What does adding an extra egg to cake mix do?

Because eggs help build the cake's structure (don't use them and you're looking at a gooey mess), adding an extra egg yolk makes the cake batter denser . Translation: you'll have a moister confection. Conversely, she suggests an extra egg white for a fluffier cake.

How to jazz up a box cake mix?

Bump up the flavor by adding ½ to 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract . Making a spice cake? Add a little rum, almond, or orange extract as well. If you're making a white or yellow cake, add a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon or lime zest, or a bit of juice.

Is it better to use milk instead of water in a box cake mix?

Most box cake recipes will tell you to add water to the mix. Instead, try adding milk using the same proportions. This will make the cake richer and creamier because it ups the fat content . You can even use buttermilk here for a pleasant tang.

What does adding sour cream to cake mix do?

How Is Sour Cream Used in Baking? Sour cream is one of the fattiest dairy products; the extra fat content (for example, adding sour cream to a cake instead of milk) will make the cake moister and richer , says Wilk. "Fat, in any form (butter, lard, cream, etc.)

Should you beat eggs before adding to cake mix?

For chemically-leavened cakes — that is, cakes calling for baking powder or baking soda — it's OK if you don't remember to add the eggs until the end. Martina says, “Late in the mixing stage, eggs will incorporate better if you lightly beat them before adding to the batter.

Can I replace oil with melted butter in cake mix?

Most cake mixes call for oil, but butter will bring in amazing flavor. To substitute butter for oil in baking just melt the butter, measure it, let it cool, and add it as you would the oil . Compared to oil, butter will create a cake with a firmer, cakeier texture.

Can you put mayonnaise in cake mix?

1 box of chocolate cake mix 1 cup of mayo Sub mayo in place of the oil and eggs called for on your box of chocolate cake mix, add water as instructed, and bake as instructed . Top with frosting of choice (I made a chocolate glaze) and enjoy! It does not taste like mayonnaise but it is incredibly rich and moist!

How many eggs for 2 boxes of cake mix?

If you are planning to combine the two boxes into one cake you are going to need six eggs . If you use only three the cake will not rise and will be dense and sort of chewy.

What makes a box cake rise more?

Add a leavening agent to the flour . Most cakes will call for a leavening agent like baking powder or baking soda. These create the bubbles you need for the cake to rise.

Can I use sour cream instead of water in a cake mix?

How to use sour cream with boxed cake mix. The best way to use sour cream with a boxed cake mix is to use it to replace the other liquids in the recipe, like milk or water . You can add up to a cup, or essentially the same amount of liquid you were originally meant to add, per the manufacturer's instructions.

Why do bakers doctor a box cake?

The added ingredients give the cake a better texture, more flavor, and more stability for stacking . Doctoring a box mix is a great way to make your cake taste better if you're not a confident baker yet or you just need a shortcut.

6 Ways to Make Boxed Cake a Whole Lot Better (2024)

InCheap Trickswe’ll help you make the most of everyday supermarket staples. Next up: How to make boxed cake better (like so good people will think it’s homemade).

Cake mixes are wildly popular and, in certain circles, somewhat controversial. While their convenience can’t be denied, the reality that they’re not homemade hangs over them. That’s where doctoring upboxed mix comes in—not only can it make the cake taste better, but it also makes peoplefeel like they’re baking.

1. Switch up the liquid.

At the very least, replace the water called for on the package with another liquid: apple cider, coffee,buttermilk, even pink Champagne. Use that same liquid to make a glaze or frosting, as in apple cider cake with apple cider glaze. Or turn to citrus, from lemon to orange to lime to grapefruit, or even clementine. Add the zest and juice tovanilla cake batter and frosting for a supercharged citrus cake.

2. Enrich with fat.

The directions on theback of the box will tell you to addvegetable oil; for a densercrumb and bigger flavor, swap inunsalted butter.Melted butter can be used in the same quantity and manner as the fat called for in any boxed cake recipe. Or you can change out the neutral oil for fragrant olive oil, especially when pairing with citrus (as inolive oil–lemon cake).Mix inroom-temperature cream cheese, ricotta,sour cream, whole-fat yogurt, or peanut butter in addition to the fat called for on the box to yield even richer cakes.

3. Amp up the flavor.

Simply put, most boxed chocolate cake mixes need more chocolate. I’ve successfully added up to 6 ounces of melted bittersweet chocolate (or Nutella) to box-cake batter. To enhance the richness of chocolate batters even more, add a spoonful of Kahlua, dark rum, or espresso. Pair withchocolatebuttercream frosting.

Foryellow cake, I like toadd in a drop or two ofmaple flavoring, which packs more flavor than mostvanilla extracts. And infusing the liquid in the batter or glaze with rosemary,lavender, or Earl Grey tea adds another level of sophistication. You can also addalmond extract (sparingly; it’s potto give the cake a boost of warmth.

6 Ways to Make Boxed Cake a Whole Lot Better (2024)

1. Switch up the liquid.

2. Enrich with fat.

3. Amp up the flavor.

FAQs

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