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Cake mixes — why not? Make magic with boxed cake

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Cake, home made The Hot Mess Press

There is nothing wrong with baking a boxed cake. They’re convenient, but let’s face it, dump-and-stir cakes are nothing special. However, with a bit of imagination and ingenuity, you can tweak the recipes and produce bakery-quality cakes. Most of you might already make your boxed cakes more decadent by adding an additional egg. Do you also replace the oil and water with butter and milk?

Baking ingredients

I’ll share some hacks with you, and even if you already know some of them, there might be some new ideas among them.

Box cake replacement and additional ingredients

Cake Devil's Food

  1. Baking a chocolate or Devil’s food gateau? Use brewed coffee in place of the water. Importantly, let the coffee cool down before you add it. Make it even better by adding a hand full of choc chips.
  2. Instead of replacing water with milk, use buttermilk. However, you might want to add a bit extra because of buttermilk’s consistency.
  3. Add fresh carrots when you bake a carrot cake premix.
  4. Chuck in a handful of good quality baking chocolate shavings when you bake a chocolate premix.
  5. Take any flavor premix to the next level by sifting the dry mixture to add some air. Then, replace the oil with apple sauce and a bit of vanilla.
  6. Add acidity to balance the excessive sweetness of boxed cakes. Regardless of the flavor, add 1 or 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
  7. Make the batter creamier by adding two tablespoons of mayonnaise.Cake mix transform

Want to make your box cake unrecognizable?

  1. Yogurt is a fabulous addition to any baked product. Add six ounces of lemon yogurt to any white or yellow batter. Additionally, add two tablespoons of oil and also 2/3 cup of buttermilk to replace the liquids. Then add the eggs as per the recipe instructions.
  2. For a better rise and a smoother texture, add half-a-cup of self-rising flour and half-a-cup of sugar to your choice of cake mix. You’ll have to add one or two tablespoons of milk to get the right consistency.
  3. Want extra creaminess for you vanilla or chocolate treat? Replace the liquid with full-fat coconut milk.
  4. Change your plain yellow cake into a refreshing orange gateau by adding fresh orange juice instead of water. Amp it up more by adding one or two teaspoons of orange extract. While you’re at it, you might as well add some fresh orange zest.
  5. Don’t be afraid of spicing it up! For instance, spice up yellow mixes with 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/2 to one teaspoon of paprika or cinnamon in chocolate cakes.
  6. You can bake a lighter cake by adding mashed banana and Greek yogurt. Use half a banana to replace each egg, and replace each cup of oil with 3/4 cup Greek yogurt.Mixing Batter

Give these premix ideas a go

Here is a collection of box cake hacks that will make people begging you for the recipe:

Surprise your guests with an apple spice surprise

One can of apple pie filling and three eggs added to your spice cake batter. Pour the batter into your cake pan and sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon and sugar over it. Bake as directed on the box, and serve a dollop of whipped cream with each portion.

Cake Pumpkin

Pumpkin and apple indulgence

This is also a trick to amp up your spice cake mix. Add 4 instead of 3 eggs and one can of pumpkin, along with 1/4 cup of canned apple sauce in place of oil. Follow the baking instructions on the box.

Cake Angel food

Pineapple Angel Food Cake

Start with your boxed angel food cake premix, and add a large can of crushed pineapple, undrained. Bake at 350F or 180C for approximately 45 minutes or until it springs back if you push a dent into it. Make it extra special by serving it with whipped cream and strawberries.

Melted ice cream indulgence

Melted Ice Cream Cake

Add two cups of melted ice cream — any flavor — along with three eggs to a white cake premix. Mix on medium speed for about 3 minutes. Pour into a greased pan and bake the cake at 350F or 180C for about 35 minutes. Be creative with the frosting of your choice.

Fruity Yellow Cake

Use a yellow cake mix, but make sure it is not one with pudding in the premix. Add the number of eggs as instructed on the box. However, substitute the oil and the water with a can of fruit cocktail in natural juice. Do not drain the fluid. Mix the batter and bake it in a bundt pan according to the instructions on the box. This moisty cake needs no frosting.

Grasshopper

Grasshopper cake aka creme de menthe cake

This one is a showstopper! Use a white cake mix and prepare the batter as directed on the packaging. Add three tablespoons of green ice cream topping (creme de menthe) and mix to get a uniform green color. Bake the cake as directed, and leave it until it is completely cool. Now, pour one jar of hot fudge topping over the cake. The next step is whipping another three tablespoons of creme de menthe topping with one container of Cool Whip. To finish this masterpiece, spread the whipped topping on the hot fudge layer of the cake.

Root beer cake

Root beer butter cake

For this cake, you need a yellow premix. However, make sure to get the kind that includes a pudding mix. Substitute the water with 1 1/4 cups of root beer and the oil with 1/2 cup of butter. Add three eggs and bake as directed. Choose your favorite frosting to finish it off.

Found some new ideas? Did I inspire you to give boxed cakes another go?

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