topic Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable? in Recipes

Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

house_cat — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 23:31:52 GMT

I have to take cupcakes to work for a Valentine's treat. I thought I'd take a shortcut and I purchased two boxes of strawberry cake mix... but then I had second thoughts. I really want a denser, more bakery style cake.

I found this cake mix "hack" online.

It has 31 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reviews.

This is the original website.

To make boxed cake mix taste like bakery cake:

The only directions to note are that whatever the back of the box directs you to use, you have to:

Add an additional egg.
Replace the water with milk, same amounts.
Replace the oil with melted butter. DOUBLE the amount.
Cook with the same directions that are printed on the box.

I'm not concerned that it's an artery-clogger, because it's a treat and no one is expecting health food.... but it seems like it would turn out greasy. Has anyone ever tried this? Do these substitutions sound reasonable?

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

patbz — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 23:37:24 GMT

Why not try a test run and tell us how it turns out!

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

Kachina624 — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 23:39:00 GMT

I'd use the bitter bit I wouldn't double it.

If anyone wants a pretty, really good Valentine cake, take a white cake mix, add a small jar of maraschino cherries chopped, use cherry juice in lieu of water (add water if there isn't enough juice), add chopped pecans. Make layers, cupcakes or 9 X 13 pan. This was dad's favorite cake.

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

house_cat — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 23:43:09 GMT

@patbz wrote:
Why not try a test run and tell us how it turns out!

Well, I need both boxes. I'm baking them later tonight or in the morning. I will let you know how they turn out, but I was hoping someone would say they've tried it and it turned out nicely.

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

happycat — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 23:49:51 GMT

@Kachina624, that sounds yummy!

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

I1ST5XS — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 23:53:19 GMT

Sounds pretty good to me. Definite improvement.

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

Kachina624 — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 23:53:36 GMT

@happycat. It is very good and pretty too. I now add extra flour and baking powder to compensate for skimpy cake mixes

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

PA Mom-mom — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 23:57:11 GMT

@house_cat I'm not really sure what you are looking for, but have you considered adding sour cream?

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

jannabelle1 — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 00:04:47 GMT

I don't know about it tasting more like a bakery cake - I actually like home made or box mixes better! I've read a number of articles that suggest to make box cake mixes more moist and flavorful to

substitute butter for oil
substitute most any liquid for water, e.g., orange juice, apple juice, pineapple juice, cherry juice (see @kachina's recipe), etc. Or, add the juice to water to make the amount needed.
add 1 additional egg

I know that's almost exactly the suggestion you had to make a cake more dense. I honestly don't know about that, but I've always followed the suggestions and the cakes were nice and moist.

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

Mary Bailey — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 00:13:47 GMT

@house_cat

I used to bake and decorate cakes in the 80s.

I say yes!

I used extra egg, milk instead of water, butter instead of oil (don't remember doubling it)

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

Nonametoday — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 00:29:58 GMT

@house_cat wrote:
I have to take cupcakes to work for a Valentine's treat. I thought I'd take a shortcut and I purchased two boxes of strawberry cake mix... but then I had second thoughts. I really want a denser, more bakery style cake.

I found this cake mix "hack" online.
It has 31 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reviews.
This is the original website.

To make boxed cake mix taste like bakery cake:
The only directions to note are that whatever the back of the box directs you to use, you have to:
Add an additional egg.
Replace the water with milk, same amounts.
Replace the oil with melted butter. DOUBLE the amount.
Cook with the same directions that are printed on the box.

I'm not concerned that it's an artery-clogger, because it's a treat and no one is expecting health food.... but it seems like it would turn out greasy. Has anyone ever tried this? Do these substitutions sound reasonable?

@house_cat I do that all the time and it works. I add 2 eggs instead of one, use the butter and milk, as stated.

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

RollTide2008 — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 00:57:46 GMT

I do that but I don’t double the butter. Put some homemade frosting on them, and no one will know.

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

Spacrazy — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 01:02:29 GMT

Sounds yummy - I’m fixin to try it...

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

ECBG — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 01:10:00 GMT

I would think they would just turn out slightly richer. The butter is divided between all of the cupcakes.

I think you'll be ok. Let us know, OK?

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

Spacrazy — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 01:09:42 GMT

Oh gosh, this sounds delicious - y’all are killin’ me, yum!!

(but, thanks)

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

sunshine45 — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 01:19:12 GMT

another great way to perk up a boxed cake mix......this is generally what i do.

cake mix of your choice

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup sugar

4 eggs

1/2 cup melted butter

1/4 cup milk or juice or soda

1 - 2 tsp of vanilla (or any other extract, depending on what type of cake you are making.

so, for a strawberry cake mix, use the above recipe, and use 1 -2 tsp of strawberry extract and, 1/4 cup of milk/half n half/cream OR 1/4 cup strawberry soda or strawberry lemonade.

also works well with orange flavors, citrus lemon or lime, add booze, cinnamon nut swirl inside, etc......you can do a lot of experimenting.

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

SXMGirl — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 01:25:53 GMT

@house_cat I know that I am very late responding, but I always add at least one extra egg (sometimes two), milk, and butter. I have always received compliments on my baked goods.

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

house_cat — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 02:04:24 GMT

Thanks, everyone!

I feel much better knowing I've gotten the go-ahead from my forum friends!

I also like the idea of the sour cream. I've made many sour cream cakes, but I've never thought of adding it to boxed mix.

I will surely post a review tomorrow and a photo!

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

Sooner — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 02:13:20 GMT

In my mind, it's just as easy to make a simple home made cake than get a boxed mix. King Arthur Flour site has a number of simple recipes.

Re: Does this cake hack sound reasonable?

LilLadyNJ — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 02:25:26 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
In my mind, it's just as easy to make a simple home made cake than get a boxed mix. King Arthur Flour site has a number of simple recipes.

I have followed the recipes in "the Cake Bible" where I can whip up a cake from scratch in the time it takes the oven to heat up.