Make a Better Cake Using a Cake Mix

cake mix

I love cake mixes. Whether I use them to make cakes, brownies or cookies, cake mixes make a quick, easy dessert. My favorite go-to cookbooks for a quick dessert are 101 Things to do with a Cake Mix and 101 More Things to do with a Cake Mix, both by Stephanie Ashcraft. Below are a few other things I do when making a cake using a cake mix.

Use softened butter instead of oil. This makes the cake a bit richer.
Use buttermilk instead of water. This makes the cake a little more dense.
Adding a little vanilla extract makes it taste more homemade.
Add another extract to change the flavor. My favorite is peppermint.
Add citrus zest. My favorite is orange.
Use fruit juice instead of water the give the cake more flavor. One of the most delicious cakes I’ve ever made was a devil’s food cake mix, made with cherry juice.
Bake the cake according to the directions. Also make a small package of flavored gelatin or pudding (but do not let either set). Using a skewer or wooden spoon, poke holes in the cake and pour the gelatin or pudding over the cake.
Combine one cake mix with one can or soda and bake according to directions. My favorite is to use a white cake mix and add one can root beer.

Posted in Cooking and tagged cake, cake mix, chocolate, extract, jello, pudding

8 Comments

Cynthia on August 20, 2011 at 7:37 am

These are great ideas on how to use a store bought cake mix. I will have to try the soda pop recipe (do you just replace the water with the soda and still use the other ingredients)?

admin on August 20, 2011 at 6:08 pm

Cynthia,
Nope. All you have to do is combine the cake mix and the soda pop. No other ingredients. That’s one thing I love about it. It’s so easy! Have fun baking!

JanniCake on August 22, 2011 at 1:48 pm

The ideas are great and I definitely think the would improve the cakes a lot, but it kind of reminds me a bit about a story I once heard…

Two kids are making instant mashed potatoes, but find that it doesn’t really taste like granny’s so they start experimenting. At first they add milk instead of water, and it gets a bit better. Then they add a bit of butter, which improves it, but it’s still not the same. An egg makes it even beter and so does extra seasoning, but it still doesn’t taste like granny’s mashed potatoes.

And then they get an idea and true enough, with real potatoes it tastes just like the mashed potatoes their grandmother makes.

Have a great week and keep up the good posts :).

admin on August 23, 2011 at 12:38 pm

Thanks for the story JanniCake! Oh that we all had time to always make Grandma’s real mashed potatoes. 🙂 Until we do, I’m thankful for things like instant potatoes and cake mixes. Hope you enjoy the blog. 🙂

Fall Recipe: Loaded Spice Cookies | The Pink Apron on October 7, 2011 at 9:04 am

[…] This is one of my favorites because it’s delicious and easy. It involves one of my favorite ingredients: a cake mix! […]

Becky on January 23, 2012 at 1:18 pm

Hi what does pouring gelatin into the holes do to the cake? I’m intrigued. Love these ideas. Thanks. X

admin on January 28, 2012 at 3:14 pm

Hi Becky,
When you pour the gelatin over the cake, it doesn’t set like normal gelatin, but it adds flavor and moisture to the cake. It’s not soggy, but it’s super moist and tastes like whatever flavor of gelatin you add. If you use a white or yellow cake, it also adds color, which can be a fun way to make a rainbow cake!

rezima on January 20, 2013 at 11:57 am

I always reluctant about using cake mix box, but now I wanna try, thanks for the ideas 🙂

Cynthia on August 20, 2011 at 7:37 am

These are great ideas on how to use a store bought cake mix. I will have to try the soda pop recipe (do you just replace the water with the soda and still use the other ingredients)?
- admin on August 20, 2011 at 6:08 pm
  
  Cynthia,
  Nope. All you have to do is combine the cake mix and the soda pop. No other ingredients. That’s one thing I love about it. It’s so easy! Have fun baking!
JanniCake on August 22, 2011 at 1:48 pm

The ideas are great and I definitely think the would improve the cakes a lot, but it kind of reminds me a bit about a story I once heard…

Two kids are making instant mashed potatoes, but find that it doesn’t really taste like granny’s so they start experimenting. At first they add milk instead of water, and it gets a bit better. Then they add a bit of butter, which improves it, but it’s still not the same. An egg makes it even beter and so does extra seasoning, but it still doesn’t taste like granny’s mashed potatoes.

And then they get an idea and true enough, with real potatoes it tastes just like the mashed potatoes their grandmother makes.

Have a great week and keep up the good posts :).
- admin on August 23, 2011 at 12:38 pm
  
  Thanks for the story JanniCake! Oh that we all had time to always make Grandma’s real mashed potatoes. 🙂 Until we do, I’m thankful for things like instant potatoes and cake mixes. Hope you enjoy the blog. 🙂
Fall Recipe: Loaded Spice Cookies | The Pink Apron on October 7, 2011 at 9:04 am

[…] This is one of my favorites because it’s delicious and easy. It involves one of my favorite ingredients: a cake mix! […]
Becky on January 23, 2012 at 1:18 pm

Hi what does pouring gelatin into the holes do to the cake? I’m intrigued. Love these ideas. Thanks. X
- admin on January 28, 2012 at 3:14 pm
  
  Hi Becky,
  When you pour the gelatin over the cake, it doesn’t set like normal gelatin, but it adds flavor and moisture to the cake. It’s not soggy, but it’s super moist and tastes like whatever flavor of gelatin you add. If you use a white or yellow cake, it also adds color, which can be a fun way to make a rainbow cake!
rezima on January 20, 2013 at 11:57 am

I always reluctant about using cake mix box, but now I wanna try, thanks for the ideas 🙂