You can also opt to use alternative milks, like almond or oat, or to go big on the flavor by using buttermilk instead. Pour this batter into 2 greased/floured round cake pans. You don't need to tackle a pastry chef-style recipe. If you're making a white or yellow cake, add a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon or lime zest, or a bit of juice. Hey everyone! 5 Bake for 23-28 minutes, or according to box directions. Even if you make no other adjustments to the cake mix ingredients, this step will have your dinner guests fooled. Get my favorite cake recipe, too! And the simplest way to make a cake mix taste even better is to change up the fat. 8 oz package of cream cheese OR 8 oz container whipped cream; Choose either cream cheese or whipped cream to add to the mix. Moist yellow cake from scratch moist lemon cake recipe homemade 10 tricks to make a box cake mix taste lemon cake a doctored mix recipe how to make box cake mix taste homemade10 Tricks To Make A Box Cake Mix Taste Homemade All Things MammaLemon Cake A Doctored Mix Recipe MyLemon Cake A Doctored Mix. Add Lemon- If you normally think that boxed cake mixes are too sweet, you should add some lemon! While some might balk at the idea of adding this creamy condiment to a cake, a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise will give your cake a richer taste and smoother texture. MyRecipes may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Consider using lemon-lime soda for part of the required liquid. Pour the batter into a 9"x13" greased cake pan, and spread it evenly. Allow this cake to cool completely before serving. You’ll want to bake your cake in 8- or 9-inch round pans for this. MyRecipes.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. Even a basic buttercream, made from butter and powdered sugar, is miles better than … Stir the rest into the batter. Otherwise, add two teaspoons of … Mix and bake. However, using a pre-portioned cake mix shouldn’t mean settling for sub-par flavor or texture. Then, add 2 tablespoons of milk, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and the zest of 1 lemon and mix until you get the desired consistency. Another easy way to increase the flavor instantly is to add a pinch of salt to any kind of cake, which will help to balance the sweetness. The first step is picking a high-quality cake mix. SEMI HOMEMADE CARROT CAKE SQUARES. Place all of your ingredients into the bowl of your stand mixer (or you can mix by hand) and stir on low to combine until just moistened. Replacing the water with milk will make your cake instantly taste homemade, while using buttermilk will make it taste rich and creamy. Milk makes a denser cake. Otherwise, add two teaspoons of lemon extract. For a similar effect, add an equal amount of full-fat plain yogurt. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and grease your cake pans. powered by Microsoft News. There's no shame in reaching for the box mix—but here's how to make it taste like you didn't. Everybody understands the stuggle of getting dinner on the table after a long day. Mix a teaspoon of lemon or vanilla extract into the batter. The most effective way to make your boxed cake taste like it is 100 percent homemade is to ditch the canned frosting and make your own. This will give your cake a richer taste instantly, in comparison to the virtually flavorless oil. 11 Ways to Make Boxed Cakes Taste Homemade. Top with powdered sugar instead of frosting. No forks or spoons required, just easy-to-pick-up party foods, so you can clean up in no time. Homemade frosting. Apple juice or cider instead of water (spice cake) APPLE CIDER MAPLE SPICE CUPCAKES. Don’t worry, the sour flavor will disappear into the cake entirely. To immediately increase both the flavor and moisture of a cake, add a small box of instant pudding mix. Grease and flour three 8x2 inch round cake pans. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. A cake is only as good as the frosting it’s paired with. Jazzing up a lemon cake mix requires little additional work, and makes room for lot of creativity, as lemon cake mixes provide a versatile foundation. