62 Box Cake Mix Recipes That Taste Homemade
No one will ever guess these desserts aren't completely from scratch.
Southern bakers have always been crafty with the ingredients they have on hand and the time they have to use them. Even if Mama is a diehard from-scratch baker, there are times when everyone has to turn to a box of cake mix. These dreamy cakes are anything but basic, except the prep is just that.
With these incredible box cake mix recipes, not a soul at the party will know you had a little help from Betty Crocker. Whether you're short on time, are a novice baker, or need an easy baking project to do with the kids this weekend, these box cake recipes are so much fun. You'll be amazed at how homemade these cake recipes taste from simply adding a few ingredients and a dreamy frosting. So go ahead and hit the baking aisle—we promise it'll be worth it.
Related: 8 Ways To Make Boxed Cake Mix Taste Homemade
Pink Champagne Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Christine Kelly
This festive two-layer cake is a cinch to pull off thanks to white cake mix. And no food coloring needed, freeze-dried strawberries give the icing a pretty pink hue. Dust with more of the dried fruit to garnish.
Margarita Cupcakes
If you're searching for the perfect poolside cupcake—look no further than these fan-favorite cocktail-inspired sweets. The green frosting is not only infused with fresh lime zest and juice, but also spiked with tequila.
Chocolate Bundt Cake
The key to this super simple, super delicious chocolate Bundt cake? Boxed cake mix and boxed brownie mix. Topped with edible pansies, this cake is not only easy to make, but will impress at every occasion. We love the contrast of the colorful flowers against the dark cake.
Lemon-Lime Poke Cake
Wow everyone at your next summer potluck with this easy-as-can-be zesty treat. While the recipe relies on white cake mix and frozen whipped topping as primary ingredients, fresh citrus juice and zest add a homemade, tangy touch.
Million Dollar Cake
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
A yellow cake mix makes these fluffy layers quick. But other convenience products—canned fruit, pudding mix, and whipped topping—make this impressive cake even easier than you'd imagine.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
This ridiculously easy twist on a traditional pineapple upside-down cake is just as delicious and only calls for five ingredients.
Yellow Cake with Malted Chocolate Buttercream
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones
This minimally dressed cake leans on a timeless pairing—yellow cake and chocolate icing. While the batter keeps it simple as prepared according to the box's instruction, the frosting gets an upgrade with malted milk powder.
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
Emily Laurae
Want the chewiest cookies? Use cake mix. Plus, the higher oil content helps them keep better than regular cookies.
Strawberry-Lemonade Cupcakes
Perk up any dreary day with these cheerful cupcakes! White cake mix is flavored with plenty of fresh lemon zest and juice while the icing gets its' soft pink hue and strawberry flavor from strawberry jam.
Elvis Presley Cake
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This extra moist, single-layer classic yellow cake is topped with a pineapple glaze, similar to a poke cake. Sprinkle candied pecans atop the homemade cream cheese icing for a little crunch.
Cheerwine Bundt Cake
Jessica Furniss
It's only right that this North Carolina-made cherry soda meets an equally Southern cake pan—the Bundt. No one in the South will be able to turn down a slice of this special confection.
Strawberry Dump Cake
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Say hello to the easiest ever three-ingredient dessert. All you need is five minutes to combine strawberry pie filling, yellow cake mix, and butter for a delicious post-dinner indulgence that everyone will enjoy.
Mini Confetti Cakes
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
These mini two-layer cakes are perfect for a bridal or baby shower. Top them with color-coordinated edible flowers, and find that your contribution to the buffet might be the most eye-popping. It also might be the fastest moving.
Punch Bowl Cake
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
In the South, we're always looking for an excuse to break out the punch bowl and this easy-as-can-be cake is a great reason. Similar to a trifle, the bowl is filled with layers of cake, pudding, cream, and fruit; plus any additional toppings as desired. Here, we added coconut flakes and pecans.
Texas Sheet Cake Cookies
Everyone knows and loves a Texas Sheet Cake, which is why we had to create an equally delicious cookie version.
Peach Cobbler
Jessica Furniss
This might be the easiest peach cobbler recipe you ever make: Simply put all the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it do its thing! Peach cobbler might taste even better when made this easily. Don't forget the requisite scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Homemade Cake Pops
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
The best part about cake pops is you can decorate them to fit any festivity from icing dyed to cheer on your favorite sports team colors on gameday or sprinkles to match a birthday party theme.
