Turn any boxed cake mix into a moist, delicious homemade tasting cake using these homemade cake tips. Your cakes will taste more moist and more like homemade with these simple substitutions.
Tips How To Doctor A Boxed Cake Mix To Taste Like Homemade
Using a few simple substitutions, your boxed cakes will taste rich, moist, and homemade. You can substitute one ingredient or experiment and try substituting a couple ingredients for an even more homemade tasting cake.
For all you bakers that love to bake cakes from scratch, here’s my recipe for making your own self rising flour.
When you’re in the mood from something different, take a look at these cookie gadgets the next time you bake cookies. Don’t break out the ingredients before you see these cookie baking tips.
Chocolate Cake Mix
Hot Water– When the chocolate cake mix calls for water, add HOT water. It makes the cake CHOCOLATE-ier. The chocolate cocoa flavor “develops” more with hot water. Chocolate is a bean and the hot water brings out the chocolate cocoa flavor, just like it does with coffee.
You can also replace the liquid with brewed coffee or melted chocolate ice cream.
White Cake Mix
Egg Whites– Omitting the egg yolks from a white cake mix makes the cake fluffy and whiter. Since taking out the egg yolks also takes out the fat, add one tablespoon of butter per egg yolk that you take out. So if you take out 3 egg yolks, add 3 tablespoons of melted butter.
Clear Vanilla Extract– Add extra flavor to a white cake mix by adding 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Make sure it’s clearor it will effect the white of your cake.
All Boxed Cake Mixes
Melted Butter– Substitute vegetable oil with melted butter or margarine for added flavor. *Cakes already have salt in them, so I recommend using unsalted butter.
Instant Pudding-Add 1 (3.9 oz) box dry INSTANT Pudding mix. Use vanilla or the same flavorasyour boxed cake mix for added richness flavor. Try adding chocolate pudding mix to a Red Velvet Cake Mix!
Sour Cream-Add 1/2 to 1 cup of sour cream in addition to the ingredients it calls for.
Yogurt– Try using 6 oz. flavored yogurt, 2 T. oil and 2/3 cup water, milk or buttermilk, add the eggs called for on the box OR use plain yogurt, 2 T. oil and 2/3 cup water, milk or buttermilk for any boxed cake mix.
Applesauce-Replace the oil with equal parts of applesauce. If the recipes calls for 1/4 cup oil, replace it with 1/4 cup applesauce for extramoistness.
For example, using two substitutions in a spice cake substitute the oil with applesauce and substitute the water with milk or buttermilk.
Mayonnaise-Add 2 Tablespoons of Mayo. It improves the texture and makes it taste more like homemade.
Jell-o Gelatin-Add flavored gelatin to your boxed cake for added flavor such as strawberry for strawberry cake.
Liquids
Milk– When a cake mix calls for water, add MILK instead. The milk adds density and fat, andmakes it taste homemade.
Buttermilk-You will never go wrong with replacing all the liquids with buttermilk. Because buttermilk is thicker, you may have to add a little extra!
For example, using two substitutions in a spice cake substitute the oil with applesauce and the water with milk or buttermilk.
Coconut Milk-Replace the liquids it calls for with full fat coconut milk.
Coffee-For a chocolate cake mix or yellow cake mix, replace the liquid with brewed coffee.
Soda-To amplify the flavor replace the liquid amount with a dark soda such as coca-cola or dr. pepper. For flavored cake use flavored soda, such as orange soda in an orange pound cake.
Eggs-For athicker, moist cake add an extra egg.
Eggs + yolks– Add 2 Extra YOLKS. This adds more fat which gives the cake extramoistness and density and will takes like it came from a bakery! If the recipe calls for 3 eggs, add 3 eggs + 2 egg yolks.
Ice Cream-Replace the liquid for melted ice cream. Use any flavor to compliment the flavor of your cake or vanilla to enhance the cakes flavor. See my Strawberry Milkshake Poke Cake.
SHOP
Items needed to bake a cake:
vintage cake stand| cake stand|glass bowls | stand mixer | hand mixer | measuring cups | spatulas | cake server
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64 Comments
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Ginger
February 12, 2022 at 10:19 am ·Reply
What changes would you make for high altitude, above 5,000 feet?
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Debbie
January 6, 2022 at 10:03 am ·Reply
I forgot to add oil to my cake mix but did add sour cream and buttermilk. How will that affect my cake/taste? I have to stack it. Thank you!
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Jayne
June 9, 2021 at 4:26 pm ·Reply
So if hot water improves the flavor of chocolate cake, and milk improves cake flavor in general, does warm milk do anything extra for chocolate cake? Or does the hot water do enough so that the milk isn't needed?
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Marti
June 16, 2021 at 11:00 am ·Reply
The hot water is sufficient. :)
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terri lynn towns
April 18, 2021 at 1:41 pm ·Reply
How can I make my box cake taste more moist
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March 13, 2021 at 3:46 pm ·Reply
My recipe calls for one yellow cake mix which requires 1 stick of butter my recipe calls for instant pudding and a forth cup of oil do I use both oil and butter?
