10 Tricks to Make a Box Cake Mix Taste Better

Here’s a secret: even a lot of bakeries use boxed cake mix! But, they know how to tweak the recipe and make it taste homemade and delicious. I have some simple tips for how to make a box cake mix taste homemade that will take all your cupcakes and birthday cakes to the next level!

How To Make a Box Cake Mix Taste Better

While I love my homemade cake mix, I’m assuming you’re here because Betty Crocker is your sous chef today. And that’s okay! Because like I mentioned before, a lot of professional bakers use boxed cake mixes.

I had no idea until I saw one of our town’s biggest wedding cake bakers checking out at the store with powdered sugar, butter, eggs, and several boxes of Duncan Hines White Cake Mix! What a scandal, right?

Best Recipes Made with Cake Mix: Cake Mix Sour Cream Coffee Cake

First Step: Start With a GOOD Cake Mix

A trusted friend who is known for her amazing cakes let me in on a secret: they teach bakers in classes that you really can’t beat Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker. These two options are considered the best boxed cake mixes, with the right mix of ingredients for a perfectly finished cake, every time!

Best Recipes Made with Cake Mix: Cake Mix Cookie Bars

Tried-and-True Hacks for Making Boxed Cake Mix Taste Better

I tested these hacks with boxed cake mix and my homemade buttercream frosting. Then, I had my family try the doctored up cake mix cakes and rate them against cakes made by following the package directions. The results?

The doctored up cake mix cakes tasted more like homemade and we all thought they had better flavor and texture.

Best Recipes Made with Cake Mix: Pound Cake From Cake Mix

The Top 10 Tips for Making Cake Mix Taste Homemade

1. Use milk instead of water.
   Using whole milk or buttermilk gives the cake a richer texture like homemade, with an improved taste.
2. Add extra eggs.
   To get an extra rich and moist cake, stir in two extra egg yolks along with the eggs the recipe calls for.
3. Add sugar and flour to the dry mix.
   Add 1/4 to 1 cup sugar and flour to your cake mix.

Best Recipes Made with Cake Mix: Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix

More Cake Mix Tricks

4. Use coffee instead of water for chocolate cakes.
   For chocolate cakes, use strong brewed coffee instead of water to deepen the flavor.
5. Add sour cream for an extra moist cake.
   Add in 1/2 cup of sour cream for more moisture and richness.
6. Jazz it up with pudding mix.
   Add a small box of instant pudding to the cake mix for extra moisture and flavor.

Best Recipes Made with Cake Mix: Cake Mix Brownies

The Last Few Tips

7. Give it a boost with vanilla and salt.
   Add in a teaspoon of vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the mix.
8. Swap butter for the oil.
   Use melted butter in the place of vegetable oil for a richer taste. For an extra decadent cake, add two tablespoons of mayonnaise, like this Copycat Portillo’s Chocolate Cake.
9. Level up the flavor with mix-ins.
   Add a handful of chocolate chips, fruit, or nuts.
10. Upgrade your cake mix with homemade frosting.
    Make homemade buttercream frosting! This cream cheese frosting is also excellent!

Best Recipes Made with Cake Mix: Yellow Cake Mix Cookies

More Baking Tips and Hacks

• This free printable shows you How Many Cups in a Quart, Pint or Gallon so you don’t have to guess or Google it every time. Just hang it on your fridge!
• You’ll love this list of the The Best Easy Cake Recipes, which can be whipped up super fast!
• If you’re completely new to baking and need to know How to Bake a Cake, I have you covered, too!
• Out of eggs? Try this Baker’s Guide to Egg Substitutes and find the perfect replacement!
• Do you really need cake flour for that recipe? And what is cake flour, anyway? Learn more: Cake Flour vs. All Purpose Flour.
• It’s also important to know When to Use Salted vs. Unsalted Butter in all your baking recipes.