Take your box cake mix to the next level by using my 10 Tricks To Make A Box Cake Mix Taste Homemade. If you’re ever wondering how to make your box cake mix taste better, this post is for you!

There’s just nothing like a big piece of homemade chocolate cake with creamy, chocolate frosting, and a tall glass of milk.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t always have time to make a recipe from scratch. And If I do have time, will it turn out awesome every time? So, I have a little trick up my sleeve on How To Make a Box Cake Mix Taste Homemade!

I turn to a doctored up cake mix to get the best cake and cupcakes around!

10 Tricks to Make A Box Cake Mix Taste Like Homemade

How To Make a Box Cake Mix Taste Better

Did you know that most professional cake makers use boxed cake mixes? They do!

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!

I could have sworn her cakes were homemade! Nope. They are all about how to make boxed cake mix better when they’re creating a wedding cake.

If you’re ready to learn how to make a box cake taste like a wedding cake – you’ve come to the right place!

Come to find out from a trusted friend that is known for her amazing cakes, that they even teach bakers in classes that you really can’t beat a Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker Cake mix these days! It really is the best box cake mix.

Apparently, the box mixes include the perfect mix of ingredients for a perfectly finished cake – every time! So, you HAVE TO TRY IT! It’s the best way on how to make a box cake mix better!

box cake mix, eggs and oil

I decided it was time to put this little hack to the test and I pulled out a box cake mix, added in some ingredients that made it taste a little more “homemade”, baked it, and added my homemade buttercream frosting. (See me make buttercream frosting below! )

Yep! It tasted just like it was made from scratch! I was sold.

There is definitely a time for a homemade, from scratch cake – but there is also a time for doctoring up a boxed mix to make it taste just like homemade. If you want to figure out just how to make a box cake moist and fluffy, these tricks are just what you need.

So today I’m sharing the best cake mix hacks on how to make box cake taste better that you’ll definitely want to try!

 Here are THE BEST Tricks On How To Make Box Cake Better!

Make A Box Cake Mix Taste Like Homemade

Try adding a few of these tips to your box cake mix taste better!

  1. Use milk instead of water.
    Use whole milk instead of water. It gives it a denser texture like homemade with an improved taste. You can also use buttermilk in place of whole milk.
  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- 1 cup sugar and flour to your cake mix.
  4. Use coffee instead of water for chocolate cakes.
    For chocolate cakes, use strong brewed coffee instead of water to deepen the flavor.
  5. Sour Cream is perfect for adding moisture and rich flavor.
    Add in 1/2 cup sour cream to add a more dense, rich flavor. Or use mayonnaise and make Copycat Portillo’s Chocolate Cake!
  6. Pudding adds moisture and flavor. 
    Add a small instant pudding box to the mix to add moisture and flavor.
  7. Vanilla & Salt give the cake a more homemade taste.
    Add in a teaspoon of vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon of salt the mix.
  8. Butter instead of oil.
    Use melted butter in the place of vegetable oil for a richer taste. For an extra decadent cake, add two tablespoons of mayonnaise.
  9. Mix-Ins to personalize and level up the flavor. 
    Add a handful of chocolate chips, fruit, or nuts to personalize your cake.
  10. Homemade Frosting is a game changer!
    Make homemade buttercream frosting! This is a MUST for cakes. Either vanilla buttercream or chocolate buttercream will make all the difference in the world!

That’s it! Try a few of these tricks the next time you’re wondering how to improve boxed cake mix. I have a feeling you will be reaching for a box mix more often!

If you want to see some of these tricks in action, check out this video where I make this cake LIVE on Good Day Marketplace HERE

Winning Box Cake Mix Recipes

chocolate cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting

Chocolate Cupcakes (From a Doctored Cake Mix)

For super moist chocolate cupcakes, try this Chocolate Cupcakes (from a doctored cake mix) recipe. It really does make the absolute best chocolate cupcakes! Top with my homemade buttercream frosting and chocolate shavings.
4.10 from 205 votes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 1 15 oz. ounce box box devil’s food cake mix
  • 1 box instant chocolate pudding (dry)
  • 4 eggs
  • ¾ cup canola oil
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 325℉. Place cupcake liners in cupcake pans.
  • Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and beat with a hand mixer for 2 minutes.
  • Use an ice cream scoop to fill cupcake liners about ¾ full.
  • Bake about 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Cool completely before frosting.
  • Pipe on frosting with a large star tip for a swirl or just by hand!

