How To Make Box Cake Better [23 Different Ways]

Box cake mixes are awesome — they’re affordable, easy to make and ready in no time. However, they can get a bit boring and repetitive after a while. But you don’t have to ditch the convenience of cake mix or be a pro chef to make a dazzling dessert. 

Want to know how to make box cake better? You could mix in nuts or use instant pudding to take your dessert to the next level.

Try one of the 23 different ways below to get great results with minimal effort. No one will believe you didn’t make the cake from scratch.

1. Use an extra egg

Using an extra egg or two adds richness and moisture to your box cake. If you usually find your cake is dry, this could do the trick. You can also use only the yolks and save the whites for another dessert.

2. Use milk instead of water

Most box cake recipes will tell you to add water to the mix. Instead, try adding milk using the same proportions. This will make the cake richer and creamier because it ups the fat content. You can even use buttermilk here for a pleasant tang.

3. Swap water for juice

You can infuse your mix with extra flavors when you use other liquids. For example, you could use orange or pineapple juice instead of water (in a 1:1 ratio) for a tropical twist. 

4. Use butter instead of oil

More often than not, box cake recipes will ask that you add canola or vegetable oil. That’s because they’re affordable pantry staples, but they’re mostly flavorless. Why not use butter instead? It makes the cake moist, fluffy and oh-so rich. If you’re wondering how to make box cake taste better in an easy way, this is it. You can also try a butter substitute if you’re dairy-free.

5. Add a few spoonfuls of mayo

Yes, you read that right — you can add mayo to a box of cake mix. A tablespoon or two is all you’ll need to make the batter moist and luscious. Alternatively, you could add sour cream to the mix.

6. Use instant pudding mix

Pudding mix can revamp any plain box cake recipe. Buy a package of instant pudding in the flavor you like best and fold the dry stuff into the batter. (In other words, don’t make the pudding.)

7. Make it nutty

Enhance the texture and make the batter more interesting by mixing your favorite type of nuts into the cake mix. Pecans or walnuts can take the texture to the next level. Get inspired and do what feels right.

8. Use coffee instead of water

You can add your favorite type of coffee to a chocolate cake mix to make the flavors even more intense. You can also mix in espresso to white or yellow cake batter to elevate the flavors.

9. Add citrus

Sprinkle in lemon or orange zest to give your box cake batter a hint of zing. You can also replace the water with lemon, orange or lime juice or soda. Use this method with any type of cake mix, but it works best with lemon, yellow and white cake.

10. Use extracts

Make any box cake better by adding extracts. An additional teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract can boost the flavors of the batter. Make sure to use pure extract to make the cake taste like it’s made from scratch.

11. Split into layers

Once the cake cools, cut it in half horizontally so you end up with two layers. Then spread jam or custard between the layers and assemble your cake. This is a simple and quick way of making your cake look fancy and elegant.

12. Stir in mix-ins

Adding mix-ins can transform any batter without taking too much effort. All you have to do is add your ingredients to the batter and mix until well combined. Use sprinkles in a vanilla cake to make it more magical or chocolate chips in chocolate cake batter for extra richness. 

13. Cover with frosting

Frosting tastes good and makes cakes look good — so why not use it on box cake? Make your frosting at home or buy it from the store and start spreading.

14. Add themed decorations

You can make any box cake better by adding themed decorations. You can pipe “Mom-to-be” with icing for a baby shower dessert, or decorate it with pineapple chunks and edible flowers for a tropical-themed shindig.

15. Let ingredients reach room temperature

You can achieve a more even, creamier batter when you use room-temperature ingredients. Take the eggs and dairy out of the fridge 15 to 30 minutes before starting your recipe to get the best results.

