Take your box cake mix to the next level with this easy recipe! A few simple additions make it extra moist and delicious.
Alright, *almost* scratch cake is a bit of a stretch. It’s mostly a box cake with stuff added in to make it even better.
Some bakers scoff at box mixes, think it’s sacrilege and only bake from scratch. I’m a whatever-works-for-you kinda baker and sometimes it’s just easier to whip out a box.
How to Make Box Cake Better
Adding a few simple ingredients makes a world of difference. Trust me you will never go back to a plain old box cake mix ever again!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- box cake mix
- all-purpose flour
- sugar
- salt
- large eggs
- water (or milk)
- vegetable oil
- vanilla
- sour cream
The sour cream is the secret ingredient I think that makes this doctored box mix extra moist and flavourful.
I recommend using full-fat sour cream because really, we’re not about saving calories at this point, right?
Boxed Cake Mix Recipe
Making this cake is just as simple as any box mix, just with a couple of other ingredients. To make it all you need to do is:
- whisk the dry ingredients together
- add the wet ingredients
- mix on low until combined
This recipe works great for two 8″ cake pans or three 6″ pans. It can be scaled up for larger pans though too. I use this site as a guideline when I’m scaling recipes up or down.
I like to use Homemade Cake Release on my pans and line them with parchment to make sure the cakes come out perfect every time.
I also use Baking Strips around the sides of my cake pans to make sure the cakes bake perfectly flat and don’t require any trimming (no wasted cake scraps!).
If you’d like to make your cake extra moist (or if you’re worried you’ve over baked it) you can add some Simple Syrup to the cooled cake layers. I recommend trimming a bit of the top crust first so the syrup really soaks into the cakes.
These days I mostly bake from scratch, but I used to use this recipe all the time when I was focussing on cake decorating. It bakes up a very sturdy and delicious cake!
I’ve yet to recreate the delicious flavour and texture of a classic vanilla box mix cake though. My Vanilla Cake recipe comes close, but it’s not quite the same. It is delicious though too, so you should try it if you haven’t!
I really like this recipe because it makes the box mixes a little more dense and super moist. This recipe is GREAT for a cake that will be decorated, stacked, etc. as the cakes have really good structural integrity.
I hope you love it as much as I do. Happy Baking!
Easy Buttercream Frosting Recipes:
- Simple Vanilla Buttercream
- Whipped Chocolate Buttercream
- Baileys Chocolate Buttercream
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- Whipped Chocolate Ganache
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Convert This Recipe?
- This recipe makes two 8″ or three 6″ cake pans. You can use two 9″ as well but the layers will be thinner (reduce baking time accordingly).
- To make cupcakes, all you need to do is reduce the baking time. Start checking at 15mins or so. The recipe should make about 24 cupcakes depending on size.
- You can bake it in a 9×13 pan. Baking time will be slightly shorter.
- You can bake it in a Bundt pan as well but you’ll need to increase the baking time.
- For all other conversions, I use this site as a guideline.
- Baking time will vary if you change the pan size. Every oven varies so I can’t say for certain what you’ll need to adjust it to. Be sure to check on the cake as it’s baking.
Will This Work With Any Box Cake Mix?
- I’ve only used this method with yellow/white cake mixes, but it should work just fine with any kind of box mix.
- For chocolate cake mixes, instead of adding 1 cup flour, you can add 3/4 cup flour and 1/4 cup cocoa powder if you like.
- For a pure white cake, use a white cake mix and 5 egg whites in place of 3 whole eggs.
- For box mixes, my go-to’s are Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines. The French Vanilla flavour is my favourite.
- You can easily add some sprinkles to make this a funfetti cake instead, but be sure to use either jimmies or confetti as the small round nonpareils will bleed into the batter.
Other Tips for making this Doctored Cake Mix:
- Do not also use the ingredients listed on the back of the box mix. Only the components in the recipe.
- Be sure to use room temperature ingredients as this will yield the best results.
- Use full-fat sour cream for best results. Yogurt is a good substitute as well.
- Learn how to keep your cakes moist using Simple Syrup.
- To help ensure your cake layers bake up nice and flat, check out my Flat Top Cakes post!
How to Make Box Cake Better
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow/white cake mix* 432g, 15.25oz
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 1 1/3 cup water or milk room temperature
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup sour cream one 250g carton, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Grease and flour two 8" cake rounds (I use Homemade Cake Release), line with parchment.
- Wrap cake rounds with damp Evenbake strips (optional).
- Combine all dry ingredients and whisk together.
- Add wet ingredients and mix until combined. I use my KitchenAid on low for 2 minutes but you can also do this by hand.
- Divide the batter between the pans and bake for approximately 50 minutes.
- Cool in pans on wire rack for 10mins, then turn cakes out onto wire racks to cool completely.
Carol E. says
Hi Liv, I’m excited to try this recipe and I was wondering how high does each layer of cake gets after the its baked?
Olivia says
Hi Carol! In two 8×2″ pans they bake right to the top, so 2″ tall.
Janet says
Hi! Baking this today for a friend’s birthday party tonight. Can I substitute butter for the oil? If yes, how much butter should I use – 2 TBSP? Thanks!