Devil's Food Cake with Salted Peanut Butter Frosting and Ganache
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones
Calling all chocolate and peanut butter lovers! This decadent cake takes the classic ingredient pairing to a whole new level with the help of salted peanut butter frosting and chocolate ganache, plus extra roasted nuts crumbled atop.
Apple Pie Cake
When you're not in the mood to fuss with pie dough, this one-dish dessert is a fall miracle. It's a good idea to beat the cake mix for a few minutes with a hand mixer rather than just stirring the ingredients together with a spoon. This gives the batter more structure, which helps the cake form a nice base at the bottom and prevents the apple slices and pecan streusel from sinking.
Pig Pickin' Cake
Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Whether you know this layer cake by name as Pineapple Orange Cake or Sunshine Cake, the simple addition of mandarin oranges, crushed pineapple, and vanilla pudding to yellow cake mix results in divine dessert.
Key Lime Sheet Cake
We love an elegant layer cake on our table, but when we're short on time, we'll always turn to the bellowed sheet cake. Many sheet cakes are made strictly from scratch but, for this tangy, creamy, colorful lime-flavored treat, we start with a box cake mix and add in other old-school convenience products such as lime-flavored gelatin and frozen whipped topping.
Chocolate Cool Whip Cookies
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Not one, but two favorite store-bought items make these five-ingredient cookies a breeze. Devil's food cake mix and Cool Whip are true unsung heroes.
Confetti Cake With Vanilla-Sour Cream Frosting
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl
You'll have even more fun baking this three-layer confetti cake thanks to the boxed shortcut. The colorful display doesn't stop on the inside—homemade frosting is layered with a rainbow of sprinkles.
Pumpkin Dump Cake
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Pumpkin pie is a fall favorite, but it can't feed a huge crowd. This easy dump cake has the same flavor you love, and every guest will get a slice. Homemade whipped cream and freshly grated nutmeg are a delicious seasonal topping to make it feel holiday-worthy.
White Cake with Berry-Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones
Elevate any spring gathering, Mother's Day lunch, or girl's birthday party with this stunning (and surprisingly easy) cake. A simple white cake is decorated with vibrant frosting made with freeze-dried raspberries and piped to resemble a rose.
Chocolate Poke Cake
Stacy Allen, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke, Food Stylist: Jen Riley
This rich chocolate dessert gets its' scoopable consistency from instant chocolate pudding which is poured overtop the cake after baking. Another pantry aisle favorite, marshmallow fluff, gives the whipped topping an irresistible texture.
Two-Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake
Jessica Furniss
Have dessert ready in a flash thanks to this easy two-ingredient recipe. Simply combine a can of crushed pineapple with its juices and angel food cake mix, pour into a baking dish, and top with whipped topping once cooked.
Cake Mix Brownies
Hannah Zimmerman
You'll only need 5 ingredients to whip up these soft, fudgy brownies thanks to chocolate cake mix. While adding coffee is optional, it's the secret weapon that'll take your batch from ho-hum to wow-worthy.
Lemon Cake with Lemon-Thyme Frosting
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones
Twirl up lemon cake mix with homemade lemon buttercream frosting made with thyme-infused cream for extra brightness. No one will suspect this flavorful cake started with a box.
Red Velvet Cake Balls
Our Red Velvet Cake Balls are deliciously tender and almost too adorable to eat. Whether for Christmas, Valentine's Day, or any celebration, these cake bites are a cute and easy way to serve dessert. Homemade cream cheese frosting binds it all together.
Pumpkin Poke Cake
Jessica Furniss
Cozy fall dessert just got a whole lot easier thanks to this six-ingredient recipe that relies on yellow cake mix. The recipe calls for pumpkin pie spice, but you can always use a medley of warm spices already in your drawer including cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves.
Strawberry Poke Cake
Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
It seems too good to be true that this spring stunner only takes six ingredients and 15 minutes to throw together. Yellow cake mix, strawberry-flavored Jell-O, and frozen whipped topping make for an extra effortless dessert while topping it with fresh fruit results in a pretty presentation.