16. Don’t overmix the batter

Do your cakes usually end up being too dense? If so, you might be overmixing the batter. When you whisk the mixture on high for too long, the gluten in the flour will start to develop, giving the cake a chewy texture. Mix ingredients until just combined.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Kitchen scale

Measuring cup

Measuring spoons

Flour

Butter

Milk

Sugar

Olive oil

Baking powder

17. Remove lumps

Mixing the batter thoroughly isn’t the only way of avoiding lumps. You can sift the dry mix into a large mixing bowl to aerate it. If you’re adding dry ingredients to the mix (for example, extra flour or cocoa powder), sift them as well.

18. Use the right baking pan

You might be changing up the recipe, but you should still follow the box cake instructions. Look to see what size baking pan you should use and stick to it. Chances are your cake will rise beautifully and not dry out.

19. Check on doneness

If you haven’t changed the recipe at all, you should always follow the baking time recommendations on the cake box. However, if you’ve strayed quite far from the recipe, you’ll need to check on your cake as it bakes.

Insert a toothpick in the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. If it has large crumbs stuck to it, leave it to bake some more. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t open and close the oven too often, as that will let heat escape.

20. Create a crumb coat

A crumb coat is a thin layer of frosting that’s added to a cake before the final layer. You can use this frosting technique to make box cake look stunning by evening out the edges and creating a polished appearance. This also prevents crumbs from mixing into the top layer of frosting, resulting in a more professional-looking dessert.

21. Add crunch with candy or cookies 

Take your box cake mix to the next level with crushed candy or cookies. Mix your add-ins into the batter for a satisfying crunch, or use them as a topping for a burst of flavor. This easy baking tip helps make your cake feel indulgent without overpowering the flavors. Try using candy canes in winter for a burst of peppermint flavor or crushed chocolate chip cookies for a cookie monster-themed party.

22. Mix in fruit

Adding fresh, frozen or pureed fruit to the cake batter can infuse it with natural sweetness and juicy flavors. Use seasonal berries for a tasty Labor Day dessert or ripe bananas for a comforting treat. 

23. Incorporate different spices 

If you’re unsure how to make box cake taste better (and homemade), try adding different spices. During the fall season, use spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for a cozy cake. Use lavender or cardamom to brighten up cake batter in the warmer months.

How to make box cake better and taste homemade

Recipe by InstacartCourse: RecipesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

14

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

35

minutes

Calories

244

kcal

Quick, easy and simple tips for making a box cake taste homemade (or even better)!

Ingredients

• Box cake mix

• Eggs (amount suggested on box)

• Water (amount suggested on box)

• Vegetable oil or butter (amount suggested on box)

Directions

• Make the cake according to box instructions, but consider trying one or more of the following tips:
• Use an extra egg to add moisture.
• Use dairy, juice or soda instead of water.
• Give other liquids a shot such as pineapple juice or espresso.
• Use butter instead of oil.
• Add a few spoonfuls of mayo for a moister cake.
• Add instant pudding mix to make it richer.
• Throw in special ingredients like nuts or chocolate.

Don’t rush to the store — get your cake delivered

Now that you know how to make box cake better, why complicate things with last-minute runs to the grocery store? Whether you’re missing flour, sugar or a fancy decorative piece for your cake, Instacart can help you get it without leaving your home. Order what you need with just a few clicks and get it delivered in under two hours that same day.

Unsure what to make someone who doesn’t like cake? Check out these birthday cake alternatives to sweeten up their day.

Cady Cohen

Author

Cady Cohen is a culinary writer at Instacart who empowers home cooks to navigate the exciting world of food with confidence. She has worked in digital media for over seven years covering food, health, and wellness. From handy conversion charts and recipe calculators to in-depth cooking guides, Cady's work makes grocery shopping a breeze and empowers you to make informed choices about what you put on your plate.

Heather Matley

Editor

Heather Matley is an editor at Instacart whose passion for food and cooking has inspired her work on everything from grocery guides to recipe development. With over eight years of experience in editing, content creation, and search engine optimization, she strives to empower readers with the most effective tools, guides, and ideas to transform their home cooking.