Butter Cream Frosting

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 34mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 112IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

    CLICK BELOW for my FREE printable cheat sheet for

    Printable Cake Mix Hacks———-> 10 Tricks For Making A Box Cake Taste Homemade – Printable

    make a delicious cake

     

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    About Kasey Schwartz

    For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

    Comments

    1. Paz Austin says:

      I used eggs and milk in a cakee mix instead of oil and water, my cake looked beautiful then after it fell ☹️ What did I do wrong? Thanks!!!

      1. I don’t know – but I’m guessing it wasn’t cooked all the way in the center. Could that have been it?

    2. Hi, I do a lot of cakes and have been doing them for years. Most of my cakes need to be white white but, butter makes it yellowish. How do you keep it white while using just butter. Thanks for the great tips on the cake mixes.

      1. I don’t think it will stay white with the butter. You may need to use oil and then add clear butter flavoring if you like that flavor,

    3. All comments seem to be about making layer cakes. My question is whether I can bake the mix in bundt pan with good results? Want to make lemon one as a gift. Love all suggestions mentioned.

      1. SURE! Whatever pan you use is fine!

    4. Use hot water in chocolate cake mix to make the flavor bloom.

      1. Also use coffee to enrich the flavor

    5. Greenhandle says:

      This cake looks so yum

    6. Has anyone ever added milk and pudding mix as extras??? I’ve done pudding powder but I have not done milk to the cake mix when using the pudding.

    7. I’m making a red velvet cake boxed cake mix. Can I still add the flour and sugar to it? Will it affect the color of the cake?

      1. YES! I think that would be fine and not change the color. You could always add in a little red food coloring, too!

    8. Thanks for the tips! I used the extra eggs, butter, and whole milk when I made my husbands birthday cake. He didn’t believe me when I told him it was from a box!! Between him and our daughter I barely got one slice of it, I’m so pleased!!

      1. WOW! That’s awesome!!

    9. I have a couple of questions. When making a vanilla box cake what kind of frosting would go best with it a buttercreme or a whipped frosting which i haven’t tried to make either of these frostings? Also would a cream cheese Almond frosting hold up better if your making flowers on the cake? I make a DR. Pepper Chocolate cake with a powdered sugar frosting just lightly drizzled over it that everyone loves, but im trying to come up with an idea for my sister’s wedding because she doesn’t like chocolate cake. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Thank you 🙂

    10. Yilliang Peng says:

      Thanks for the advice on how to make a box cake taste homemade. I remember that my mom used to always make funfeti cake for me when I was a boy and so I want to make them for my kids when they get a little older. I had never thought to add pudding into the cake — interesting! Thanks again!

    11. For the pudding do you add just the powder packet?…or do you make the pudding and then add it as pudding to the cake?

      1. Patti shropshire says:

        QQhow much butter do u substitute for the one third cup of oil

    12. Hannah Houle says:

      For eggs, use 2 eggs and one egg yolk, it will add moisture.

      1. Great idea!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

    13. I used some of your tips today to make a chocolate cake with boxed mix (Duncan Hines). It WAS remarkably better!!! I added extra eggs, butter in place of oil, and whole milk instead of water.

      But question: please explain what you meant about the sugar and flour. Is that 1 cup of flour and 1/4 cup of sugar or the opposite? Or something else entirely?
      Thanks.

      1. GREAT!!! I am so happy to hear that, Cecelia!!

        I think you can do what you want with the sugar and flour. I usually use the same amount of both. I tend to use 1/2 cup of flour and 1/2 cup sugar each time. Experiment and see what you think! 🙂 Let me know!

