ktgrok Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 My daughter's birthday is today:party: Her party is tomorrow, and I am making the cake. I always make the cake. I have a total aversion to buying a birthday cake for my child, and can't bring myself to do it. Now the problem is that my kitchen has been gutted for remodeling. I have a sink, a stove/oven, and my husband will bring in a folding table for me to work on. All my stuff is packed up. So, making a cake from scratch sounds like a bit too much to expect of myself. Also, I need to feed a lot, so I'm making a 9 x 13 cake, but with two layers, and then a dozen cupcakes as well. Plus I will make my own chocolate buttercream frosting. So, since I'm using a mix, anyway to make it better? Easily? Best brand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderchica Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 My "better" recommendation would be homemade frosting, which you're already doing. I prefer Duncan Hines mixes myself, I recently used their French Vanilla in a pinch and liked it a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Add more flavoring (ie: cocoa or vanilla or mint or whatever). I think using real butter instead of oil is also good. look what I found when I googled : how to improve a boxed cake mix http://www.livestrong.com/article/433324-how-to-make-a-box-cake-mix-taste-better/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca VA Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Happy birthday to your dd! She is one of three girls on these boards to have a birthday today. My daughter is 15 today, and RainbowSprinkles' daughter is also having a birthday. Too bad they can't all get together for a giant party! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sputterduck Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 My nana put a box of pudding in her cakes. Never has a cake been so moist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 My favorite boxed cake dressup is: 1 package plain cake mix (like white or vanilla) 1 c. whole millk 8T/1 stick real butter, melted at low heat 3 large eggs 2 t. vanilla extract plus up to 4 t. other flavoring (total of 6t or 2T total) Bake the cake as usual. While it's baking, make a simple syrup....1 part water, 1 part white sugar (I usually do 1/2 c. each) and add flavoring extracts of your choice. Paint this over the baked and turned out cake to seal in crumbs. Then make a really nice frosting. Yum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThisIsTheDay Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Cake mixes are a whole lot better than they were when I was a kid; I'd buy the cheapest brand (although I'd probably skip Walmart brand just on principle). Canned frosting, imo, is still not so great (but my kids love it). I think your cake will turn out GREAT!!!! Happy BIRTH day to you and your dd!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 My grandma always made them into Yummy moist poundcakes! Take your favorite boxed mix, add two small instant puddings, 4 eggs, 3/4 cups water, 1/4 cup oil. Ignore all box directions! Mix in chocolate chips. The recipie says one cup....I use one small bag ;) Combs we love: Duncan hines extra moist devils food or fudge cake mix With fudge devils food pudding and ghiredelli (sp?) Dark chocolate chips. The fudge option is super dark, the devil's food is less so. Strawberry cake mix, vanilla pudding, same chips. DO NOT use white chocolate chips.....they sink and melt weird, it was a disaster amd tasted weird. I have iced with buttercream and whipped icing. It is really good in iced with whipped cream or cool whip. For a fun addition to the chocolate, add crushed pepermints to the cool whip. You can make it with white cake, vanilla pudding, and chocolate chips. I have never tried butterscotch chips. You can also leave the chips out all together. Cook time is one hour at 350 for a bundt pan, 20-30 for cupcake size. Layer cakes I habe done at 45 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 thanks all! I found an amazing recipe that mixed cake mix, a can of cherry pie filling, and eggs, but I'm scared it would be so moist it wouldn't hold up well......might just do the "add pudding" tip and stick with that. Oh, and I am putting some almond extract in the chocolate frosting, so yum! Still thinking about that cherry/chocolate cake... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Oh, forgot....for the strawberry I grizzled it with chocolate and filled the bundt pan hole with Choc covered strawberries....it was a big hit and it was beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I learned to substitute all or part of the water for a lemon/lime soda. I also add a scope or two of softened vanilla ice cream while mixing the batter. I think you have to cook it for a few more minutes then what they recommend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnTeaching Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I hope your cake and party turn out great!! Box mixes have saved this Georgia Swamp girl when baking at Colorado high altitude. When I first moved here, I baked my favorite "dinette cake" recipe. It had ALWAYS been totally reliable. Moist, tall, and light. Here, it turned into a hard, flat brick.:confused: Thank goodness for cake mixes. (Just please don't tell my Grandma that I use a box.);) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda in TX Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 The homemade frosting is what really "makes" the cake. I use a cake mix and homemade frosting and it's always a hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 For extra cuteness, stir in sprinkles just before pouring the batter into the pan. The rainbow round sprinkles work especially well, but any color will do. Ooops - sounds like you are doing chocolate cake - well, it's still cute, but not as dramatic as a lighter cake mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 :iagree: on the homemade frosting---sometimes I'll add a little extra REAL vanilla in-- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frugalmama Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 add an extra egg. Works every time for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMommy Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Betty Crocker makes a butter recipe cake mix, (available in both yellow and chocolate flavors), that's pretty good. You actually use butter in it instead of oil. That's the only cake mix cake I'll make, but nobody ever believes that's it's out of a box when I do make it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stages Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Replace the oil with sour cream. It works wonders on boxed chocolate cake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 thanks all! I found an amazing recipe that mixed cake mix, a can of cherry pie filling, and eggs, but I'm scared it would be so moist it wouldn't hold up well......might just do the "add pudding" tip and stick with that. Oh, and I am putting some almond extract in the chocolate frosting, so yum! Still thinking about that cherry/chocolate cake... I've used a similar recipe, and it turned out cake-like in one house's oven and very much pudding-like in another. I wouldn't risk it. However, why not just use a simple homemade version? I know you're not up for the complex ones, but a simple one is not any different than a doctored regular one. Yellow Cake 3 eggs 1 1//2 c sugar 1 1/2 tsp vanilla 1 1/2 cups flour 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 3/4 cup milk, heated to boiling 3 tbsp vegetable oil beat eggs, add sugar and vanilla, beat until fluffy. Add flour and baking powder, beat to combine. Add milk and iol, beat until smooth. 350F about 20 minutes for 2 8" round pans. Choc Cake (my favorite) 1 3/4 c flour 2 c sugar 3/4 c unsweetened cocoa 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 1/2 tsp baking soda 2 eggs 1 c milk 1/2 c veg oil 2 tsp vanilla 1 cup boiling water (I use the microwave) put flour sugar cocoa bp and bs in bowl and combine. Add eggs, milk, oil, vanilla, beat for about 2 minutes (by mixer or with a wisk). Pour in water, mix to combine. 350F, 30-35 min for 2 8" rounds. I've used similar recipes and quadrupled them, and it's worked out just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy in Indy Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Get a mix with pudding in the cake. Forget the directions! Add: mix 3 eggs 1 cup water 1cup mayo Mix thoroughly. Place in pan(s). Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Moist and yummy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I use buttermilk for the liquid and an extra egg. It's really good that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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