Olivia says
Hi Janet! You can use melted butter instead (the same amount) but it will make the cake a bit more dense.
Mimi says
I made this cake today for my husband’s birthday. I used only 1/2 cup of sugar and it was delicious. Baked it in heart shaped pans and it was so high. Brought it to our bowling league and it was gone faster than I could cut it. This is a keeper. Thank you for sharing this recipe. Can I make it in a 9 x 13 cake pan?
Olivia says
Hi Mimi! So glad it was a hit! It will work fine in a 9×13, you may have to adjust the baking time.
Kay says
Hi! Thanks for sharing this recipe. Can’t wait to try it! How long should I bake to make cupcakes?
Olivia says
Hi Kay! I would start checking them at 15mins or so. Let me know how you like it!
Beth Murphy says
This I actually tried this recipe using a box of Duncan Hines Strawberry. It was beyond words! It actually turned out tastier than my HOMEMADE strawberry cake! Thank you for sharing this!
Olivia says
Yay! So happy to hear that. Thanks for the wonderful feedback, Beth.
Indi says
I have a question: the box cake mix already has sugar in it. Doesn’t adding extra sugar make it really sweet? Also, why the extra flour? Will it be too dense? Thank you
Olivia says
Hi Indi! The extra sugar and flour are needed because we’re also adding sour cream and more milk/water. You can reduce the sugar, though, if you like.
Jason says
If I’m using the French vanilla, should I be using three whole eggs or five egg whites?
Olivia says
Hi Jason! French Vanilla already has a yellow tint so it doesn’t really matter. I would use three whole eggs to prevent wasting the yolks.
Michelle says
Hi! Can’t wait to try it! How many people does this feed? Thx!
Olivia says
Hi Michelle! The recipe makes a large two layer 8″ cake (or three layer). It depends on how you cut the cake I suppose. At least 12 very generous servings but if you were to cut it wedding cake style you’d get at least double that.
Tammy says
Thanks for this. I love it. I made cakes and cupcakes using this recipe. It’s better than a store bought cake.
Olivia says
Hi Tammy! Thanks for the feedback. I’m glad you love it 🙂
Missy says
I usually make homemade cakes but was very pressed for time this time. I used your recipe but had to sub 1/4c heavy cream 3/4c water as I was out of milk (horrors!!) This cake was fabulous! My family loved it. I followed the recipe exactly and was super pleased with the results. I doubled it for a large layer cake and the cakes come out even and not domed. That was the down side, I didn’t have to cut off the tops to test it, lol. Thanks so much for putting the work in and sharing it with the rest of us. Very valuable information and recipe. Thanks!
Olivia says
Hi Missy! Thanks so much for the wonderful feedback. I’m so glad you loved it 🙂
Dameian says
I tried this using your recommendation for a chocolate cake and it was FABULOUS! I topped it with homemade German chocolate icing, and it was bomb.
I think I’m gonna use your recipe every time, for all of the other flavors, too!
Olivia says
So glad you loved the chocolate cake version! Sounds delish topped with German chocolate frosting.
Marie Rife says
I was wandering, can I use 4 egg whites instead of 5? Will it change the texture or taste? Also, could it be preserved egg whites from a carton or do you prefer fresh egg whites?
Olivia says
Hi Marie! For best results use the amount listed. Carton whites should be fine!
Jessika says
Hello!
Can I make cupcakes with this recipe?
Olivia says
Hi Jessika! Yes, it should make 18-24 depending on size. Start checking them at 15mins or so.
LaToya says
Excellent! Thank you so much! I will use this recipe over and over again. The only change I made was I used a combination of buttermilk/French vanilla coffee creamer and vanilla bean paste. It came out wonderful!
Olivia says
Hi LaToya! So happy you loved it and thanks for the tip!
Elena says
I have used your recipe for chocolate cake box mix so many times and it is always a hit with my family! What would you recommend to make a strawberry cake mix better? Thank you so much
Olivia says
Hi Elena! I would just use this recipe as is with a strawberry cake mix.
Elena says
Wonderful 😁!! Thank you so much for replying 🙏🏼
Mary Polzella says
How far in advance can I make this?
Olivia says
Hi Mary! Cool the layers, double wrap in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. Take out 2-3 hours before assembly.
Kayla says
Hello! Can I use a bundt cake pan?
Olivia says
Hi Kayla! For sure, you just need to increase the baking time. How much depends on the size of the pan so be sure to check on the cake as it’s baking.
Kristen says
About how many cups of batter would you say this recipe makes?
Olivia says
Hi Kristen! I’m sorry, I’ve never actually measured it. I wouldn’t want to guess and steer you wrong. The cakes bake right to the top of two 8×2″ pans.
Cindy says
Absolutely loved this as pure white cake !!! The best no regrets. Thanks for the info!!!
Olivia says
Hi Cindy! Thanks for the feedback! I’m glad you loved it 🙂
Sara says
Hello, do I have to use sour cream? I am lactose intolerant, is there something different I could use instead of sour cream?
Olivia says
Hi Sara! I haven’t experimented with anything else myself so can’t say for sure but you could give a vegan sour cream or yogurt a try.