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Marti
March 15, 2021 at 11:42 am ·Reply
No, just use either oil or butter.
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Desiree
January 2, 2021 at 7:30 am ·Reply
I thought your supposed to double the butter if substitute for oil? Do you not if your using more then one substitute?
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Marti
March 15, 2021 at 11:44 am ·Reply
No. You don't need to double the butter.
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Terry Tyrone Walker
September 29, 2020 at 8:58 pm ·Reply
1: If I'm okay to use mayonnaise instead of vegetables oil? 2:Instead of sour cream it's okay to use Greek yogurt?
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Marti
September 30, 2020 at 1:42 pm ·Reply
Yes it is! :)
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Britt
September 18, 2020 at 8:42 pm ·Reply
How much butter should I use n place of the oil? I have read 1 cup butter = 3/4 oil, but I am unsure how this is figured. Is it ok to replace all 3 needed ingredients such as the water for milk, the oil for butter, and add 1 extra egg or 2 extra yolks? Will this make it too dry or dense? Thank you
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Marti
September 30, 2020 at 1:45 pm ·Reply
The oil/butter measurement you mentioned I would go by. It should be ok to substitute those ingredients, but oil will keep it more moist.
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Chrissie
September 9, 2020 at 7:56 pm ·Reply
Can you use one box instant pudding and one cup sour cream at the same time to a box cake mix?
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Marti
September 14, 2020 at 1:59 pm ·Reply
It may make the cake too thick!
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Melissa
August 21, 2020 at 1:22 pm ·Reply
So I incorporated some of these strategies....an extra egg, milk vs water, butter vs oil, the pudding mix and sour cream...my cakes not only boiled over the top of the pans but also did not fully bake. Is a longer bake time needed?
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Marti
September 8, 2020 at 10:09 am ·Reply
Sorry to hear that! It should not take longer. I have used several of these substitutions and have not had any problems.
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Joanne
August 8, 2020 at 5:28 pm ·Reply
When adding a box of vanilla instant pudding to a yellow cake mix,do you eliminate an ingredient? ( butter, water, eggs )
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Marti
August 19, 2020 at 1:55 pm ·Reply
No :)
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July 15, 2020 at 12:14 pm ·Reply
Thank you for all your tips Keep them coming
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Marti
July 28, 2020 at 10:06 am ·Reply
You're welcome!
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June 13, 2020 at 4:36 pm ·Reply
On the recipe it calls for water do I use the same I sour cream?
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Marti
June 14, 2020 at 6:47 am ·Reply
Hello Gerry, I'm sorry I don't understand your question.
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Kelsey
March 20, 2020 at 11:55 am ·Reply
When replacing oil with butter, should it be unsalted?
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Marti
March 21, 2020 at 11:43 am ·Reply
Cake mixes already have salt in them, so I recommend using unsalted butter. Enjoy!! :)
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Audrey Stokes
February 8, 2020 at 6:52 am ·Reply
In my brownie boxes mix, I used for the oil, half of required amount, I used my pear butter{ really sauce} and the other half oil. Very tasty and moist and was able to use some of my huge quantity of pear butter.Thanks for all the ideas.
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Marti
February 27, 2020 at 5:34 pm ·Reply
You're welcome! Sounds delicious, I'm glad it worked for you!
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Lori Wagley
December 29, 2019 at 8:20 pm ·Reply
Can you use sugar free sodas and instant puddings or do the have to be the kind with sugar?
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Marti@SewliciousHomeDecor
January 2, 2020 at 10:16 pm ·Reply
You can use instant puddings, but I would stick with regular sodas. :)
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Marybeth
September 19, 2019 at 9:11 am ·Reply
I have substituted butter for oil, milk for water, added one extra egg plus 1/2- 1 c sour cream and it has turned out amazing. Moist and rich. And on occasion I will add extra cocoa powder or several squirts of Hershey’s syrup and oh my, make a deep chocolate flavor. Try it sometime. Also try it Hershey’s syrup in boxed brownie. Tastes like from scratch
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Marti@SewliciousHomeDecor
September 29, 2019 at 3:06 pm ·Reply
That sounds amazing! I will definitely give it a try!
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January 23, 2019 at 12:17 pm ·Reply
are you saying use REAL BUTTER or margarine? Shows margarine.
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Marti@SewliciousHomeDecor
January 24, 2019 at 2:00 pm ·Reply
For this you can use either one you would like. They will not affect the cake, it’s more of a taste preference.
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Theresa
December 31, 2018 at 9:07 pm ·Reply
Yes I use butter and pudding all the time in my cakes.
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Madisyn
December 23, 2018 at 3:36 pm ·Reply
Can i use the pudding mix AND applesauce hack at the same time?