Cheerwine Cherry Cupcakes With Cherry-Swirl Frosting
Southerners know: Everything tastes better with a little Cheerwine in the mix! This North Carolina invention from the early 1900s is a cherry flavored soda that is much beloved in the South. Just a small amount in the batter will make your cupcakes taste exquisitely pink.
Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Dump cakes derive their name from the method in which they are made—dumping ingredients into a pan to make a delicious (and oh-so-easy) cake. The approach to success here is an easy five-ingredient formula that will satisfy. This version is best when finished off with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Reese's Cake
This Reese's-garnished cake looks beautiful, but when you cut into it, the peanut butter-cream cheese filling is the best surprise. Another dessert that is decadent enough for any occasion.
Peach Dump Cake
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey
You don't have to wait for peach season to make this five-ingredient dessert. Smack in between a buttery cake and delightful cobbler, you will tempted to make this over and over. If you give in, don't forget that you can easily substitute canned cherries or blackberries for a delicious change-up.
Pineapple Sunshine Cake
Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Inspired by old-school poke cakes, this flavorful dessert has three layers of flavor—crushed canned pineapple with some juices, cream cheese and vanilla pudding, and whipped topping. Plus, coconut chips and toasted pecans to garnish.
Red Velvet Peppermint Cake
The crumb in this cake is definitely showing off with its swirly peppermint pattern. This dessert recipe adds a bit of peppermint extract to classic cream cheese icing for a festive holiday finish. Garnishing the final presentation with peppermint candies lends a textural, festive dash of flavor to the dish.
Snickers Cake
This chocolate-caramel cake uses Snickers in the cake mix and as a garnish. The bonus here is finding out just how well a Snickers bar fits into your cake repertoire.
Praline Mini Cakes
If you're not into sharing dessert (we understand), these personal cakes are just the right size. Perfect for parties, whether displayed on a classic cake stand or individually plated, this small treat will make a big splash however it's served. Keep the recipe secret to yourself.
St. Patrick's Day Poke Cake
Jessica Furniss
This festive dessert might be intended for St. Patty's day, but it's also the perfect birthday cake for a green lover as lime Jell-O gives the white cake its vibrant color.
Chocolate-Peanut Butter Mousse Cake
If you're not in the mood to cut a layer cake for every guest at the party, this recipe includes an option to make personal parfaits instead. If you do go for the traditional option, the balance of peanut butter and chocolate will be satisfying in taste and texture. You just won the dessert course.
Macaron Cake
Two desserts in one? Sign us up! Bake a fool-proof cake using your go-to white cake mix and adding a bit of lemon zest, then spread strawberry preserves between each layer underneath the cream cheese frosting for a colorful surprise when you cut into it.
Honey Bun Cake
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck
Sour cream makes this classic cake extra moist and adds a hint of tang to every sweet bite. The sour cream and vanilla are added for moisture and extra depth of flavor, with a layer of brown sugar and cinnamon that melts right into the cake. This creates a spiced ribbon that runs through each slice.
Sunflower Cupcakes
Add a little sunshine to any day with these sweet cupcakes that the kids will love to help decorate. The fun begins with a piping bag in hand. Start in the middle, and use chocolate icing to create your center. Switching to yellow, add petals by piping the frosting at a 30-degree angle while pulling away from the cupcake mound.
Chocolate-Cinnamon Latte Cake
Chocolate lovers will adore this dreamy cake that's made with the hands-off help from your slow cooker. A gooey chocolate center awaits with each bite. The post-dinner cup of coffee just got a little more alluring with this addition.
Sugar And Spice Cake
Serve a show-stopping Christmas cake with classic vanilla buttercream that guests will never realize wasn't from scratch. Using a boxed cake mix to boost not just the taste, but the texture, is secret weapon. The result? Light, fluffy, and totally delicious.
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Enjoy fall's bounty of fresh apples without the hassle of baking the perfect pie. In this recipe, store-bought cake mix holds together tender apples and pockets of soft caramels sprinkled with fall spices.
German Chocolate Cupcakes
Between the soft cake, creamy frosting, rich custard, and touch of pecan, you can have all the flavor of a classic German chocolate cake in a sweet little package. Even though these German chocolate cupcakes look beautiful, baking shortcuts like store-bought cake mix and purchased glazed pecans make this recipe quicker and easier than it looks.
