Baking from scratch is ideal, but sometimes life gets in the way.
I love cake. Seriously. Cupcakes, pound cakes, layer cakes… You name it, I love them. The problem is that between soccer practice, batch cooking and keeping the dust bunnies at bay, to say nothing of work, I don’t always have time to whip up a beautiful chocolate cake ‘just because’.
Heck, even cupcakes for the school event that the kiddo mentioned this morning, and which are due at the classroom tomorrow, can throw a wrench in my day. So I’ve made peace with cake mix. It’s my friend now and after you finish reading these hacks, my guess is that it will be yours too!
Improve the flavours
Vegetable oil doesn’t add much to the taste of cake mix but it’s the necessary ‘fat’ that the recipe will always call for. Replacing the oil with melted butter would make even Julia Child a little bit proud and will take your cake up to bakery level flavour.
Instead of water, use milk. It adds to the flavour and improves the texture too. Chocolate milk ramps up a standard chocolate cake mixture or you could also use buttermilk but if you do, add a little more than a one-to-one ratio. Want to get to the next level of yum? Replace the water, again on a one-to-one basis, with… wait for it… melted ice cream. Chocolate cake could become chocolate rocky road cake. Just think of the possibilities!
You can also turn plain old chocolate cake into mouthwatering mocha heaven by replacing the water with coffee. And if you use boiling water or coffee instead of cold or room temperature, your chocolate cake mix will taste extra chocolate-y and rich.
If you find the standard yellow cake too sweet, add lemon juice and zest. Presto: instant tartness to cut through the sweet.
Add some height and texture
Adding an egg to the recipe will give your cake a fluffier texture and more height. So if you’re going to for a layer cake, this could be just the ticket.
Another option is to add two tablespoons of mayonnaise. It will add a creamy texture to an otherwise standard box mix.
More is better
You can add things to a cake mix without much risk to the end product: shredded coconut, chopped nuts, sprinkles, raisins… whatever you want! You are only limited by what’s in your pantry! Dip into the vanilla or rum extract for extra fun and flavour, or how about some pumpkin spice in the yellow cake? The beauty of mixes is that they simply set the stage: it’s up to you to put on the full production and create your own flavour combinations.
Add a layer of jam or jelly to a cake made from box of devil’s food cake mix sing. A little whipped cream, some shaved chocolate… your family and friends will think you slaved for hours!
Feel like cookies instead?
Go ahead and use your boxed cake mix to whip up a batch of cookies! Take a standard yellow cake mix and add:
- Half a cup of butter
- A tablespoon of milk
- A teaspoon of vanilla
- One egg
Mix it all together and add in chocolate chips, nuts or whatever you want.
Dollop onto your cookie sheet, as you would any other cookie batter and bake for 10 – 12 minutes in a 350F degree oven. Easy peasy!
Feeling Canadian?
This recipe from the Food Network Canada can only be made here in Canada. Why? Because you need a Timbit and boxed vanilla cake mix to pull it off. Trust me, eh?
Do you have any cake mix hacks you want to share with us? Shhh… I won’t tell anyone!
Easy Cake Mix Hacks
What can't you do with a box of cake mix? Make cookies, cakes, cobblers, dips and more!
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
A simple recipe for Caramel Apple Dump cake made with butter pecan cake mix and apple pie filling!
Fool's Cake
A simple, fool-proof cake everyone loves! This yummy dessert has layers of walnuts, yellow cake, coconut and pineapple. Perfect for potlucks!
Blueberry Upside Down Cake
So simple to whip up using fresh summer blueberries! Made with cake mix to save on time.
Cake Mix Cobbler
The most simple fruit cobbler recipe ever – Cake Mix Cobbler! It’s made with only three ingredients – cake mix, frozen fruit and pop!
Cake Mix Donuts
Cake mix donuts are a fun and easy dessert made with just 4 ingredients. You’ll want them for breakfast and dessert!
Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
You are going to love this 3-ingredient chocolate cherry dump cake. Not only is it ridiculously easy to make, but it tastes incredible too!
Confetti Bars
Kids love Confetti Bars! These cake mix cookie bars are so delicious and incredibly easy to make. All you need is a yellow cake mix, a stick of butter, an egg, sprinkles and white chocolate chips.
EASY Funfetti Cookies
Funfetti cookies are a quick and easy cookie to make. These soft and delicious cookies start with a cake mix making them one of the easiest cookies you will ever make.
Apple Bundt Cake with Butterscotch Sauce
This apple bundt cake is a hit at every holiday party! Made with fresh apples, cinnamon, and vanilla cake mix it is decadently moist and super delicious.
Oreo Pudding Poke Cake
Oreo Pudding Poke Cake is chocolatey, fluffy, and simple to make. A fudgy cake is loaded with white chocolate pudding and studded with a creamy whipped topping and lots of Oreo cookies. The easiest, most delicious cake!
