9 Best Ways to Elevate Cake Mix

Try these tricks to make anything taste homemade!

By Bridget EdwardsPublished: Aug 17, 2023

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7 Ratings

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Bake at 350/The Pioneer Woman

Raise your hand if you've ever used a boxed cake mix! 🙌

Let's agree that while we'd all prefer a homemade cake, sometimes a cake mix is an easy shortcut that works last minute. My two favorite examples of using cake mix include Ree Drummond's Christmas Rum Cake and these caramel brownies. Those are two downright delicious desserts!

Using just a handful of tricks, any cake mix can taste more like homemade. For instance, a homemade frosting will take your cake to the next level. This fluffy mocha frosting recipe pairs perfectly with yellow or chocolate cake and is practically swoon-worthy. What about the other cake mix flavors, you ask? We've got ideas for those, too: The nostalgic Ooey Gooey Butter Cake uses a box of yellow cake mix; if you're a fan of vanilla cake with sprinkles, then you'll love baking a batch of Cake Mix Cookies!

To upgrade your boxed cake mix, choose any ideas on this list below—or combine a few!

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Yields:: 8 serving(s)
Prep Time:: 15 mins
Total Time:: 15 mins

Ingredients

For the Mocha Frosting:

1/2 c.
unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 c.
salted butter, room temperature
1 c.
natural unsweetened cocoa
2 1/2 tsp.
espresso powder
1 1/2 tsp.
vanilla extract
5 c.
powdered sugar
5 tbsp.
milk, or more as needed

Directions

1. Step 1Beat butter until creamy. Beat in cocoa, mixing until combined. Stir espresso into vanilla extract then mix into the cocoa/butter mixture. Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl.
2. Step 2Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, alternating with milk. Beat each time until combined, scraping down the bowl as needed. Once all of the milk and sugar has been added, increase mixer speed and beat until fluffy. Add more sugar or milk as needed for consistency.

Note: Makes enough to frost one 2-layer cake.

Bake at 350/The Pioneer Woman

Here are some of the simple swaps and additions you can make to boxed cake mix:

Use an extra egg: Most boxed mixes will call for three 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 and 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 vanilla 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 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 frosting recipe above on a devil's food cake or yellow cake.

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