Name: Cake Mix Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 box (15.25 oz) cake mix ((NOT one with pudding added in the mix)); 1 cup full-fat sour cream; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup whole milk; 1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil

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Love the convenience of a boxed cake mix but want it to taste richer and homemade? Then you will love this Cake Mix Recipe which will turn any boxed cake mix into a deliciously moist and rich cake that tastes like it came from an expensive bakery.

BOXED CAKE MIX RECIPE

Years ago, it was literally one of my very first published posts, I posted this doctored up cake mix recipe. It's a boxed cake mix with some added ingredients to make a delicious, straight from the bakery cake.

Back then the boxed cake mixes were larger in size so it needed the extra "moist" ingredients like instant pudding mix, milk, eggs, oil, plus sour cream.

Since then they've changed the boxed cake mix so they're smaller and they even now have ones that already have pudding in them. I have tried different hacks to doctor up a boxed cake mix and love this one that I am sharing today.

I don't want to delete or change the old one because I know it works well for lots of you but I also know a lot of you have problems with the older version of doctoring up a cake mix.

HOW DO I MAKE A CAKE MIX TASTE HOMEMADE?

You only need 5 simple ingredients to doctor up a cake mix!

15.25 oz boxed cake mix- I have tested this recipe so many times using a regular cake mix and a cake mix with pudding in it. DO NOT USE THE PUDDING CAKE MIXES. There is a picture below so you can see the difference. You want a regular cake mix without the added pudding in the mix. I love the Betty Crocker brand but feel free to use whatever brand you prefer or whatever is cheapest. Just make sure there is NO PUDDING IN THE CAKE MIX.

The added pudding made the cake way too moist so it did not rise as it should in the middle. Just stick with the regular cake mix and with the added ingredients it will taste so amazing and moist that you won't even miss that pudding 🙂

Sour Cream- This is what provides the rich texture and adds so much moisture to the cake. It also mellows out the sweetness of a cake, which I think is a good thing because most of the time you top the cake with a thick, sweet frosting so I love a mellowed cake. Please use regular, full-fat sour cream, I am afraid that the lite sour cream will have too much added water in it which will effect the outcome of the cake.

Whole Milk- I always use whole milk versus low fat milks in baking recipes because it's adds fat which makes a more moist cake. I know you may be tempted to use whatever milk you have but just know, that yes using other milks will work, but for best results stick with the whole milk called for in the recipe.

2 Large Eggs- Just two, regular large sized eggs. Nothing fancy here.

Oil- I keep canola oil in my pantry so that's what I use. Feel free to use vegetable oil, an oil blend, or even avocado or olive oil. Just note that avocado and olive oils have a taste to them (or maybe it's just me) so it could change the flavor of the cake. If you use them, be sure to get a extra virgin light tasting olive oil.

MY TIPS FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE

Do not use a cake mix with the added pudding mix. I always use the Betty Crocker Super Moist cake mix with great results. Just make sure it says nothing about "added pudding in the mix" on the front of the box. Refer to the picture above for clarity.
I use a handheld blender because I think it mixes everything better but you can also just mix it by hand as well. Not literally by hand, but ya' know with a wooden spoon, spatula, or whisk 🙂
Follow the cooking direction on the cake mix box. You can use this for cupcakes, cakes, bundt cakes, etc. If using for cupcakes, please be sure to not over fill the cupcake tins. They should only be slightly over halfway full.
I always use the cooking time (on the box of the cake mix) as a guide. My oven cooks super fast and high heat so my cake takes about two minutes less than what the box says. You know your oven so adjust the time accordingly, and if you are not sure then use the minimum time suggest on the box and go from there.

TRY THESE OTHER DESSERT RECIPES WITH A CAKE MIX

Cake Mix Recipe

Love the convenience of a boxed cake mix but want it to taste richer and homemade? Then you will love this Cake Mix Recipe which will turn any boxed cake mix into a deliciously moist and rich cake that tastes like it came from an expensive bakery.

3.93 from 91 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: boxed cake mix hack, cake, cake mix recipe, dessert, doctored up cake mix

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Author: Jessica - Together as Family

Ingredients

1 box (15.25 oz) cake mix (NOT one with pudding added in the mix)
1 cup full-fat sour cream
2 large eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil

Instructions

Heat oven according to cake mix directions. Usually it's 325° for glass pans and 325° for dark, nonstick pans.
Spray whatever pan you are using with cooking spray. You can make this in a 9x13 baking pan, 2 9" round cake pans, bundt pan, or 24 cupcakes. If making cupcakes I would use cupcake liners instead.
In a mixing bowl combine the dry cake mix, sour cream, eggs, milk, and oil. Blend together until well combined but be sure to not over mix. I use a handheld blender but you can also use a wooden spoon or whisk by hand.
Pour into the baking dish and cook according to the package instructions on the back of the boxed cake mix.

Notes

I prefer the Betty Crocker Super Moist boxed cake mixes. Use whatever one you prefer but make sure it does not have the added pudding mix in the cake. It will specifically say 'pudding in the mix' on the front of the box. Don't get that one. Refer to the picture in the post to see the difference.

recipe found when I made these rainbow cupcakes from The Girl Who Ate Everything

Comments

Kimberly Andino Munoz

December 07, 2019 at 6:20 am

Hi, may I ask how much milk, oil and sour cream did you use?

- Kimberly Andino Munoz
  
  December 07, 2019 at 6:22 am
  
  Sorry Ignore my question, didn't see the bottom of the blog! ?
  
