personal preference… I tend to like using the Betty Crocker cake mixes for my dessert waffles, and I’ve used just about every type out there to much (tasty) success! Some of my favorites are Funfetti, Red Velvet, Lemon, and Devil’s Food.
Make sure you turn on your waffle iron and give it plenty of time to heat up and get really hot. Also, be sure to spray it thoroughly with cooking spray on both the top and bottom grates before pouring in each new batch of batter. Finally, allow these to cook a little longer than your waffle iron indicates. I like to leave them in for an extra minute or two to really make sure they’re cooked through and totally done.
Vanilla ice cream is a classic choice, but you can experiment with flavors like birthday cake, chocolate, or strawberry for a fun twist.
Expert Tips
- Fun Themes: These would be super easy to customize with your favorite sprinkles (design or color) to tie them in to whatever fun occasion you’re celebrating: birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc.
- Mini Waffles: Birthday cake waffles would be a great recipe to use with a mini waffle iron for a small sized treat.
- Sundae Idea: These make a great base for an ice cream sundae. Just add your hot fudge, caramel, whipped cream, and more.
- Unlimited Flavors: You can customize these waffles even further by adding vanilla or almond extract, a little lemon or orange zest, or even a little cinnamon, depending on what flavor of cake mix you choose to use. Orange goes so well with chocolate and so does cinnamon. A little extra vanilla would go well with Funfetti, white, or yellow cake.
Storing Leftover Waffles
To maintain the best quality of your leftover waffles, let them cool completely on a wire rack before storage. Place waxed paper or parchment paper between each waffle to prevent sticking, then store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy them, reheat frozen waffles directly in the toaster or toaster oven for the best texture — avoid microwaving as this can make them soggy.
Delicious Waffle Recipes To Try
Simple Gingerbread Recipes
Homemade Gingerbread Syrup: Cozy Holiday in a Bottle
15-Minute Recipes
Cornbread Waffles with Chili – 15 Minute Dinner Idea
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Dessert Waffles: Cake Batter Waffles & Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix
- Ingredients called for on box of cake mix, generally oil, water, and eggs
- Ice cream for serving
- Additional toppings, such as sprinkles or whipped cream, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your waffle iron according to manufacturer’s directions.
- In a large bowl prepare the cake mix according to package directions.
- Pour the batter into your waffle iron according to manufacturer’s directions.
- When the waffle is done cooking, carefully place it on a wire rack to cool, taking care not to stack the waffles on top of each other. Repeat with remaining batter.
- Serve waffles hot with your favorite ice cream and toppings on top.
Notes
- I have found that the cake batter waffles sometimes need a longer cooking time than traditional waffles. Don’t be afraid to cook it a little longer than you normally do.
- I have had luck using just about every cake mix under the sun, like Funfetti, Red Velvet, Lemon, Devil’s Food, and more.
- Be sure your waffle iron is hot and sprayed well with cooking spray before adding the cake batter to ensure the waffles don’t stick.
- Be careful not to overfill your waffle iron. It’s better to start with a little less and then increase it as you figure out how much it holds.