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Marti@SewliciousHomeDecor
December 24, 2018 at 12:50 pm ·Reply
Hello! I have not yet tried that combination, but it sounds like a great combination! I think it will work fine since you are adding eggs and liquid as called for. :)
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Josephine Trenery
October 1, 2020 at 12:02 pm ·Reply
I’m attempting to make a tiered cake for my daughters birthday. If I bake this cake ahead of time (one day before) and keep it in the fridge over night, will it effect the moistness and richness of the cake?
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Marti
October 11, 2020 at 11:52 am ·Reply
I think it will. I would try to make it the same day if possible.
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October 31, 2018 at 1:40 pm ·Reply
Great article! I added a link to it in one of my posts on Mama's Strawberry Cake, which begins with a mix. Thanks for sharing! I know my readers will enjoy it and they'll probably want to become your readers too!
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Marti@SewliciousHomeDecor
October 31, 2018 at 2:16 pm ·Reply
Thank you so much!! :)
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Kathy
October 9, 2018 at 3:33 pm ·Reply
When i make boxed brownies i use coffee instead of water. Never thought to do that with chocolate cake. Guess I'llbe baking this weekend!
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Sally Clark
September 30, 2018 at 5:59 pm ·Reply
I just read your alternatives and have a cake mix (which is rare) so I’m going to try a couple of replacements. The coconut milk sounds good and then I can make coconut cooked frosting. Yummy
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Colby
August 26, 2018 at 1:36 pm ·Reply
If I use butter milk and egg whites, should I still add butter?
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Marti@SewliciousHomeDecor
October 28, 2018 at 10:31 am ·Reply
Yes. If the cake mix calls for it. :)
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Sunny
March 12, 2018 at 8:18 pm ·Reply
Hi , I Replaced water with coffee, added 2 egg yolks to 3 eggs, and butter for oil , don't know how it will turn out , but , thank you for the supper easy exchanges in ingredients , it is about time some with sense and understanding of non gourmet gals and gents how really want to show off thank you for the added knowledge and wisdom. I will always keep this on my home screen of my phone always, love you n God bless
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Marti@SewliciousHomeDecor
March 12, 2018 at 9:30 pm ·Reply
Glad you like the exchanges! You kinda have to experiment with them until you find a substitute you like. You can substitute 2 or 3 ingredients in one recipe, but it takes a little experimenting to get it just the way you like it! :)
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Veeni
March 12, 2018 at 2:51 am ·Reply
Hi, there is only Blueberry cheesecake flavoured instant pudding available in my town. Can I use that in a Red Velvet box mix cake? Will it alter the flavor? Thank you.
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Marti@SewliciousHomeDecor
March 12, 2018 at 3:35 pm ·Reply
Hello! Yes, if you use blueberry cheesecake instant pudding in a Red Velvet cake mix is will alter the flavor. You could try adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder OR reduce the liquid and add 1 cup sour cream OR I've even seen both cocoa powder and sour cream added. So you could try either one or both! I hope it turns out for you! :)
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Carol mcfarland
February 10, 2018 at 2:07 pm ·Reply
I love these ideas. So my question is do you do just 1 idea at a time or can you do more ? Like use butter not oil. Milk not water. Add a box of pudding mix. Use more eggs. I am confused. Please help. Thank You Carol
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Marti@SewliciousHomeDecor
February 10, 2018 at 6:01 pm ·Reply
You can substitute for butter, milk, and pudding mix all in the same recipe!
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Carla
January 1, 2018 at 9:53 pm ·Reply
If the recipe cause for a 1/2 cup of oil how much butter do I use and if the mix already have pudding in it do I still put instant pudding mix in it
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John H
January 9, 2018 at 5:23 pm ·Reply
1/2 cup of oil would be equal to 1/2 cup of melted butter, or one stick.
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Denise
December 21, 2017 at 6:44 am ·Reply
When you say use buttermilk and delete the liquids, does this include the oil? How much buttermilk? Thank you
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Marti@SewliciousHomeDecor
December 21, 2017 at 8:31 am ·Reply
Good question! If the recipe calls for water or milk you will just replace that with buttermilk, but you will need to add a little more buttermilk since its so thick. :)
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Sue
September 9, 2017 at 3:37 pm ·Reply
Chocolate cake mix: replaced oil with melted butter. Replaced water with milk. Yummy
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Marti@SewliciousHomeDecor
October 15, 2017 at 3:03 pm ·Reply
Sounds delicious! Glad it turned out! :)
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Sashi
November 20, 2016 at 10:17 am ·Reply
Great tips. Will definitely try some of these ideas. Never heard some of them sounds very interesting. Thanks
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Theresa
October 6, 2017 at 1:32 am ·Reply
Yes u r right I used milk in place of water omg it was good thanks
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Marti@SewliciousHomeDecor
October 6, 2017 at 12:51 pm ·Reply
Yay!!! Glad you liked it! :)
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