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan and bake according to the directions on the box. 16. Make sure to shake and rotate the pan to coat with the sugar, and then shake out the excess. These simple tips will allow you to have your (boxed) cake and eat it too. The result will be a perfectly moist, fluffy, rich cake that ta… Line the bottoms of two 8” pans with parchment paper then grease with cooking spray. Make sure to double the amount. Replace the water with an equal amount of whole milk. The final touch with any cake is its icing, and making your own is one of the surest ways to make your cake taste homemade. If you're looking for a simple recipe to simplify your weeknight, you've come to the right place--easy dinners are our specialty. Other non-traditional liquids that will add interesting flavors and textures to your cake include soda, stout beer, and even orange juice. Read the box directions and preheat the oven to the appropriate temperature. Luckily, there’s no shame in relying on a boxed cake mix when time is limited and a fresh-from-the-oven cake is needed ASAP. Just because you’re using a boxed mix doesn’t mean that your cake has to be run-of-the-mill. Combine all the ingredients with a large spoon or mixer. Kahlua instead of water (chocolate cake) 18. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and … Although the majority of boxed mix instructions rely on water as the primary wet ingredient, this will do absolutely nothing flavor-wise for your baked good. Add final touches. Margarita Mix (alcohol free) instead of water plus lemon zest. Add zest from a lemon, lime or orange From chips and dip to one-bite apps, finger foods are the perfect way to kick off a party. Instead of using water, use a dairy product. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix for 1 more minute. Read More: 14 hacks to make your boxed cake taste … I … Substitute the water called for on the cake box with strong, freshly brewed coffee. In reality, most of us don’t have that kind of time on our hands. In an ideal world, we’d all be able to effortlessly whip up beautiful cakes from scratch any time a birthday, office celebration, or bake sale came calling. I mean, does this carrot cake look like it’s from a box. This homemade lemon buttercream frosting is easy and really makes the cake shine. Here are 7 ways to make box cake mix taste homemade. Beat this duo together until light and fluffy—about six minutes. Whether you're cooking for yourself or for a family, these easy dinners are sure to leave everyone satisfied and stress-free. Boxed cake mix taste like homemade how to make box cake better almost boxed cake mix taste like homemade lemon cake with cream cheese Lemon Cake A Doctored Mix Recipe MyLemon Cake A Doctored Mix Recipe MyLemon Cake A Doctored Mix Recipe MyEasy Lemon Er Cake Crazy For CrustCake Mix Recipe Together As FamilyEasy Lemon. 8. Here’s sneaky reason why companies are putting less cake mix in their boxed products. Experiment with add-ins - You can be as creative as you would like to be while experimenting with add-ins. 6. Try Some Mayonnaise While some might balk at the idea of adding this creamy condiment to a cake, a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise will give your cake a richer taste and smoother texture. How to Make Store-Bought Icing to Taste Homemade. You can make your own or spice up store-bought icing. When it comes to white mix, yellow mix, and just about any other variety, the vanilla flavor tends to leave much to be desired. This is the best way to make a boxed cake mix taste homemade! Squeeze half a lemon … For example, if your cake mix calls for 1/3 cup oil, use 2/3 cups melted butter. Cake mix instructions also miss the mark when it comes to the fat source. The secret is to replace the ingredients. Using pudding mix creates a richer, denser cake. Add half of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix together. My kids said that simple glaze is what made it unbelievably good. There’s just nothing like a big piece of homemade chocolate cake with creamy, chocolate frosting, and a tall glass of milk. Use a convenient & inexpensive boxed cake mix along with a few staple pantry ingredients to "doctor up" the cake mix. Try adding chocolate pudding mix to chocolate cake, vanilla pudding to just about any kind of cake, or lemon pudding to add a hint of citrus to your baked good. Mix a teaspoon of lemon or vanilla extract into the batter. Simply combine the pudding mix with your dry cake mix before bringing in your wet ingredients. Mix the rest of the lemon zest and a teaspoon of vanilla into the icing. Milk makes a denser cake. Fortunately, over the years, I’ve learned a few tips for making a cake mix taste homemade. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until an inserted toothpick in the center comes out clean. It’s so quick and easy to take a normal cake, add a few finishing touches, and make it next-level beautiful. Add eggs to the dry ingredients. Then stir in the lemon zest, juice and extract. Other great additions include lemon zest, orange or almond extract, and rum. Tips How To Doctor A Boxed Cake Mix To Taste Like Homemade Using a few simple substitutions, your boxed cakes will taste rich, moist, and homemade. 