Box Cake Mix Hacks Turn Ordinary Into Bakery Quality Cakes

Turn ordinary and boring box cake mix into homemade cakes that taste like bakery quality slices of heaven with these box cake mix hacks.

Hello, Kenarry readers! I’m Pam from The Birch Cottage, and I’m back again this month sharing with you a baker’s dozen box cake mix hacks. 

I love making handmade or homemade gifts, including baked goods. Although I think box cake mixes are convenient, I really do prefer to make my own cake mix.

However, I’ve learned that there are plenty of box cake mix hacks to use that will turn a boring box cake mix into homemade masterpieces. These little touches really do make a big impact.  Plus, if you improvise or use these box cake mix hacks, that means it’s really homemade right?!

By the way, these cupcakes really were homemade from a box, but made better by using a couple of the box cake mix hacks below. 

Box Cake Mix Hacks

You have to admit, cake mix from a box is convenient, even if it’s a little boring. But, did you know you can take a boring box of cake mix and make it taste extraordinary like a little slice of homemade goodness? 

There are so many ways to make a box cake mix taste like homemade, plus it’s super easy. Once you know that you can customize box cake mix, your homemade cakes will never be boring again! Here are a few tips, recipe ideas and hacks for taking a boring box of cake mix and making it something truly homemade.

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Let’s dig into these box cake mix hacks, shall we? 

1. Substitute Milk for Water

Water is tasteless. Milk is rich. Substituting milk for water in your box cake mix recipe will not only ever so slightly thicken the batter and make for a denser cake, it will also make for a richer and more moist tasting cake.

2. Substitute Butter for Oil 

Remember what I said about water being tasteless and milk being rich? Well, that’s even more so when you compare oil to butter. Butter simply takes boring box cake mix to a whole new homemade taste level! However, if you substitute butter for oil, you’ll want to double the amount of butter. If the recipe calls for 1/3 cup oil, you’ll use 2/3 cup melted butter instead.

3. Substitute Coffee for Water

Substitute strong brewed coffee for water in box chocolate cake mix to deepen the flavor. 

4. Substitute Ice Cream for Oil and Water

I know what you’re thinking, but this one little substitution is a whole game changer for taking box cake mix to the homemade level and beyond! Simply substitute a pint of your favorite premium brand ice cream (about 2 cups) that you’ve allowed to melt for the oil and water. No frosting even needed! And the flavor combinations are endless! 

5. Add Vanilla

This is probably my favorite box cake mix hack. Simply add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to one box of cake mix. And, please, use real vanilla extract. You can even learn to make your own vanilla extract.  

6. Add Lemon Zest

I think lemon zest adds the perfect touch of homemade goodness. Just add the zest from one or two lemons and maybe a tablespoon of juice to a box of white cake mix. Heavenly!

7. Add Sour Cream

Add ½ cup sour cream and your cake will be richer tasting and more dense.

8. Add More Eggs

Did you know that simply making your box cake mix with 3 or 4 eggs instead of 2 makes for a richer and denser cake? Whatever your box cake mix calls for, simply add 1 or 2 extra eggs!

9. Add Mayo

Since mayonnaise is made from eggs and oil, it’s the perfect addition to your box cake mix. Simply add a couple tablespoons or up to 1 cup of mayo to your batter.

10. Add Spices

Turn ordinary white cake mix or boring yellow cake mix into spice cake by adding spices. Simply add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, and ¼ teaspoon allspice or cloves. 

11. Add Pudding

Add one 3.4 oz box of instant pudding to any box of cake mix to add extra moisture and a denser texture. Just like with the Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Pudding Cookies, it definitely makes box cake mix taste homemade. 

12. Use Soda

You can create totally surprising flavor combinations by simply using one 12 oz can of soda with one box of dry cake mix. No other ingredients necessary. Then bake as directed. Here are some flavor combinations to consider:

• Combine French Vanilla Cake Mix and Orange Soda for a Creamsicle Cake
• Combine Spice Cake Mix and Ginger Ale for a Spiced Ginger Cake
• Combine White Cake Mix and Peach Mango for a Peach Mango Cake
• Combine Strawberry Cake Mix and Vanilla Cream Soda for a Strawberry Shortcake
• Combine French Vanilla Cake Mix and Grape Soda for a Purple Cow Cake
• Combine Dark Chocolate Cake Mix and Root Beer for a Chocolate Root Beer Float Cake
• Combine Lemon Cake Mix and Sprite for a Zesty Lemon Cake

13. Use Hot Water

When preparing chocolate cake mix, instead of using cold water as the package directs, use hot water instead. The hot water allows the cocoa in the mix to really bloom and gives your cake an even richer chocolate flavor.

14. Sugar-Free Cake Mix Hack

I know I said I’d give you 13 hacks, for a nice baker’s dozen, but did you know you can use hack #12 above to make a sugar-free and lower calorie cake? Yep! Just buy sugar-free cake mix and use your favorite flavor of diet soda. Again, no other ingredients needed! 

Please note that I’m not trying to say cake is healthy, by any means. But you can certainly lower the calories and make it sugar-free by making a couple of substitutions. So, I guess you can have your cake and eat it, too! 

By the way, if you want to try a low carb and keto friendly dessert, you’ve just gotta try my Keto Pecan Filled Strawberry Cheesecake. It’s made in the InstantPot and it’s absolutely life changing! 

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Box Cake Mix Recipe Ideas 

Small Batch Cupcakes

Strawberry Gelatin Poke Cake

You may also enjoy these recipe ideas on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® –

• No Bake Cherry Pie Ice Box Cake
• Ultimate Chocolate Cake Recipe from a Box
• Pineapple Upside Down Cupcake Muffins

I hope you’ll find these box cake mix hacks helpful. They really will help you take your box cake mix recipes to the next level of yummyness! 

Happy baking!