Want to make your boxed cake mix taste homemade? Discover 40 of the best boxed cake mix add-ins and upgrades—easy ways to enhance flavor, texture, and add that all-important wow factor!
Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into a Bakery-Worthy Treat!
Boxed cake mix is one of the best baking shortcuts out there—but that doesn’t mean you have to stick with the basics. What if I told you there are dozens of ways to take that basic box mix and transform it into something extraordinary?
Whether you're baking for a birthday, holiday, or just a late-night craving, with a few clever add-ins and simple upgrades, you can transform any box of cake mix into something truly impressive. From pantry staples like sour cream and chocolate chips to genius swaps like milk for water or butter for oil, these ideas will take your cake to the next level.
Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just having fun in the kitchen, here are 40 of the best boxed cake mix add-ins and upgrades to help you bake outside the box!
My Boxed Cake Mix Journey
When I started this blog back in 2021, I founded it on the premise that lots of people (as in thousands) probably use boxed cake mixes like I do. I’m pretty sure I confessed in one of my earliest posts about the guilt I carried whenever I passed off a wedding cake, birthday cake or anniversary cake to someone.
Why? Because I thought they would cringe if they knew that, underneath that lovely homemade frosting and beautiful decor, they would find a boxed cake mix.
Turned out, they didn’t care.
I know, because I finally spilled the beans. They loved the cake so much that they simply didn’t care.
And why should anyone balk at the idea of starting with a boxed mix? They’re convenient, inexpensive, and easy to find in the stores. They make a terrific foundation for a cake that you can jazz up with any number of ingredients.
And that, my friends, is why I decided to make this post. I’ve already got a handful of doctored cake mix posts, but this one is different. Keep reading to discover 40 boxed cake mix secrets that will help you wow a crowd—or just treat yourself to something extra special.
Let’s get to the good stuff! Here are 40 secrets to a better cake using simple ingredients you might already have in your kitchen!
Ready, Set. . .Grab that Cake Mix!
1. Add milk in place of water
Milk adds richness and makes your cake taste homemade. I have been using this hack for years. Sometimes I do half and half (half water/half milk). The fat component in milk really adds to the moistness and texture of the cake. (Yum!)
2. Add an extra egg
More eggs = more structure, moisture, and a bakery-style crumb.
When I make my Ultimate Chocolate Cake I like to add extra eggs. Chocolate cakes are often dry, so adding moisture is always a great idea.)
3. Add butter in place of oil
Melted butter gives boxed cakes a deeper, richer flavor.
Remember that chocolate cake I mentioned above? I used half melted butter and half vegetable oil. Vegetable oil makes for a lighter cake, but butter makes for a more favorable one.
4. Add vanilla or almond extract
Amp up the flavor with just a teaspoon or two of extract. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve added vanilla to a simple box of cake mix. White. Yellow. Chocolate. Doesn’t matter. The vanilla is going in there. And almond? I don’t add much to my white cake mix, but I can’t imagine doing a wedding cake without almond in it. There’s just something so fancy about that almond flavor.
5. Add egg whites only for white cakes
Using only egg whites will keep the cake color pure and tender. I know that eggs are pricey these days but you can save the yolks to make my homemade lemon curd or even custard. I promise, if you just use the whites you’ll end up with the prettiest white cake you’ve ever seen. And there’s nothing lovelier than cutting into a bright white cake, especially at a wedding or other fancy event.
6. Add browned butter
This brings a toasty, nutty depth that elevates simple cakes. I make a Brown Butter Walnut cake that starts with a box of yellow cake mix and y’all. . .it’s divine. Browned butter adds so much richness. It really takes the cake over the edge, I promise.
7. Add a box of instant pudding
Pudding improves moisture, flavor, and structure. And you know what else it does? It adds options. You can use coordinating flavors. For instance, if you’ve only got a box of white cake mix but you’ve got a box of instant Oreo pudding mix? You’ve got the makings of a divine Oreo cake! Or, let’s say you start with a yellow cake but you’ve got instant lemon pudding. Yum! Lemon cake! Other pudding flavors you might consider would include butterscotch, chocolate, French vanilla, or even coconut. (I love adding coconut pudding.)
8. Add spice
Cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice—perfect for fall cakes and flavor twists. It doesn’t take much but adding a couple teaspoons of your favorite spices will turn an ordinary cake into an extraordinary one in seconds! (Speaking of seconds: folks will come back for seconds once they taste your spicy cake!) I used a ton of spice in my Banana Spice Cake and it turned out great!