Easy Butterfinger Bundt Cake
This impressive Butterfinger cake is easy to make using 2 boxes of cake mix! (And leftover Halloween candy).
Peach Dump Cake
Full of warm, fall flavor, this peach dump cake recipe is the answer for a cozy warm night in!
St. Louis Style Gooey Butter Cake Cookies Recipe
The best, simple holiday cake cookie recipe! These Gooey Butter Cake Cookies are sweet, buttery and super moist. These cookies are perfect for the Christmas cookie season.
Chocolate Cherry Fudge Bundt Cake
Rich, delicious chocolate cake with bit of cherry and a drizzle of glaze is a perfect ending to any meal. Luckily this cake is easy to make and every bit as tasty as it looks.
Carrot Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies
Craving carrot cake? How about making these easy cookies? Carrot Cake Mix cookies are easy to make, and are loaded with carrot bits, raisins, and warm spices. Made from a box, they have a perfectly sweet, vibrant, spice flavor. Rolled in powdered sugar, they bake up to a perfectly fluffy, crinkle cookie with few ingredients.
Cinnamon Chip Biscotti
Cinnamon Chip Biscotti are cookies crunchy enough for dunking, yet just as enticing to nibble on its own. Made quickly and easily by starting out with a cake mix!
Coconut Cream Pie Poke Cake
Coconut Cream Pie Poke Cake is a traditional cake topped with my favorite old fashioned coconut cream pie filling, whipped cream and toasted coconut. The best of both worlds!
Oreo Chocolate Cheesecake Cake
This Oreo Chocolate Cheesecake Cake is a chocolately bundt cake recipe with an Oreo cheesecake filling.
COOKIES N' CREAM CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Cookies n’ Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies made easy with cake batter, chocolate chips, and chocolate cookies. The perfect quick and easy dessert for anytime!
Cake Mix Blueberry Muffins
Cake mix blueberry muffins are easy and quick to make. They're also simply delicious!
Tres Leches Cake
A sweet and decadent semi-homemade tres leches cake recipe. This Latin inspired dessert, flavored with three milks, is sure to become a household favorite.
Cake Mix Peach Cobbler
This Cake Mix Peach Cobbler recipe is easy to make and the perfect summer comfort food. It serves eight and costs $6.71 to make. That’s just 84¢ per serving.
How to Make Cake Pops with Cake Mix
It’s really easy to learn how to make cake pops with cake mix. Mix the batter up and in 5 minutes or less of bake time, you too can be enjoying these bites of deliciousness.
Chocolate Dunkaroo Dip
Just 3 ingredients transform a box of chocolate cake kid into your childhood favorite: Dunkaroo Dip!!!!
Easy Maple Pecan Angel Food Cake
This easy Maple Pecan Angel Food Cake is a light bite of all the warm flavors of fall. It starts with a cake mix and ends with deliciousness!
Cake Mix Hummingbird Cake
This cake mix hummingbird cake is a simpler version of the classic dessert. Frosted with cream cheese frosting, it's hard to beat!
Carrot Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls
I’ve been making these soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls for so long and they turn out perfect every time! Only 7 ingredients and a breeze to make!
Easy Ricotta Cake Recipe (with Cake Mix)
This delicious Italian ricotta cake is easy to make and oh-so-delicious with a layer of moist butter cake and a creamy ricotta filling.
The Best Pumpkin Crunch Cake
The Best Pumpkin Crunch Cake, with or without a cake mix. Pumpkin crunch cake, pumpkin dump cake or pumpkin pie cake is the perfect holiday brunch cake.
Birthday Cake Mix Waffles
Cake mix waffles are the best birthday breakfast. Doused in whipped cream, maple syrup and sprinkles. these waffles are easy and fun to make!
Stephanie says
I’ve always added an extra egg for extra fluffiness. I’ve never thought about adding milk or buttermilk, though, that seems brilliant.
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Judy Cowan says
Thanks, will have to try some of these hacks out.
kathy downey says
Thanks for sharing,most of hacks i honestly didn’t know !
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
Brilliant hacks, thanks for sharing with us Stacie. 🙂
Ron says
Have never tried making cookies from a cake mix but that’s a great idea.
Soozle says
Really great ideas! I have made cookies before from a cake mix and they were a HUGE hit! I like the idea of using flavored milk in place of water
Stephanie LaPlante says
These are all awesome ideas. Thanks for sharing!
Marina says
I’m no cook that’s for sure. So I’ve always used boxed cakes but you are right, they are pretty insipid. What a great idea to switch the oil for butter and the water for Melted Ice cream. Whoa. That sounds amazing!
Kristi F says
I never have thought to use butter instead of oil but that would definitely give great flavour.
Elaine Buonsante says
Great ideas…I’ve added these tips to my recipe file, Thanks you!