How To Make Box Cake Mix Taste Homemade

Bake at 350/The Pioneer Woman

Raise your hand if you've ever used a cake mix.

Let's agree that, while we'd all prefer a homemade cake, sometimes a cake mix comes in handy or is the perfect ingredient in a recipe. My two favorite examples of cake mix love are Ree's Christmas Rum Cake and these Caramel Brownies. Those are two downright delicious desserts made using cake mix.

Using just a handful of tricks, any cake mix can taste more like homemade. Chose any ideas on this list—or combine a few!

1 - Use an extra egg

Most boxed mixes will call for 3 eggs. Use four for a cake that's richer-tasting and moister. This tip is one I use practically every time I make a boxed cake mix.

2 - Substitute dairy

Replace the water called for on the package with dairy. My favorite is buttermilk for that little bit of tang. Dairy adds fat and makes for a more homemade-tasting cake.

3 - Replace water with other liquids

If you're not going the dairy route, replace the water with another liquid for added flavor. Use coffee for a deep, dark chocolate cake, or ginger ale in light and bright yellow cake. Combine with dairy to get the added fat by using 3/4 cup liquid and 1/4 cup sour cream or buttermilk.

4 - Add a mix-in

Mix-ins always make a cake special and taste more like homemade. A combo I love is cream of coconut plus shredded coconut. Fold the mix-in into the batter last, adding up to 1 cup.

5 - Go all-citrus

Make a cake with a citrus punch, replacing the water with juice and adding lots of zest. Try orange, lemon, or lemon-lime. Add lemon and lime zest to a cake made with lemon-lime soda for the liquid.

6 - Add extracts

A little more vanilla is never a bad thing. Boost the flavor with an extra teaspoon or so of extract. Vanilla is always an excellent choice, but any extract can enhance a flavor. How about a teaspoon of almond extract in that strawberry cake mix?

7 - Put some pudding in the mix

Add a small box of pudding mix in with the cake mix. (Don't make the pudding.) The mix adds additional flavor, moistness, and a denser texture.

8 - Make a filling

A filling in the center definitely screams (or at least politely says) "homemade!" Make a simple one by stirring together a cup of mini chocolate chips with 1/2 cup light brown sugar and 1/2 cup chopped pecans. Pour the 1/2 of the cake batter into a Bundt pan. Top with the filling mixture. Cover the filling with the remaining cake batter and bake.

9 - Frost with a homemade frosting

Now, I'll admit to liking canned frosting—but spread on graham crackers, not cakes. To elevate a cake mix cake, top with a homemade frosting. It doesn't have to be fancy or time-consuming, but a homemade frosting will take your cake to the next level. Try the Fluffy Mocha Frosting here on a Devil's Food or Yellow Cake.

You know what's weird? I have a sudden craving for cake. You too? If you've tried any of the tips or have others of your own, I'd love to hear them!

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