How to Make a Box Cake Mix Taste Homemade: 10 Tips

Craving a homemade cake but short on time? No problem! With a few simple tricks, you can make a boxed cake mix taste like it was made from scratch. These easy swaps will elevate your cake to bakery-level quality—no one will guess it started in a box!

I love making homemade cakes, but sometimes I don’t have the time. On those days, I grab a boxed cake mix—but with a few tricks, it still tastes homemade!

For example, would you ever guess this carrot cake started with a mix? It’s one of our most popular recipes on Clarks Condensed. The results are replicable with just about any cake mix. Below are my top ten tips for making an everyday cake mix taste AMAZING – no one will believe you when you say it started with a box.

1. Choose the Right Cake Mix

Start with a good foundation by choosing a high-quality cake mix. Duncan Hines is a great budget-friendly option, consistently delivering moist and flavorful cakes. For a more organic choice, try Miss Jones Organic Cake Mix—it’s delicious and uses cleaner ingredients.

2. Applesauce or Butter instead of oil

Replace the oil with unsweetened applesauce for a healthier, moist cake. Use it as a 1:1 swap with the oil. For a richer flavor, substitute melted butter. Use double the amount of butter as the oil is called for in the recipe (e.g., 1/3 cup oil becomes 2/3 cup melted butter).

3. Add an Extra Egg

Boost the texture and richness by adding an extra egg to the mix. Most cake mixes call for three eggs, but adding a fourth egg can make the cake fluffier and give it a homemade feel.

4. Sift Your Cake Mix

Sifting the cake mix before combining with wet ingredients creates a smoother batter by removing lumps, resulting in a light, airy cake texture. A simple sifter does the job perfectly.

5. Add a small pudding mix

Mix in a small box of instant pudding mix (about 3.4 ounces) to enhance flavor and moisture. Use matching flavors (like vanilla pudding with vanilla cake) or experiment with fun combinations—like chocolate pudding in a vanilla cake.

A lot of cake mixes actually add pudding mixes in now, but I still recommend adding another one.

6. Use milk instead of water

Swap the water in the recipe for an equal amount of milk. This adds creaminess and a richer flavor profile, making the cake taste like it’s made from scratch.

7. Use Extracts for Extra Flavor

Enhance the cake’s flavor with extracts or emulsions like vanilla, almond, lemon, or even coconut. Just one tablespoon can transform the taste, making it unique and irresistible. We recently made chocolate cupcakes with raspberry emulsion, and everyone was raving about it!

8. Balance Sweetness with Lemon Juice

If the cake mix tastes too sweet, add a tablespoon of lemon juice. This helps cut through the sweetness, creating a more balanced flavor.

9. Add Mix-Ins for Texture and Flavor

Elevate the cake with mix-ins such as chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits. To prevent chocolate chips from sinking, toss them in flour before folding into the batter.

10. Top with Homemade Frosting

Homemade frosting can make all the difference. Try Applesauce Frosting or Marshmallow Frosting for a unique twist. For extra creaminess, use heavy cream or a flavored coffee creamer in your frosting recipe.

• Applesauce Frosting
• Marshmallow Frosting

With these simple tips and tricks, you can turn any boxed cake mix into a masterpiece that tastes just like homemade. Experiment with these ideas to create a cake that your friends and family will love!