The recipe on the back of a box of Cake Mix is lackluster. You don’t have to follow box cake mix recipes exactly, you know… you can take a box of cake mix and make it into several different desserts or just a more fun cake. Keep reading to find 5 ways to make cake mix better AND a super simple, easy to follow recipe. Plus, I have a list of several other easy cake mix recipes that are sure to impress your guests!
1. More Fat in Your Box Cake Mix:
If you want a better box cake mix you need to substitute melted butter for the oil and double the amount your recipe calls for.
If you are on a diet, use applesauce instead of the extra oil or butter.
It won’t be as flavorful, but it will help with moist cakes.
2. Make it Eggcellent:
Add an extra egg or two to make your cake mix recipe extra rich and fluffy – like in the Best Cupcake Recipe EVER from Crystal and Company!
The extra egg yolk or two makes the recipe richer. The egg whites make the box mixes fluffier.
So, you can do one or both depending on how your want your cake to taste.

3. Water Strike:
Water is drying out your cake and cupcakes! So, when replacing the water, use milk (chocolate milk?) or soda instead like this Mountain Dew Cupcake Recipe or these Coca-Cola Cupcakes. What flavor of soda pop cake will you make?
You could also add a 1/2 cup to a cup of sour cream make them more moist.
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4. Be Adventurous:
Throw stuff in there! Here are a few ideas. Try adding one or more following these box cake mix hacks!
- Extra vanilla extract, strawberry, or almond flavoring.
- 2 tablespoons of peanut butter or nutella.
- Your favorite candy bars – like this Reese’s Cupcake Recipe
- Chopped fresh fruit between two cakes, with frosting, can make a delicious and simple layer cake!
I like to make Poke Cake and fill the holes with Jello or pudding – seriously, it is probably my favorite box cake improvements. For a bit extra, try putting pudding in the mix, not just in the holes.
Poke Cake with Icing
5. Make Cake Mix Cookies:

Try one or more of these alterations to your cake mix recipe and never eat a nasty, dry, flavorless boxed cake again!
Kelli’s Boxed Cake Mix Recipes:
Cinnamon Banana Bread Cake Mix Recipe
Blueberry Cobbler from Yellow Cake Mix
Zucchini Bread Easy Cake Mix Recipe
Gluten Free Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
More Ways to Use Box Cake Mix:
- Ultimate Cake Mix Cookie Book: More Than 375 Delectable Cookie Recipes That Begin with a Box of Cake Mix
- Cake Mix Cookies: More Than 175 Delectable Cookie Recipes That Begin With a Box of Cake Mix
- The Cake Mix Doctor: create 150 desserts using a box of cake mix!
You can make any cake mix into cookies! Think of the possibilities; double chocolate chip, chocolate peppermint, rocky road. Can you tell I like chocolate? Just follow this simple recipe:

5 Ways to make Cake Mix better
You can make any cake mix into cookies! Think of the possibilities; double chocolate chip, chocolate peppermint, rocky road. Recipe modified from Pillsbury
Ingredients
- 15.25 oz box cake mix
- ¼ cup oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon milk
- ½ cup mix-ins like chocolate chips, optional
- frosting, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375.
- Stir cake mix, eggs, oil and milk until combined. Stir in mix-ins.
- Make 1inch balls with spoons or a cookie scoop and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet or parchment. Flatten slightly.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes or until golden around the edges.
- Cool for 1 minute before removing. Frost immediately if you are using frosting or making sandwich cookies.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 2 cookiesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 271Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 282mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 1gSugar: 26gProtein: 3g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix on 1/28/2020
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[…] I love finding ways to make boxed cake mix better! […]
Denay DeGuzman
Tuesday 6th of March 2018
Oh my gosh! I was so excited to have stumbled up on this post that's packed with awesome tips to make cake mix better and wonderful recipes. What fabulous ideas! I followed your simple recipe to make cake mix into cookies and it was just like you described - quick, easy and so delicious! I added in some colorful sprinkles just like those in your image. Mmmmm....
Joyce
Friday 8th of May 2020
I have some add in for box brownies I add two tablespoons of malt powder yummy 😋. Also tsp. Of cinnamon sometimes or more.
Crystal Lopez
Tuesday 6th of March 2018
You had me at cake mix cookies! I love these ideas of taking something ordinary and making it AMAZING! Love!
Christina
Tuesday 6th of March 2018
These are all amazing recipes! I some cake mixes in the pantry that I'm going to doctor up now!
Hil
Friday 23rd of December 2016
I want to try making cake with soda! That sounds like a lot of fun. I bet with sugared soda though :)
Thanks for sharing at Bloggers Spotlight!