Make box cake mixes taste homemade

[HandyMom]

If you want to make a boxed cake mix taste much better and less like a store bought mix, add 1 cup of sour cream to the batter. Once you have mixed all the dry and wet ingredients together, add the sour cream, continue to mix as usual. It will puff up a little more but don't worry, it will end up great and the cake will be super moist! May have to cook a little longer (5-10 minutes)

To make a canned frosting taste much better, add and beat (with your mixer) an 8oz square of cream cheese to the can of frosting.

I did this for Valentines cupcakes and everyone loved them and wanted more before I could even take a picture of them.:bowing

[Thevail]

Thanks..I tend to use the boxed mixes. I'm just not a baker.

[Spirit Deer]

It's even easier than that. Just use unsweetened applesauce instead of the oil called for in the instructions. The cake will be nice and moist, not all dry and crumbly like when it's made with oil.

[Patty A]

Another great one to add is mandarin oranges. Pour mandarin oranges (juice and all) in to a measuring cup. Add enough water to equal what ever amount of liquid (to the mandarin oranges and juice that is already in the cup) it calls for.
Example, cake calls for 1 and 1/2 cups of water. When you measure the mandarin oranges it equals 1 cup, then add 1/2 cup of water to the mix.
I cut the oranges up a little while they are in the cup, just run a knife through them and pull any seeds you see.
Add the eggs and oil (or applesauce) and you have an awesome cake that is so moist and yummie!
Bake as directed, it makes no difference on the baking time.

To frost it add a little orange flavoring (either squeeze some fresh orange juice and zest, or use orange flavoring) to the frosting and you have a really nice cake.

It dresses up nicely with a little grated orange in it, or some orange slices arranged on or around the cake.

[ttistin]

You can also add an extra egg to the mix, makes it moist and oh so yummy

[frugalfranny]

Thanks a bunch. I use the boxed mixes all the time, as I usually make cup cakes.......this should all work out the same ...right gang?

Can't wait to try it and we are supposed to be cool enough this weekend that I can bake and not worry about heating up the house.

[pat in east texas]

My caterer friend, who makes great wedding cakes, uses extra egg and adds sour cream to the mixes she uses. When the layers get a round top,she cuts the top off and brings them to us, sometimes with leftover frosting. I haven't made a cake in a long time.

[frugalfranny]

My caterer friend, who makes great wedding cakes, uses extra egg and adds sour cream to the mixes she uses. When the layers get a round top,she cuts the top off and brings them to us, sometimes with leftover frosting. I haven't made a cake in a long time.

Oh! I am sooooooo jealous!

[Laurie in Bradenton]

Thanks for the tip I was wondering how I was going to use up the 1/2 pound container a friend just gave me.

Laurie in Bradenton