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. Kristine Chew says:

      Thanks for the tips! I use cake mixes lots- home made frosting, and some extras. eg if I am making lemon cup cakes, I will add in real lemon juice, and lemon zest, and lemon pudding. The cupcakes came out incredibly moist and everyone thought they were homemade. I just made a homemade lemon butter cream frosting. I will often read the reviews if I am following an online recipes to get the best extra tips..

      I have done certain cakes from scratch but a lot of cakes are surprisingly good from cake mix with some tweaks.

    2. I plan on making the homemade buttercream frosting but I wanted to know can I make it the day before and just refrigerate it until I am ready to frost the cake?

    3. I was making 8 different cake mixes for a special event at church some of the cupcakes sunk in the middle some didn’t. I added 1/4 c. of Cake Flour, 1/2 cup of sour cream, whole mix in place of water, 1 tsp. of vanilla and 1 cup of sugar. Mix as usual. Normally get 18 cupcakes per mix with the addition of ingredients I was getting at least 30. I wasn’t filling the liners as full, because the cake would stick to the pan. When I added a few chocolate chips to my mocha cupcakes they sunk to the bottom of the pan. Would appreciate some insight.

      1. I also changed the oil to butter and added 1/4 tsp, salt.

      2. When adding chips of any kind toss them with a little flour then add at the last not to mix too much. They won’t sink to the bottom and will turn out great!

    4. Dianne jones says:

      Do I add the pudding mix dry to the boxed cake mix

      1. Yes! You can add the dry mix right into the box mix.

    5. Nikhil Patani says:

      Cake box is essential to hold or store your cakes, cookies, pastry secure.

    6. Sweetheart you talk to much i was looking for a recipe on making buttercream icing but i got tired of hearing you say hello to the country and tell of your daughters birthday celebration. for over 7 minutes all i got on ingredients was two sticks of butter and powered sugar so I decided to move on .

    7. Hi… please help……. I want to make boxed confetti cake ( 2 half sheets) for my twins 1st BD coming up…. what should i add to it to make it amazing? I plan on freezing them before frosting them and do I wrap them in Saran Wrap before I freeze them?

      Thanks so much for your time… looking forward to your response

    8. I would like to thank the author for sharing such informative blog with us. 

    9. Thanks you for sharing. Becaus i like chocolate

    10. Shanelle Bounds says:

      Try chocolate cake and sub all ingredients for one can coke cola and stir in a half cup of mini marshmallows. That’s it! Cook in round pans or 13×9 as directed on box. Cracker barrel puts mini marshmallows in the batter.

      Your American solider,
      Shanelle?

    11. Added 1/2 cup of sour cream to a box of Pillsbury Funfetti cake mix. I did not overbeat it (or so I thought) but it came out spongy. Even my son said it was “squishy” (like those squishy toys they play with nowadays).

      Did I just overbeat the batter or should I not have used the Pillsbury brand cake mix? I was bummed out. Was hoping the cupcakes would turn out nice.

    12. Walter G. says:

      Regarding the pudding. I know of Duncan Hines, Pillsbury, and Betty Crocker cake mixes. Some of these mixes claim to have pudding in the mix. Can you still add a box of pudding to those cake mixes, or only Duncan Hines cake mixes?

      1. I have the same question!!

    13. Crystal Coffin says:

      I have done the coffee trick in my chocolate cakes and brownies for years. I even add espresso powder to dark chocolate frosting! I always add extra vanilla, even when I use Mexican vanilla! The other tricks I have for moist cakes os, I put a pan of boiling water in the bottom of the oven when baking and then cover my pans with plastic wrap a few seconds after I take them from the oven. As soon as the plastic won’t melt to cool. Why put all that moisture in the cake, just to let it evaporate? Thanks for the other tips!

    14. So, I subbed melted butter (double the amount) for oil, milk for the water, added an extra egg, & added 2 tsps of vanilla. I’ve done this a couple of times (per a post on Pinterest) and my cakes & cupcakes ended up with a divot as they cooled. Should I just sub the same amount of butter for oil instead of doubling? Just looking for an opinion…

      1. Too much oil/fat makes the cupcakes sink. I’d use less.

    15. Oh man. These tips made amazing cupcakes! I ended up making the following alterations…
      – Used 1/4 cup water and 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
      – Used 4 eggs instead of 3
      – Added 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup flour
      – Added 1/2 cup sour cream
      – Added 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon of salt
      – Used melted butter (and doubled it) instead of vegetable oil
      – Preheated oven at 350, then turned it down to 325 when I put the cupcakes in
      – Frosted with a strawberry preserve cream cheese frosting

      These were rich and fluffy at the same time — how is that possible!? Thank you for your tips!

      1. when you turn heat down to 325 do you adjust baking time from what is on the box?

    16. gail sizemore says:

      Try using shortening with clear butter extract, I use this in my buttercup am frosting if I want it pure white. You could also try coconut oil it’s good too.

    17. My mother used to add certain ingredients to a boxed cake mix and it would rise significantly. Do you know what those might be. Thank you.

      1. I’m a grandmother and it was probably Dream Whip. The cake decorating class swore by it. I don’t do it anymore as I’m into more natural ingredients. This was mentioned previously in the comments.

    18. Every year around August I try to make something homemade for my
      co-workers. I’ve made s’more pie, Apple, peach and pear crisp, cookies, chocolate cake and this year I made vanilla cupcakes and all I did for the cupcake was buy a box of moist vanilla cake mix and added a tablespoon of vanilla to give it some extra flavor and I also added a half a bag of white chocolate morsels and every one loved them and wanted me to make more. I must have made about 70 cupcakes, 4 hours to make them and 2 hours to frost them.??

    19. Angie Reneau says:

      I see above you add a 1/2 cup each of the Sugar and Flour…
      Thanks ?

    20. Angie Reneau says:

      You mentioned to add 1/4-1 Cup of Sugar and Flour to the cake mix ingredients… I’m not sure what you mean here…that’s a big difference in measurements for each of the Sugar and Flour…My question is… excatlly how much do you add….1/4 cup or 1 Cup each of the Sugar and Flour ???? Hope you got all this !!???!!???!!!!?? ?

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