Yes, it is possible to make a boxed cake taste like you bought it from a bakery! What is crazy is how easy it really is. All you have to do is substitute the ingredients a bit. What I do is substitute the oil with i cup of melted, room temp butter, I substitute water with 1 cup of room temp milk, and instead of 3 eggs, I use 4 eggs. I also add a dash of vanilla extract and that’s it!
A trick on the cake icing is to whip it in the mixer for a bit. It volumizes the icing and makes it much creamier. You can even add a block of Cream Cheese if you want to make it even more full of flavor then add a bit of extract to it to enhance the flavor. So now you have my secrets and how I do mine.
Elevate Boxed Cake Mix
Substitutions
While most boxed cake mixes require eggs, vegetable oil, and water, many homemade cakes are prepared using butter and dairy. Using room temp melted butter can elevate the taste of your cake and result in a moist, delicate crumb. Replace the quantity of oil indicated on the cake mix box with 1 cup of melted unsalted butter. If you prefer a slightly salty flavor in your desserts to offset the sweetness, consider using salted butter instead. Replace the quantity of water with 1 cup room temp milk. Add 1 egg additional to what the box ingredients require. Most box cake mixes require 3 eggs to make; therefore, use 4 eggs. Also add a dash of vanilla extract to enhance the flavor a bit.
Enhance With Extracts
Cake mixes typically contain artificial flavorings, contributing to their specific cake mix taste. To enhance the flavor and make it resemble a homemade cake, consider adding one to two teaspoons of pure extract. Opt for pure vanilla extract or pure almond extract, or experiment with lemon extract or orange extract combined with fresh citrus zest. For a more intense flavor, you can use vanilla bean paste or fresh vanilla beans, although they are pricier options.
Include Sour Cream or Mayo
If you desire a moist and tender cake, consider adding two tablespoons of sour cream or mayonnaise when combining the wet and dry ingredients.
Mix in Nuts
To enhance a plain cake, try incorporating nuts into the batter, as commonly found in carrot or hummingbird cakes. Add 1 cup of chopped pecans or chopped walnuts before pouring the batter into the prepared cake pan. This addition complements white, yellow, or spice cake mixes.
Prepare Homemade Frosting
While baking a cake from scratch may involve a lengthy list of ingredients, making homemade frosting is a simpler task. Instead of using store-bought frosting, create your own buttercream or cream cheese frosting to enhance the overall taste of your cake.
Layer Your Cake with Fillings
If you want to impress your guests with a fancy dessert, consider using a box mix for the base. Bake two or three 8-inch cake rounds, and prepare a homemade filling and frosting to assemble it all! Whether it’s homemade lemon curd, strawberry cake filling (as mentioned above), or whipped ganache, your guests are sure to be impressed.
Transform It Into a Poke Cake
Did you enjoy poke cakes as a treat growing up? Recreate this classic using your cake mix as the foundation. Bake the cake, let it cool and then chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, then use a wooden pick to create holes all over the top. Prepare your favorite small box of jell-o and pour it over the cake then top it off with cool whip or your favorite homemade frosting. This will elevate the flavor and bring back fond memories.
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Elevated Boxed Cake Mix to Homemade Perfection
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 1 Cake 1x
Instructions
- Pre-heat Heat oven to 350°F for aluminum or glass pan or 325°F for nonstick pan. Grease bottom only of 13”x 9” pan or bottom and sides of all other pans.
- Mix Cake Mix, room temp milk, and room temp butter as well as the eggs in large bowl with mixer on medium speed or beat vigorously by hand 2 minutes. Add a dash of vanilla extract and mix thoroughly. Pour into pan.
- Bake as directed on box or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan. Cool completely before frosting.
- Pan Size | 13”x 9” | Two 8” Rounds | Two 9” Rounds | Bundt® | Cupcakes (makes 22)
- For Cupcakes: Heat oven to 375°F for aluminum pan or 350°F for nonstick pan. Spoon batter into cups (about 3 Tbsp each)
Notes
Don’t forget with the Cake Icing to scoop it all into your mixer bowl and mix vigorously until it is whipped up nicely. It will be creamy smooth after this process.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Cake
- Method: Baking
You might be interested in exploring more about the art of baking and how to enhance your cake-making skills. Speaking of cake mixes, you might find it helpful to learn more about the history of cake and how different cultures have their own unique recipes. Additionally, if you’re curious about flavor enhancements, you might want to delve into the world of flavor extracts and how they can elevate your baking. And if you’re reminiscing about childhood treats, you can revisit the concept of poke cakes and see how this delightful dessert is made. Happy baking!
