5 Simple Ways to Upgrade a Box of Cake Mix
A few pantry swaps make store-bought mix taste homemade.
Five simple ingredient swaps and additions that make boxed cake mix taste closer to homemade, without much extra time or effort.
Boxed cake mix is genuinely convenient, and a few small changes to the standard directions make it taste noticeably closer to a from-scratch cake without much extra effort.
1. Swap the Water for Milk
Replacing the water called for on the box with an equal amount of whole milk adds richness and a slightly denser, more tender crumb.
2. Add an Extra Egg
One additional egg beyond what the box calls for makes the cake more moist and gives it a slightly more structured, homemade texture.
3. Melted Butter Instead of Oil
Swap the vegetable oil for an equal amount of melted butter. It adds real flavor that oil simply can't provide, since oil is mostly there for moisture, not taste.
4. A Splash of Vanilla or Almond Extract
A teaspoon of vanilla extract, or a half teaspoon of almond extract for something a little different, rounds out the flavor and cuts the slightly artificial edge some mixes have.
5. A Spoonful of Sour Cream or Pudding Mix
Stirring in a few tablespoons of sour cream adds moisture and a subtle tang, while a small box of instant pudding mix in the same flavor as your cake adds extra richness and helps the cake stay moist for days longer.
Don't Overmix
Whichever additions you use, mix just until the batter is smooth and combined. Overmixing develops gluten in the flour, which can make even a doctored-up box mix turn out dense instead of tender.