How to Make Pancakes Cakey, Dry, and Extra Fluffy! 🥞
If you love thicker, drier, cake-like pancakes, you’re not alone! While most people chase light and airy pancakes, there’s something satisfying about a dense, fluffy bite that holds its shape and has a more substantial texture.
One of our community members recently asked:
👉 "I want my pancakes to be cakey and dry inside. Fluffy!"
So today, we’re diving into the best tricks to get that perfect cake-like pancake texture—thick, fluffy, and just the right amount of dry inside!
🥞 What Makes Pancakes Cakey and Dry?
The key to cakey pancakes is getting the right balance of structure and fluff—you need enough dry ingredients to firm them up while keeping just the right amount of lift.
Here’s what influences pancake texture the most:
✔️ Flour to Liquid Ratio – More flour makes them thicker and more structured.
✔️ Eggs & Fats – More eggs = softer pancakes; less egg = firmer texture.
✔️ Leavening (Baking Powder/Soda) – This affects how much they rise.
✔️ Cooking Temperature – Lower heat ensures they cook through without too much moisture.
🔥 5 Simple Tweaks for the Perfect Cakey Pancakes
1. Reduce the Liquid for a Thicker Batter
Fluffy, cakey pancakes need a thicker batter—if it’s too runny, they’ll turn out soft and airy instead of dense.
👉 Try reducing milk or buttermilk by ¼ cup to make your batter thick enough to hold its shape when poured.
💡 Pro Tip: You want the batter to be scoopable, not pourable!
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2. Add More Flour (and Slightly Less Egg)
Flour provides structure, while eggs contribute to moisture. To make pancakes more cakey:
✔️ Add ¼ cup more flour to absorb excess moisture.
✔️ Reduce eggs slightly (for example, if your recipe calls for 2 eggs, use 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk instead).
This adjustment creates a firmer, more structured pancake while still allowing some fluff.
3. Increase the Baking Powder for More Lift
If your pancakes are turning out too dense, they might need a little extra help to rise.
💡 Try this: Add ½ teaspoon more baking powder than your usual recipe calls for.
Baking powder creates air pockets, which help achieve height without making them too airy.
4. Let the Batter Rest Before Cooking
Letting your batter sit for 10-15 minutes before cooking allows the flour to fully absorb the liquid, thickening the batter and resulting in a firmer, more structured pancake.
🔥 Bonus Tip: If you want an even cakier texture, refrigerate the batter for 30 minutes before cooking!
5. Cook on Medium-Low Heat for an Even Texture
Cooking on high heat can cause pancakes to cook too fast on the outside while staying wet inside. For the best cakey texture:
✔️ Set your pan or griddle to medium-low heat.
✔️ Let the pancakes cook slowly for 2-3 minutes per side to ensure they firm up inside.
✔️ Flip when bubbles appear and the edges look set, not wet.
💡 Pro Tip: Cooking with a bit of butter in the pan adds a slight crisp to the edges while keeping the inside firm.
✨ Final Recipe Adjustment for Cakey Pancakes
Here’s how you can tweak any pancake recipe for that perfect thick and dry texture:
📝 Start with your favorite pancake recipe, then adjust:
✔️ Reduce liquid by ¼ cup
✔️ Increase flour by ¼ cup
✔️ Use 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk (instead of 2 full eggs)
✔️ Add ½ teaspoon extra baking powder
✔️ Let the batter rest for 10-15 minutes before cooking
✔️ Cook on medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes per side
Try these tweaks, and you’ll get the perfect cakey pancakes every time! 🥞✨
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🥞 Join Our Pancake & Baking Community! 🥞
Love talking about pancakes, sharing recipes, and learning new baking tips? Join our free Facebook group – KPKitchen Pancakes & Beyond: A Baking Community – where pancake lovers and home bakers come together to share their best tricks, favorite recipes, and delicious creations! 🎉
👥 Inside the group, you’ll find:
✔️ Fun pancake and baking discussions 🍪
✔️ Weekly baking challenges 🎯
✔️ Exclusive tips & tricks to perfect your recipes ✨
✔️ A warm, friendly community of fellow bakers 💙
Let’s make baking more fun – together! 🥞🎂👩🍳