Cherry Dump Cake
Your family won't believe this treat came together with just four ingredients. The dark cherries give the cake a deep color, making it look like a berry cobbler. But the flavor is unmistakable—nostalgic yellow cake and dark cherries with the subtle complement of almond.
Better Boxed Yellow Cake With Chocolate Frosting
Make your boxed cake mix taste homemade with this recipe that is reminiscent of a childhood birthday party. Topped off with homemade chocolate icing, this semi-homemade recipe is the ideal treat to make when you're in a pinch for time.
Pumpkin Pie Cake
Get all the flavors of pumpkin pie (crust and all!) with the texture and ease of a cake. Thanks to yellow cake mix, which is dolloped into the semi-traditional pumpkin layer, you'll only need 25 minutes to whip up this fall favorite.
Milk Chocolate Bar Cake
Charles Walton IV; Styling: Mary Lyn H. Jenkins
No one will believe you when you tell them this impressive cake started with a package of Swiss chocolate cake mix. And the candy isn't just for a topping. Finely chop a few bars to fold into the cream cheese icing.
Related: This Milk Chocolate Bar Cake Is My Family's Favorite Dessert—And It Starts With A Box Of Cake Mix
Red Velvet Cake with White Chocolate-Cream Cheese Frosting
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones
Need an impressive homemade sweet for your holiday meal without the stress of baking something from scratch? Dress up red velvet cake mix with rich white chocolate-cream cheese frosting so no one will ever question your baking skills.
Red, White, and Blue Cake Mix Cookies
Cake mix isn't just for layered desserts. Turn a box of the store-bought stuff into colorful cookies that can be dressed up for any holiday with the right sprinkles!
Easter Egg Cake
Because this spring cake is a masterpiece in decorating, we used a box of cake mix to quicken up prep time. Truly a visual stunner, you won't need much in the way of additional decorations with this cake sitting on your table.
Blackberry-Raspberry Truffle Cake
Whether you have a special occasion on the horizon or just a hankering for a rich chocolate cake—this recipe is for you. Don't want a crunch? Forgo the pecans on the side and garnish with more fresh raspberries for a burst of freshness.
Easy Bunny Cake
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
While you can bake any cake of your choosing for this masterpiece, we recommend relying on your favorite boxed mix to allow more time for putting your decorating skills to the test.
Pumpkin Spice-Heath Cake
Alison Miksch
Boxed spice cake mix cuts your recipe prep time in half which means you'll have this cake sprinkled with toffee bits (in the batter and on top) out of the oven and ready to enjoy in no time.
Birthday Cake In A Jar
This easy recipe is the most adorable way to surprise your friends on their birthdays. Add assorted sprinkles to make this jar cake adorably festive. Whether you're leaving it at someone's doorstep or storing it in your freezer for grab-and-go birthday gifts when needed, this recipe is sure to impress.
Halloween Cake Pops
How cute are these? Give the kids a batch to decorate for themselves for a fun Halloween activity. White chocolate, a simple royal icing, and black nonpareil sprinkles are all that's needed to decorate the smooth surfaces of these three different Halloween cake pops.
Brownie Cookies
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist Shell Royster
Why choose between baking brownies or cookies when you can have both? Just like a brownie these confections are fugdy and chewy inside, while crispy around the edges like a cookie.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best boxed cake mix?
In our Southern Living offices, we blind tested five different boxed cake mixes, and found a winner in Wal-Mart's Great Value Deluxe Moist White Cake Mix. When you consider how light and fluffy it is, along with the crazy-amazing moisture, the allure is clear. The savings in your budget is just a special bonus.
How do you make boxed cake mix taste homemade?
We are all about enhancing boxed cake mix so the result tastes more like it is made from scratch. Some of our tips include adding buttermilk instead of water, softening your butter. or substituting cream cheese for butter.
What does adding an extra egg do to a cake mix?
Adding an extra egg to boxed cake mix creates a more tender bite, also moistening the cake in a very pleasing way. An extra egg also yields a more stable cake, which lends to cake that can be used for layers. We consider layer cake a Southern party essential, so this hack goes a long way.
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