How to Make Any Boxed Cake Mix Taste Homemade
An easy recipe hack to make any boxed cake mix taste like you made it from scratch!
Servings: 1 Boxed Cake Mix
Ingredients
- 1 boxed cake mix any flavor
- large eggs Add 1 additional egg than what the box calls for
- full-fat, whole milk Use the measurement of water called for on the box, usually 1 cup
- salted butter, melted but not overly hot. Or, half butter/half oil, see notes* If swapping butter for oil, use the measurement of oil called for on the box. (SEE NOTES about moisture)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract can add to any flavor cake mix
- 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease the cake pans or a 9x13 baking pan.
- In a stand mixer add the cake mix. Add the eggs and milk. Slowly stream in the butter (or butter and oil) while mixing on low. Add in the vanilla and sour cream. Mix on low until combined, about 1 minute). Scrape the sides and bottom with a rubber spatula.
- Divide the batter between the pans and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes, use judgment.
- For cupcakes check on them at around 12-15 minutes or so, which might be less than what the box suggests. If more time is needed, go from there.
Notes
*Note that you will be swapping oil for butter. However, if you're making the cake a day ahead, I recommend half butter and half oil instead of all butter. Oil stays liquid at room temperature, so the cake remains exceptionally moist for longer while still getting much of butter's flavor.
For example, ½ cup melted salted butter (or ¼ cup butter + ¼ cup neutral oil for maximum moisture). You can also choose to omit butter altogether and keep the oil measurement as called for on the box.
Do not overmix. Overmixing creates a gluten structure that will make the cake dense and bread-like. So, mix on low for a bout 1 minute or until the mixture comes together, scrape the sides and finish folding and mixing by hand.