Kristin

January 12, 2020 at 4:36 pm

Does the same recipe apply for the Chocolate Fudge (Betty Crocker) cake mix?

- Together As Family
  
  January 12, 2020 at 7:30 pm
  
  Yes it does. Any cake mix just make sure it's the correct size (according to the recipe).
  
Janece

February 14, 2020 at 9:39 am

are youn supposed to add pudding as the cake mix does not have any?

- Together As Family
  
  May 07, 2020 at 10:27 am
  
  Not on this specific recipe. If you want one with the added pudding then try this one https://togetherasfamily.com/how-to-make-a-boxed-cake-mix-taste-homemade-doctored-up-cake-mix/
  
Janece

February 14, 2020 at 9:50 am

your recipe does not show adding pudding and you say do not use cake mix with pudding already in it so should I add the instant pudding or not thank you

- Together As Family
  
  May 07, 2020 at 10:26 am
  
  This specific recipe does not called for the added pudding mix at all. If you're looking for one that does then try this doctored up cake mix recipe that uses it https://togetherasfamily.com/how-to-make-a-boxed-cake-mix-taste-homemade-doctored-up-cake-mix/
  
Jen

February 19, 2020 at 9:03 am

For a lemon cake do you just recommend using a lemon cake mix or also the pudding as in your easy lemon cake recipe? Also, how many cupcakes would this make? Thanks!

- Together As Family
  
  March 25, 2020 at 7:40 pm
  
  This specific recipe just calls for the cake mix. I wanted to have a recipe that did not involve the pudding mix just so people have options. Hope that helps.
  
Roberta M Torres

March 12, 2020 at 5:02 pm

Wow! Using this method makes the cake so much more substantial. Thank you. I'm a fan of this forever. BTW I made a devil's food cake and topped it with miracle frosting and it was delightful. Today I'll be using this recipe with birthday cake cupcakes and miracle frosting. (The best frosting ever)

Marti B.

April 17, 2020 at 9:55 am

I love this easy peasy recipe! I poured the batter into 3 small loaf pans 8x4x2 baked 37 minutes cooled 1 hour sprinkled powdered sugar and shazam it was deeeeelish!! Purple Queen

Donna

May 05, 2020 at 6:06 am

Do you have any suggestions on how to make a box cake more dense? I would like to know how to do a pound cake. Thank you

- Together As Family
  
  May 06, 2020 at 5:15 pm
  
  I don't. I am sorry. You might be better off searching for 'pound cake recipe' on Pinterest or google. I know I have seen lots of them on Pinterest.
  
  - Sandrabee
    
    June 30, 2020 at 7:22 pm
    
    Can I sub whole milk for buttermilk? Or water?
    
    - Together As Family
      
      July 14, 2020 at 3:01 pm
      
      Whole milk would be a good substitute.
      
Kris lit

May 07, 2020 at 1:18 pm

Should I follow the high altitude instructions still, since I live at 4500 feet?

- Together As Family
  
  May 07, 2020 at 9:30 pm
  
  I am in Utah which I think is roughly the same altitude (maybe slightly less) and I make the recipe as is.
  
Hayley

May 22, 2020 at 12:38 pm

I'm making a strawberry cake which calls for 3 eggs. Should I add another egg or drop it down to 2 like your recipe says?

- Together As Family
  
  May 25, 2020 at 2:03 pm
  
  This cake mix recipe is just as written. So you can make it according to the cake mix box directions or use this one that has some added ingredients to doctor it up a bit. Either way works, but follow the recipe as written if making this doctored up cake mix recipe version.
  
Cindy

May 25, 2020 at 9:56 am

So just to be sure...I would use ONLY 2 EGGS according to your recipe as opposed to the 3 EGGS on the cake box directions?

- Together As Family
  
  May 25, 2020 at 1:59 pm
  
  Yes only 2 eggs. Follow the recipe as written and pay no attention to what's listed on the box.
  
Rose Belfield

June 08, 2020 at 6:44 pm

My berry Crocker box shows 16.25 oz. is that ok?

- Together As Family
  
  June 16, 2020 at 4:57 pm
  
  I think that's ok. I have only ever seen the 15.25 oz cake mixes at the store so not sure. It's not so far off that it would not work so I think you would be fine.
  
Jean

August 28, 2020 at 11:17 pm

Love it. Tastes like a sponge cake.

Jean

August 28, 2020 at 11:20 pm

What icing do you recommend?

- Together As Family
  
  August 31, 2020 at 10:23 am
  
  I typically use a buttercream frosting. I don't have a recipe for that on my site but I normally just do a quick search on Pinterest for a 'buttercream frosting'. I hope that helps.
  
Connie Taylor

November 01, 2020 at 1:02 pm

Is 100% Farmer Owned Kemps Sour Cream Grade A Pasteurized full fat sour cream?

- Together As Family
  
  November 01, 2020 at 8:58 pm
  
  I don't know that brand. Just look for a sour cream that does not say 'reduced fat' or 'light' on the container. I usually get the Daisy brand of sour cream. But any brand will work just fine.
  
Jean

November 11, 2020 at 11:20 am

Do you want our pics of finished cake.

Kyra

December 31, 2020 at 11:58 am

What happened to the easy lemon layered cake recipe? It was my favorite!!

- Together As Family
  
  February 20, 2021 at 11:29 am
  
  It's coming back...... I lost most of my recipes that I posted years ago when I started this blog (in 2015). It's been challenging trying to figure out what recipes were lost. But I have recovered the lemon cake recipe and just have to get some pictures and then it will be back :) So sorry! I have had hundreds of people email me about it.