9 Ways to Elevate Cake Mix by Bridget

Raise your hand if you’ve ever used a cake mix.

Let’s agree that, while we’d all prefer a homemade cake, sometimes a cake mix comes in handy or is the perfect ingredient in a recipe. My two favorite examples of cake mix love are Ree’s Christmas Rum Cake and these Caramel Brownies. Those are two downright delicious desserts made using cake mix.

Using just a handful of tricks, any cake mix can taste more like homemade. Chose any ideas on this list—or combine a few!

 
 

Use an extra egg

Most boxed mixes will call for 3 eggs. Use four for a cake that’s richer-tasting and moister. This tip is one I use practically every time I make a boxed cake mix.

 
 

Substitute dairy

Replace the water called for on the package with dairy. My favorite is buttermilk for that little bit of tang. Dairy adds fat and makes for a more homemade-tasting cake.

 
 

Replace water with other liquids

If you’re not going the dairy route, replace the water with another liquid for added flavor. Use coffee for a deep, dark chocolate cake, or ginger ale in light and bright yellow cake. Combine with dairy to get the added fat by using 3/4 cup liquid and 1/4 cup sour cream or buttermilk.

 
 

Add a mix-in

Mix-ins always make a cake special and taste more like homemade. A combo I love is cream of coconut plus shredded coconut. Fold the mix-in into the batter last, adding up to 1 cup.

 
 

Go all-citrus

Make a cake with a citrus punch, replacing the water with juice and adding lots of zest. Try orange, lemon, or lemon-lime. Add lemon and lime zest to a cake made with lemon-lime soda for the liquid.

 
 

Add extracts

A little more vanilla is never a bad thing. Boost the flavor with an extra teaspoon or so of extract. Vanilla is always an excellent choice, but any extract can enhance a flavor. How about a teaspoon of almond extract in that strawberry cake mix?

 
 

Put some pudding in the mix

Add a small box of pudding mix in with the cake mix. (Don’t make the pudding.) The mix adds additional flavor, moistness, and a denser texture.

 
 

Make a filling

A filling in the center definitely screams (or at least politely says) “homemade!” Make a simple one by stirring together a cup of mini chocolate chips with 1/2 cup light brown sugar and 1/2 cup chopped pecans. Pour the 1/2 of the cake batter into a Bundt pan. Top with the filling mixture. Cover the filling with the remaining cake batter and bake.

 
 

Frost with a homemade frosting

Now, I’ll admit to liking canned frosting—but spread on graham crackers, not cakes. To elevate a cake mix cake, top with a homemade frosting. It doesn’t have to be fancy or time-consuming, but a homemade frosting will take your cake to the next level. Try the Fluffy Mocha Frosting here on a Devil’s Food or Yellow Cake.

 
 

You know what’s weird? I have a sudden craving for cake. You too? If you’ve tried any of the tips or have others of your own, I’d love to hear them!