        1. self rising or all purpose flour?

        2. All purpose. 🙂

        3. So you’ve added all of the eggs, milk and butter… plus the sugar and flour?

        4. Hi there, I’m going to try some of these tips today! But before I do so may I just clarify, so you usually add 1/2cup of sugar and 1/2cup flour to one box of cake mix? No added baking powder or anything would be needed? Sorry for all the questions. And I didn’t get Duncan Hines but I got another (Betty Crocker) so I’m hoping it works just as well.

    14. Christina says:

      Maybe be a dumb question but….
      What if i want the cake to have a wedding cake taste. Do I add almond extract or substitute the vanilla for the almond?

      Thanks!

      1. That’s a good idea!! How about adding a little almond extract. A little goes a long way though, so be careful! I’d add it to a white cake. Good luck! 🙂

        1. I’ve make Wedding Cakes and I always add Champagne extract to my cake mix. It turns out wonderful.

    15. Hello
      Do I have to change the temp of the oven if adding 2-3 items or bake for longer?

      1. I always leave it the same when I’m making two layers. I don’t try to bake other items at the same time as my cake. I am afraid it won’t turn out.

      2. You mean other items as in the “10 tips”?

    16. Ilona Domina says:

      Simmer on Orange peal one about 45- min. then mash peal and all, add a couple drops of lime or lemon and mix as normal. Just like you would add apple sauce. , and bake as normal-and oh so good.

    17. Cascia Talbert says:

      Thanks for sharing your tips, but I usually make home made cake. My kids love my home made cake. Have a terrific afternoon!

    18. Vicki Conwell says:

      I took a cake decorating class years ago and I remember using box cake mixes but we added something to them. This stuff came in a box and had powder packs (2 or 3) that we added to the crack mix before we mix cake. I think it made the cakes higher. Does anyone know what I am talking about? I think it had the word whip in it. This ole brain can’t remember what it was. I am tired of using a cake mix for two layer cake and the layers are so thin. Thank you.

      1. Hmm…I really don’t know!

        1. There use to be a whip cream powder mix that had a couple of packs in it. I haven’t seen them in years though.

        2. Dream whip! 🙂

        3. yvonne taylor says:

          the name was dream whip

        4. L K Burrer says:

          Dream Whip and you can still get it. But we used it in the icing recipes to keep it from cracking.

        5. do you remember what the recipe is that you used for the icing?

        6. Its called cream whip & they still sell it

        7. CHICKEN

      2. You’re thinking of the product called “Dream Whip”. It’s actually a powdered whipped cream substitute but it can be added to boxed cake mixes to make the layers rise higher and to make them more moist.

        Google it for more information.

        :o)

        1. Good tip!

      3. Dream whip, not sure if it’s still made, I haven’t looked for it in years.

        1. It is!

        2. Yes they still sell them at Walmart

      4. Doe Harden says:

        Could it have been Dreams Whip? That was something that you mixed up (from years ago) it was a precursor to Cool Whip. I think it had two packages to a box.

        The only other thing I can think of that came packaged like that way was Knox Gelatin.

        1. Oh yes! They still sell it around here in the stores. Worth a try!

      5. Dream whip, you can buy it by the cake mixes.

      6. It might have been “Dream Whip” my Aunt use to put it in her cakes.

      7. Luann Johnson says:

        Dream Whip. Its powered whip cream.

        1. YES! Good call.

        1. Can you make a cake with a freezer with only mix and water?

      8. Betty Freeman says:

        Dream whip, i get it at grocery store, walmart, its usually near jello products. I use it with cream cheese on pies , so good.

      9. Powdered Dream Whip, makes great texture.

      10. It’s Meringue Powder. Yes, it works too!

      11. It might have been Ready Whip that came in a box n it made whip cream

      12. Linda Hellinge says:

        Dream whip, I Remember using that in cake mixes. It comes two packs in a box

        1. YES! Good idea!

      13. ANNE Mattio says:

        I think they might of used Whip it, a stabilizer for whipping cream! It’s made by Dr. Oetker,you can find it on Amazon! I especially love it when I make a Whipped Cream frosting, it really gives the whipped cream so much body!! I love it!!