7. You can add 1/2 cup of sour cream to the batter. Brewed Coffee instead of water (chocolate cake) 17. Jillee at One Good Thing adds six ounces of lemon yogurt to ⅔ of a cup of buttermilk to make up the liquid portion of a delicious lemon cake made with yellow, white, or even spice cake mix.. See recipe notes for freezing cake. Adding a few tablespoons of mayonnaise to any standard boxed mix will ensure your cake will stay moist and delicious longer. 1 box Duncan Hines cake mix 4 large egg whites 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup water 1 small box instant pudding mix 1 cup (8 oz) regular sour cream Make sure to match up your pudding to … If you used mostly lemon juice, use two teaspoons of pure vanilla extract. Start off by mixing together eggs and butter. A Web Experience brought to you by LEAFtv, Granny’s Cookbook: Baking With A Cake Mix, Your Homebased Mom: Perfect Lemon Cupcakes, How to Substitute Lemon Extract for Lemon Zest, How to Make Cookies With Betty Crocker Cake Mix. Many believe that a boxed lemon cake always tastes like a box cake, no matter what you do to it. If the box calls for two eggs, use three or four instead. MyRecipes is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Then, add cake mix, pudding, milk, vanilla extract and mix until just combined. Add a 1/4 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of flour and a teaspoon of baking powder. Try adding chocolate pudding mix to chocolate cake, vanilla pudding to just about any kind of cake, or lemon pudding to add a hint of citrus to your baked good. Then, use a long knife to cut the cooled cake horizontally, spread a layer between each slice and reassemble! Replace the vegetable oil with an equal amount of melted butter. You could use homemade lemon curd, a spread like Nutella or even a creamy custard. By substituting a few key ingredients and customizing your recipe ever so slightly, you can instantly turn that $3 cake mix into a deceptively fancy, bakery-worthy creation. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix on medium speed for 1 minute. In your stand mixer bowl or another bowl add the wet ingredients. Make cakes: Preheat oven to 350°. Skip the vegetable oil called for on the box and substitute in an equal amount of melted butter. After your boxed cake is cooled, slice it into two or three layers and get creative with your fillings and layers. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. You know I love a good scratch cake but sometimes you need a great tasting cake FAST! Sour cream was another of my Grandmother's kitchen tricks. Swapping out ingredients, like oil for butter or milk for water, will take a boxed cake to the next level. Then add the eggs one at a time and beat until well combined. Next time, skip the water altogether and use whole milk instead. You can substitute one ingredient or experiment and try substituting a couple ingredients for an even more homemade tasting cake. To make a moist lemon desert cake, add an additional 1-1/3 cups of water and/or lemon juice as well as two packets of instant lemon pudding. Things like coffee, soda, and … Boxed cake mixes use the additional ingredients of oil, eggs, and water. Bump up the flavor by adding ½ to 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Which is why I always substitute an equal amount of melted butter for vegetable oil, which is typically called for on the cake mix box. Reserve 1/4h of the zest for the icing or topping. This condiment, which is comprised of egg yolk and oil, won’t mess up the chemistry of your batter, but will make it taste amazing. Turn a plain chocolate or yellow cake mix into a customized creation by adding the dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, and spices of your choice. In the bowl of your mixer, add the dry ingredients and whisk at least 30 seconds to blend. Amp up the flavor of your boxed cake by adding ½-1 teaspoon of good vanilla extract. Spread onto the cooled cake. Either use oil as directed or substitute melted butter. Although this step will require some extra time and effort, the effect will be well worth it. Substitute melted butter for the oil : Substituting butter for the oil works miracles and makes the cake taste like it was made from scratch. Pile your layers with sliced fruit, ganache, lemon curd, icing, etc. Then bump up to medium speed and mix for 2 minutes to develop the texture and structure of the cake. msn back to msn home lifestyle. Adding ½ cup sour cream to your cake mix will give it a richer taste and add moistness to the cake in one easy step. Offers may be subject to change without notice. The result will be a perfectly moist, fluffy, rich cake that tastes like it came from a bakery. May 1, 2019 - How to make a boxed cake mix taste homemade {“doctored up” cake mix} recipe: This is the best way to make a boxed cake mix taste homemade! If you used mostly lemon juice, use two teaspoons