Cake mix recipes to help you think outside the box!

How to make cake mix taste homemade

With over 900 dessert recipes in my archives, I’m not precious about shortcuts ~ I’m picky about them. A boxed cake mix can be a great starting point when you know how to push it in the right direction. These doctored cake mix recipes add the things box mixes need most: better flavor, richer texture, and a more homemade finish.

My cake mix upgrade formula

1. Add richness
Sour cream, yogurt, melted butter, buttermilk, pudding mix, or extra egg yolks help give boxed cake a softer, more homemade crumb.

2. Add real flavor
Citrus zest, almond extract, vanilla bean paste, espresso powder, warm spices, fruit, coconut, chocolate, or maple do the work that the box can’t do on its own. Most cake mixes call for water, but you can swap that out for coffee, tea, juice, milk, etc.

3. Finish like you mean it
A good homemade frosting, glaze, ganache, crumb topping, fresh berries, toasted nuts, or a crunchy topping is often what moves a cake mix dessert from “shortcut” to “keeper.”

My go-to cake mix brand

I’ve baked with a lot of boxed mixes over the years, and Duncan Hines is the one I’ve settled on. This isn’t sponsored ~ it just gives me the best starting point: good flavor, a light fluffy crumb, and reliable results.

It also takes well to the add-ins I use most, like sour cream, pudding mix, citrus zest, extracts, fruit, spices, and a really good frosting. That’s why I always keep a few boxes in the pantry.

brown sugar peach cake

This super popular cake mix recipe is absolutely perfect for summer gatherings and potlucks. The flavors of summer peaches and a crackly brown sugar frosting is pure perfection!

Tip: cake mixes can be great, but readymade frostings definitely are not. Whenever I use a boxed mix I always make the frosting homemade. The combination can’t be beat.

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victoria sponge cake

Great British Bake Off fans might be horrified by a cake mix version of the classic Victoria sponge, but I think it makes for a light, fluffy crumb that comes out perfect every time.

Tip: A recipe like the Victoria sponge is all about the texture, so a cake mix is a reliable choice when you don’t want to risk a stodgy cake.

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Lemon Dot Cakes!

Viral Dot Cakes are a social media sensation, and so easy to make at home, with a cake mix, of course!

Tip: Bake any flavor mix you like on a jelly roll pan (10×15) for about 18-22 minutes, or just until it springs back when lightly touched in the center.

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blueberry lemon shortcake

This “shortcake” inspired dessert takes a fluffy yellow cake mix cake and tops it with cream and berries for a light end to any summer meal. This would be wonderful with strawberries or peaches, too.

Tip: Cake mixes are especially welcome in summer when fresh seasonal fruit is the real draw and the cake is almost an afterthought. And anyway, who wants to fuss with from-scratch baking when it’s hot out!

cherry almond crisp

Nope, this isn’t a mistake, this cherry crisp actually starts with a cake mix! I was pleased with the flavor and texture I got from making a crisp this way.

Tip: This is a winning idea, and one you can change up endlessly for different seasons. I’m definitely doing a pumpkin crisp this fall, and a cranberry crisp later in the winter.

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super easy cinnamon coffee cake

When you’re craving something warm and cozy on a weekend morning, starting with a cake mix makes a lot of sense. You can have this fluffy, soft, cinnamon-laced cake in the oven before the coffee’s finished brewing.

Tip: The smallest tweaks can have such an impact when you start with a cake mix. A little buttermilk and some cinnamon make all the difference in this recipe.

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easy strawberry cake

One thing I like about using a cake mix is that it allows me to spend a little more energy on the cake fillings and decoration. Here I kept it simple but pretty with a classic vanilla buttercream, strawberry jam filling, and fresh berries on top.

Tip: One way to make a cake mix taste more homemade is to add a little extra flavoring. Almond extract, vanilla bean paste, or, if you’re feeling flush, the seeds of a vanilla bean will elevate your cake.

pumpkin crunch cake

Crunchy nuts and sparkling sugar add lots of flavor and interest to an otherwise simple cake mix cake. The 9×13 pan works great if you have to bring a treat to work.

Tip: Canned pumpkin and evaporated milk make this cake extra rich and moist. Applesauce, apple butter, shredded zucchini, shredded carrots, and mashed bananas are similar add-ins that can be used to enrich a boxed mix.

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