        1. Oooo! That’s a good idea!

      14. I think I know what your talking about, is Dream Whip . And they still make it.

      15. Yes It is dream whip.

      16. Dream whop….my mom used that for jello desserts too !

      17. 1 cake mix
        1 cup water
        4 eggs
        1 package Dream Whip

      18. I believe that would be Dream Whip. I still use it.

      19. Jennymarie Giordano says:

        That was called Dream Whip and yes you can still get it. There are two white pouched of powder in each box. My Aunt always added it to her cake mix .

        1. I’ve heard it’s wonderful!

      20. A packet of Dream Whip. Added to cake mix will make cakes fluffier and moister also add enhanced flavor.

        1. I have to try this!

      21. Geneva Prather says:

        It’s called Dream Whip and Walmart still sells it. It’s on the isle with the Jello pudding.

        1. YUMMY! Good tip!

        1. Perfect!

      22. Was it called Dream Whip?
        Lila

    19. These all sound great but for 20 years I have used boxed mixes for all my cakes and i have done atleast 50 wedding cakes and my secret is to freeze them after baking the ice them while they are frozen – it cuts down on all those crumbs and is super moist!!

      1. Do you let them cool on the counter after baking but before freezing, or do you wrap and freeze straight from the oven?

        1. I let it cool first.

        2. I also wrap mine anf freeze them but I do it while they are warm and they are super moist and light..

      2. I started doing that a couple years ago immidiatly put it in the freezer covered or wrapped for 45 minutes locks the moisture in:) and baking it at 325 for 35/40 minutes…baking at 350 for 15/20 minutes also instead of direction time 25/30…i also put instead of boxed pudding i put 2 pudding cups in use milk butter AND sweet indenced milk about a half cup:) and who doesnt LIVE 3 milk cake?? Mix one can of evaperated milk 1qt half and half one small half quart heavy whipping cream after cakes cooled completely poke holes and pour in! Add whip cream and any topping fruit or cinnamin!:)

      3. Yes, I have done this too. The freezing adds in moisture via ice crystals, I sometimes ice them, then freeze; or sometimes I just freeze and then ice, then refreeze- have never noticed a difference and neither have my clients! (I also use Duncan Hines mixes -they stopped carrying Decadence- which were the BEST : ( – but I ADD AN EXTRA EGG, use HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM instead of water, and melted butter instead of oil…everyone raves and thinks they are from a bakery!)

        1. What do you mean by freeze and then ice?

      4. Christina says:

        5 stars
        Thank you! We actually like are cake cold so we usually put it in the refrigerator. Especially since we recently also found icing hacks and we actually get a bright colored canned icing and add a whole 8oz tub of whipped topping to it, and It is super good cold. But now I think tonight we are going to freeze it and ice it like you but keep it frozen. We love Baskin & Robbins frozen cakes so much. Now all I need I s to learn how they make their whipped topping we love so much!

        1. Oooo! Good tip!! Let me know if you figure out their whipped topping, too! haha!

    20. Are these either ors add ins, or do I add all of these to the boxed cake mix

      1. You can any of these to make it more “homemade” tasting. I would’t do them all – just pick a few and experiment!

        1. I take a white cake mix and substitute the amount of water called for with flavored soda (pop). Orange and strawberry are my favorite! Not only does it flavor the mix, it makes it so much moister.

        2. Christina says:

          We like chocolate cakes. So we’ll probably try sprite but how much do we use and is it in place of any other liquids?

          Thank you!

        3. I substitute the amount of water that your box mix calls for with the other liquid – like in this 7UP Bundt Cake Recipe – https://www.allthingsmamma.com/7up-cake-recipe/

        4. Crap! I just used them all! I hope I didn’t just ruin my cake! 😂

      2. Yep! It tasted just like it was made from scratch!

        1. GREAT to hear!

      3. Jenny Manders says:

        Hello , enjoying this ….Jenny from Georgia

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