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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
- Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
- Cake Mix Monster Cookies
- Pumpkin Pie Pecan Cobbler
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Whoopie Pies
- Berry Crisp Dump Cake
- Cake Mix Sugar Cookies
Cake Mix Recipe
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
Did You Make This Recipe?
I'd love to see it! You can share it with me on @togetherasfamilyblog and follow on Pinterest @together-as-family-blog-recipes or Facebook @togetherasfamilyblog for more!
recipe found when I made these rainbow cupcakes from The Girl Who Ate Everything
Hi, may I ask how much milk, oil and sour cream did you use?
Sorry Ignore my question, didn’t see the bottom of the blog! ?
Does the same recipe apply for the Chocolate Fudge (Betty Crocker) cake mix?
Yes it does. Any cake mix just make sure it’s the correct size (according to the recipe).
are youn supposed to add pudding as the cake mix does not have any?
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/
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
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/
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!
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.
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)
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
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
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.
Can I sub whole milk for buttermilk? Or water?
Whole milk would be a good substitute.
Should I follow the high altitude instructions still, since I live at 4500 feet?
I am in Utah which I think is roughly the same altitude (maybe slightly less) and I make the recipe as is.
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?
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.
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?
Yes only 2 eggs. Follow the recipe as written and pay no attention to what’s listed on the box.
My berry Crocker box shows 16.25 oz. is that ok?
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.
Love it. Tastes like a sponge cake.
What icing do you recommend?
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.
Is 100% Farmer Owned Kemps Sour Cream Grade A Pasteurized full fat sour cream?
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.
Do you want our pics of finished cake.
What happened to the easy lemon layered cake recipe? It was my favorite!!
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.
I was wondering if I could use your recipe for pineapple upside down cake?
I think that would work, yes. But you would have to make it in a larger pan (like a 9×13 size). I have never done it but I think the only change would be that you need to cook the pineapple upside down cake in a larger pan than the round 9-inch one that the recipe calls for.
Have you used or do you think you could use a gluten free cake mix? Thanks
I haven’t used a gluten free cake mix but I think it would work! Let me know how it turns out if you try it!
how did the gluten free turn out? I am about to try it!!!
Hi, I noticed your new recipe doesn’t include instant pudding.
I have always used cake mix, instant pudding,
oil, eggs, and buttermilk (instead of milk or water). Would I be able to include the sour cream also in my recipe?
Thank you
Hey, this is a different variation of my ‘doctored up cake mix’. Lots of people have trouble with my other one that calls for a box of instant pudding. It’s too moist for some which means the middle sinks in and never cooks properly. This version is one without the instant pudding mix. Either one can be used 🙂
Have you changed this recipe? The one I used to make from here did call for instant pudding added to the mix and chocolate chips, as well as vanilla.
https://togetherasfamily.com/how-to-make-a-boxed-cake-mix-taste-homemade-doctored-up-cake-mix/
This is the recipe that you’re talking about 🙂
What if I only have super moist strawberry cake mix box with the pudding in it can’t get to store right now ,can I change up box ingredients with the ingredients in your recipe will it rose as well or not a good idea. I have milk,sour cream, oil and eggs ?
Hey, that should work just fine. This particular recipe does not have the added box of instant pudding so it will work great with the pudding cake mix. Enjoy!
Hello, can I substitute butter for the oil, and if so, how much?
It would be a 1:1 substitute, just make sure to melt the butter!
very good, moist and delicious..this recipe is a keeper..thanks for the recipe!!
You are so welcome! Happy to hear you liked it!
one word delicious very moist just like homemade
Thank you so much!
Could you tell me if this cake recipe would work well for a cake stacked into tiers, like for a wedding? Also, how many cups of cake batter does the recipe make? I am looking forward to trying this recipe.
I haven’t tried it with a tier cake but I think it would work. I’m not sure the exact amount the recipe makes but I would guess 4-6 cups.
very good, light and moist..love the sour cream addition..recipe is a keeper! just make another batch
Omg!! These were excellent. My go-too recipe for cake. Thank you so much.
Oh wonderful! You are so welcome and thank you for your kind comment ❤️
I tried this recipe as directed except for the milk I used buttermilk. I wanted my cake not to be over sweet, since I was making a coconut dream cake. Pour coco lopez on warm cake you’ve punched holes in and make a frosting out of cool whip, sour cream and coconut then refrigerate. Oh My Yummy…
Love your idea for how to use the cake. Sounds delicious 🤤
Hello,
My cake mixes in the supermarket have now changed from 15.25 to 13.25. How can I go about adjusting the measurements or do I keep it the same ?
Hello! I would use slightly less of the additional ingredients. I’m not great with math so I can’t give you an exact amount, but just cut each measurement back slightly so the cake isn’t too moist. Good luck and let me know how it turns out!
What the difference in taste using this recipe vs your doctored pudding recipe you have posted?
If I understand your comment correctly you’re wondering about the difference between the two doctored up cake mix posts I have? There is no difference in taste but just in the bake quality since boxed cake mix sizes have changed.
How long did you bake yours for? I followed BC baking time and it wasn’t fully baked.
I’m sorry! The most important thing is to follow the baking directions for the type of dish you’re baking in. If you followed that time and it’s still underbaked I would extend the baking time as necessary. There are so many factors with baking so I’m sorry I don’t have a better answer!
Use this recipe all the time. Brings my cake to the next level. Taste bakery made 🥰