It’s 2025 — what are you still doing following the instructions on the cake mix box?! There are so many easy ways to upgrade boxed cake mix while still keeping the whole thing far simpler than baking a cake from scratch. Most boxed cake mix calls for water, oil, and egg, all of which help add moisture and structure to the cake. The mix itself really has all the basic things you need: flavor, leavening, and texture. So, really, you can add your own ingredients to make boxed cake mix taste homemade. You’ve probably heard that baking is a science, but we’re not changing the experiment, just swapping the formula around.
First: Get rid of the water. All it does in a boxed mix is add moisture so you’re not left with a dry, crumbly mess. Swap it for milk, and you’ll be satisfied, but swap it for buttermilk and you’ll feel like the Cake Boss. Milk instead of water means more fat, which almost always translates to a more moist, flavorful, hearty bite of cake. But buttermilk takes this up a notch with its extra acidity. This acidity tenderizes the gluten and give you a moister bite and softer crumb in whatever flavor cake you’re making — from vanilla to red velvet to chocolate. Actually, it can make red velvet cakes even better, since they’re typically made with finer ingredients. Just remember: Because buttermilk is thicker than water, you may want to use slightly more than the box calls for.
More liquid swaps and other ways to enhance boxed cake
Buttermilk will take your cake to new heights, but there are some other honorable liquid-swap mentions that’ll leave you with a wow-worthy, ultra-moist cake from a box. Swapping water out for brewed coffee is one of the best ways to make a bakery-worthy chocolate cake, since it gives the cocoa a much deeper, rich flavor that will truly transform each bite. Even using soda or soda water in place of water can make the cake better, since the carbonation adds more aeration and moisture. For something thicker, sour cream or full-fat yogurt can add density, perfect if you’re aiming for a pound cake-style texture with extra moisture.
Even after you’ve tossed water for something better, you can experiment further. A boxed cake mix is basically your blank canvas, so treat it like one. First, start with using high-quality ingredients across the board. Choose the freshest, top-shelf eggs, milk, and oil or butter; it really will go a long way. Try browning your butter first to add a deep nuttiness throughout the cake. Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth, swirl in jam or lemon curd, or stir a handful of crushed cookies or chocolate chips into the batter. The beauty of cake mixes isn’t just convenience, but the wide-open door for creativity!