9. Add chocolate chips
Did you know you can add up to a cup of chocolate chips into your cake batter? Just flour them first to prevent sinking! I used this method when making my Black Forest Bundt cake and the outcome was delicious!
10. Add sour cream
Sour cream boosts moisture and gives the cake a tender crumb. I make an amazing Chocolate Pound Cake that incorporates sour cream. Man, is it good!
11. Add yogurt
Greek or regular yogurt adds protein and richness. I found this out (the easy way) when I made my Granny Cake (Greek Yogurt cake). Yogurt adds a tremendous amount of flavor and a lovely, subtle tang. You can also substitute greek yogurt for sour cream in most doctored cake mix recipes.
12. Add heavy whipping cream
Whipping cream gives cakes a velvety texture. I always keep whipping cream in my fridge. This addition is especially good in pound cakes, where you’re trying to end up with a thicker, lusher batter.
13. Add a can of soda
Root beer, cola, or lemon-lime—great for fun flavors and dairy-free bakes. There are a ton of recipes online for this method. Basically, you replace the water in the mix with soda to add both flavor and aeration. I used coca-cola in a scratch chocolate cake recipe, but you could just as easily add it to a boxed chocolate cake.
14. Replace water with coffee
Perfect for chocolate cakes—adds bold, rich depth. I recently made a huge chocolate cake for 150 senior citizens. I added a teaspoon of expresso powder to warm milk then poured it into the mix. So delicious. Coffee always enhances chocolate flavor.
15. Use melted ice cream
Choose a flavor you love for added moisture and fun. You can use the ice cream to replace the milk in your mix. I think it would be fun to choose butter pecan with a yellow cake mix. Or cookies and cream with a white cake mix. There are so many options!
16. Add citrus zest
Lemon, lime, or orange zest gives your cake a bright pop of flavor. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve reached for my zester while baking a boxed cake. I made a delicious lemon pound cake that started with a box of white cake mix.
17. Fold in crushed cookies
Oreos or vanilla wafers add crunch and sweetness. They’re a simple way to dress up the inside of a cake and also a terrific way to add texture and flavor to your fillings between the layers of your boxed cake mix. (I’m telling you, if you add chopped Oreos between the layers of a chocolate (or white) cake and then add my Dreamy Buttercream your guests are going to swoon!
18. Swirl in fruit preserves
This technique adds pockets of fruity flavor and color. But I’m also a huge fan of using strawberry or blackberry preserves between the layers of a cake to add extra texture, flavor, and sweetness. By the way, preserves pair well with Cream Cheese frosting. (Yum!)
19. Add mashed bananas
This is great for moisture and a natural sweetness boost. I added bananas to a caramel cake and. . .wow! Talk about the perfect flavor combination! Best of all, it started with a simple box of yellow cake mix.
20. Mix in shredded coconut
Coconut is tropical, chewy, and totally delicious. I would add coconut to just about everything if I thought I could get away with it. But I was particularly pleased with my Pineapple Coconut cake. It was a big hit at a women’s event I went to.
21. Swirl in cream cheese
Creates a cheesecake-style ribbon in your cake. I used cream cheese in my Earthquake cake and it added a ton of texture and flavor.
22. Add chopped nuts
Walnuts, pecans, pistachios, or almonds: All of these add texture and flavor. I absolutely adore nuts in cake, especially my over-the-top Italian Cream cake. It’s this pecan lover’s favorite!
23. Use flavored extracts
Maple, butter, coconut—just a little goes a long way. Out of butter? Use vegetable oil, but reach for the butter extract. Want to change a white cake mix to a lemon cake but you don’t have any zest or lemon juice? Just a bit of extract with a dot of yellow food coloring will do. I often add maple extract to my fall cakes (especially the ones with browned butter in them). And (like I mentioned above) almond is a personal favorite. Only once have I ever made a wedding cake without almond in it. That particular bride didn’t care for it. But most of the guests I’ve served have swooned over that teensy-tiny little addition!
24. Fold in sprinkles
For an instant funfetti celebration, fold in up to a cup of sprinkles. Just be sure they’re easy on the teeth. (Some sprinkles are larger and harder to chew.) If your sprinkles are colorful, don’t over-mix the batter or the color will bleed into the cake mix.
