No, you're not dreaming. Yes, you can (and should) be using pancake mix to bake high-protein bread.

We recently discovered that a good ol’ box of pancake mix can do so much more than produce a sky-high stack of fluffy flapjacks for breakfast. Instead, with just a few modifications to the package's instructions and a couple of extra protein-packed ingredients, you’ll be well on your way to a luscious loaf of bread using the pancake mix as your base. Genius.

In this iteration of pancake protein bread, we’re going sweet and festive with a birthday cake-style loaf that’s ideal for special occasions or treating yourself to a healthy dose of self-love whenever you need it. So, who’s with me?

How to turn your pancake mix into a high-protein loaf of bread

In a recent Instagram post by @ambitiouskitchen, we learned that you can easily transform store-bought pancake mix into the (high-protein) birthday bread of your dreams. To make it, Monique, the creator behind Ambitious Kitchen, doctors up a bag of King Arthur Confetti Pancake Mix and, poof, turns it into a birthday-themed masterpiece that soon gets showered in sprinkles.

Normally, activating the pancake mix is a “just add water” type of deal. However, to turn it into bread, you’ll need to add a few pantry staple ingredients into the mix—namely, eggs, milk, butter, vanilla, and almond extracts.

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For the recipe, Monique adds one and one-quarter cups of milk (you can use whichever kind you prefer), one egg, two tablespoons of melted butter (or coconut oil, for dairy-free folks), a quarter teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a quarter teaspoon of almond extract in a large bowl and whisks it until thoroughly combined. Then two and a half cups of the pancake mix go into the bowl, and she combines the wet and dry ingredients until smooth. Next, Monique pours the batter into a greased, parchment paper-lined 8 x 4-inch loaf pan and bakes the mixture at 350°F for 45 minutes (or until a cake tester comes out clean when inserted in the center).

Finally, Monique allows the birthday bread to cool completely; once it’s room temperature, she adds an optional (but strongly recommended) glaze on top. To make it, she whisks together one-half cup of powdered sugar, one and a half tablespoons of melted butter, one-quarter teaspoon of vanilla extract, one tablespoon of milk, and a pinch of salt. Lastly, she tops the glazed loaf with tons of sprinkles for an extra dash of dopamine-inducing joy.

The proof is in the pudding bread. When Monique slices through the loaf, you see the impeccable center: fluffy, soft, and begging for a bite.

Why we’re so in love with this pancake protein bread 

To clue you in on a little secret: The recipe also can be made in savory versions. Aside from confetti flavor, King Arthur sells other pancake mix flavors like Keto Wheat, Gluten-Free Protein, or Buttermilk. All of which can easily be adapted into savory bread recipes, like everything but the bagel or jalapeño cheddar. And if birthday cake isn’t quite your vibe, try other sweet delicacies like blueberry lemon or blood orange poppy seed. The options are endless; whether you choose a sweet or savory version, there's no going wrong.

What’s more, the pancake mix in and of itself contains many health benefits. For starters, there are about four grams of protein and 127 milligrams of calcium (about 10 percent of your daily intake) per every third cup of the dry mix. And the addition of milk and eggs in the doctored-up loaf recipe also gives this recipe a boost of protein. Bonus: King Arthur’s pancake mix products are made free of artificial flavors, dyes, and preservatives.

Learn how to make an easy and healthy banana bread recipe in mere minutes, so your bananas never go to waste ever again:

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