Waffles and ice creamcreate 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!

Three colorful waffles are on display, with one on a plate topped with a scoop of creamy ice cream and rainbow sprinkles. A bowl of delicious ice cream, a dish of sprinkles, and a red-striped cloth enhance the scene—a perfect pairing of waffles and ice cream.

This recipe is afun and sweet desserttwist onClassic Fluffy Buttermilk WafflesandExtra Light and Fluffy Homemade Waffles.You’re bound to love them if you have a sweet tooth like I do!

They’re made usingbox cake mix ingredients,but instead of pouring the batter into a baking pan,you scoop portions into your well-heated and greased waffle ironto get the signature checkered texture.

It’ll taste like cake butlook like a fulfilling breakfast staple,plus it’s perfect for catchingmelty ice cream, sprinkles, whipped cream, or anything elseyour heart desires to throw on top!

cake batter waffles with sprinkles and whipped cream.

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’sperfect 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 afun cooking activity with children.
Easy Recipe Makeover:This recipe takeswaffles from morning to after-dinner dessertwith a cake batter mix and some ice cream on top!
Customizable Creation: Set up a waffle bar withdifferent ice cream flavors and toppings, letting everyone build their perfect dessert combination.
Make-Ahead Magic: You can make the birthday wafflesahead 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 tryspecial waffles for dessertfor 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

A cooling rack holds round pink and golden brown waffles on top of a red-striped cloth. Nearby are a tub of ice cream with a scoop and a bowl of colorful sprinkles, all set against a white background.

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 liketoasted 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 beanfor 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

What are dessert waffles made of?

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!

What is the best cake mix for birthday cake waffles?

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.

How do you make sure your waffles don’t stick to the waffle iron?

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.

What type of ice cream pairs best with these waffles?

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 amini waffle ironfor 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 furtherby 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 for2-3 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.