25. Swirl in caramel or dulce de leche
Sticky, sweet, and completely irresistible, adding caramel (like I did in my caramel banana cake) is always a great option! (Did you know you can make your own caramel or dulce de leche with a simple can of sweetened condensed milk? It’s true!)
26. Swirl in peanut butter or Nutella
Choose this option and you’ll end up with creamy ribbons of nutty goodness. (Slightly off the subject but I added peanut butter to my banana bread once and it was delicious!)
27. Add canned pie filling
Perfect layered into the middle or swirled through the batter. I like to substitute a whole can of pie filling for some of the other liquids in my cake mix. I did that with my Strawberry Pie Filling cake. Yum! So moist and delicious!
28. Add mini marshmallows
They melt into gooey, sweet bites. I haven’t tried it yet but I found a recipe for Mississippi Mud Cake over at Tastes Better from Scratch that I’d like to try soon. I’m guessing I could start with a box of chocolate cake mix.
29. Toss in chopped candy bars
Snickers, Butterfinger, M&Ms—yes, please! Add them to the batter if you’re brave (I haven’t tried it) but here’s a more reasonable suggestion: Decorate the top of the boxed cake with them. I did this with my Ultimate Chocolate cake.
30. Brush baked layers with simple syrup
This keeps the cake extra moist and adds flavor. You can flavor your simple syrup any way you like. I found a great post explaining how to do that!
31. Use buttermilk instead of water
Tangy and rich—buttermilk is perfect for chocolate or red velvet. I often add buttermilk to my boxed cake recipes (especially any mix that has the word “velvet” in the name. Like red velvet. White velvet. Chocolate velvet. (Hint: If you don’t have buttermilk you can always add a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of whole milk to make your own version of buttermilk.
32. Add a pinch of salt
Salt balances sweetness and enhances flavor. Doesn’t matter if you’re making a sweet or savory cake, a pinch of salt will amplify the flavors.
33. Use a bundt pan
A bundt pan offers more surface area = more texture and golden edges. I made a cake just this morning (a doctored cake mix pound cake) and the edges of the cake were lovely and golden. So yummy!
34. Add a splash of liqueur
Amaretto, Kahlua, or Grand Marnier. . .these are all great for grown-up flair.
35. Mix in grated carrots or zucchini
This is a fun but sneaky way to add veggies and extra moisture to your cake. Did you know you can take a simple spice cake mix and add carrots to it to turn it into a carrot cake?
36. Top with streusel
Instant coffee cake transformation! My Blueberry Bread with Streusel topping starts with a box of white cake mix. So simple, and so delicious!
37. Make surprise-filled cupcakes
Fill the center with ganache, jam, or cream. I love to “hole out” the center of a cupcake and add mousse, marshmallow fluff, ganache, or other fun fillings. You can also stuff them with candy or other sweet treats. Holiday cupcakes are particularly great with fillings!
38. Orange juice
This is a personal favorite! I always like to add a cup of orange juice to my carrot cake cupcakes in place of milk or water. It really amps up the flavor. And you don’t have to stop with orange! Add lemonade to a lemon cake. Add cranberry juice to a fall cake. The possibilities are endless!
39. Canned fruit
Add a cup of crushed pineapple, mandarin oranges, or other canned fruit in place of some of the liquid in your recipe. I did this with my 3-Ingredient Pineapple cupcakes and they were delicious!
40. Use cake mix to make cookies
Just add oil and eggs—voilà, cookie magic! I’ve got a ton of cake mix cookie recipes on this blog. My favorite (and most popular)? My Dolly Parton Coconut cookies with lemon glaze, which start with a box of Dolly’s coconut cake mix.
From Box to Brilliant—Let’s Bake Outside the Box!
That’s it for my ideas, friends. If you have more, let me know in the comments. I’m always keen to try new things, as you have probably guessed by now.
With these easy boxed cake mix add-ins and upgrades, you'll never settle for a plain cake again. Whether you're looking for richness, texture, or a fun twist, each tip adds a homemade feel without the fuss.
Ready to bake like a pro?
Check out more creative tips and crowd-pleasing recipes at Out of the Box Baking. Happy baking!
That’s it for this post, friends! I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe.
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About the Author
Janice Thompson is an author, baker, and all-around mischief maker! She has overcome a host of baking catastrophes, including a toppled wedding cake, to learn more about the baking process. Janice has published over 165 books for the Christian market but particularly enjoys writing recipes and baking devotions. To learn more about Janice or to drop her a note, visit her About the Author page.