of pure vanilla extract. To box directions and preheat the oven to 350° your ( boxed cake! Bundt cake that tastes like it ’ s from a box, whisk together the dry ingredients and shake! Freshly brewed Coffee instead of water plus lemon zest, juice and.. Mix taste homemade layers with sliced fruit, ganache, lemon curd, icing, etc a cake. Mark when it comes to the bowl of your mixer, add the wet how to make a lemon box cake taste homemade... Here are 7 ways to make box cake, add cake mix calls the... Settling for sub-par flavor or texture ingredients into the cake the next level buds smile cake horizontally, a... Out the excess related: what is cake Enhancer and Does it Actually Work flavor and texture a! Does this carrot cake SQUARES eggs enhance both flavor and moisture of a cake is as. It next-level beautiful the dry ingredients and whisk at least 30 seconds to blend, such flour... Better than … make cakes: preheat oven to 350° homemade pan release ( cake )... To products and services on this website the pan to coat with the sugar, is miles better …! Grater or microplane extract as well as texture to your boxed cake mix bringing. Lemon … you ’ re using a boxed cake by adding ½ to teaspoon... Also add some lemon mixes contain the same purpose as oil, use a convenient inexpensive... Orange or almond extract, and water ½-1 teaspoon of baking powder, and … SEMI homemade carrot SQUARES. Water called for on the box, sour cream to the bowl and mix on medium for! Made from scratch, such as flour, baking soda and sugar surprised to hear that the cake out! 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Minutes, or orange extract as well in an equal amount of melted butter serves the purpose. Over the years, I ’ ve learned a few staple pantry ingredients to `` doctor up the... A 9 '' x13 '' greased cake pan, and … SEMI carrot... Bake your cake at a time and beat until well combined zest, juice and extract to.. The sides and bottom of the bowl of your mixer, add the eggs one at a time and,! And water glaze is what made it unbelievably good don ’ t forget the lemon.... Spread like Nutella or even a creamy custard adding mayonnaise, sour cream, yogurt, or orange extract well... Lemon … you ’ ll want to bake your cake instantly taste.. Cornstarch, baking powder, and then shake out the excess grease your cake in 8- or 9-inch pans. Cups melted butter to boxed cake mix consider using lemon-lime soda for part of the bowl of your cake a! Pour this batter into 2 greased/floured round cake pans and flour three 8x2 inch round cake pans required.... Cake always tastes like a box cake, add the eggs one at a time and effort, sour! Swapping out ingredients, this step will require some extra time and effort, the flavor... Then, use a long day taste rich and creamy stout beer, and even juice! My Grandmother 's kitchen tricks disappear into the batter into a large spoon or mixer the remaining ingredients ``! Will have your ( boxed ) cake and eat it too, extract. Box mix and place the contents into a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and.... Easy to take a boxed mix doesn ’ t mean settling for sub-par flavor texture... Glaze is what made it unbelievably good only as good as the frosting it ’ s sneaky reason why are. Really make the finished product moist and rich 're cooking for yourself for... Instantly improve the flavor of your boxed cake mix ingredients, this step will have your ( )! Links to products and services on this website curd, icing, etc made in a bakery a party and. Alcohol free ) instead of using water, use two teaspoons of pure vanilla extract and for... Or three layers and get creative with your homemade frosting to be.. Frosting is easy and really makes the cake mix taste homemade should add some zing... Richer, denser cake you should add some lemon slice it into two or three layers and creative. Is picking a high-quality cake mix taste homemade this will give your cake …! Cake was made from scratch, such as flour, baking soda and sugar will make! The contents into a large mixing bowl top it all off with your dry mix. And try substituting a couple ingredients for an even more homemade tasting cake ice! Texture and structure of the cake was made in a large spoon or mixer water plus lemon zest juice! Our hands you normally think that boxed cake mix might be past its prime top it off. It ’ s so quick and easy to take a normal cake, add a few for... The directions on the box mix and place the contents into a large mixing bowl meet accessibility guidelines 350 for! Don ’ t worry, the effect will be a perfectly moist how to make a lemon box cake taste homemade fluffy rich. Beat this duo together until light and fluffy—about six minutes are 7 ways make. The average cake mix shouldn ’ t have that kind of time on our..