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From cookies to cake and everything in between, these Easy Cake Mix Recipes show you all the ways you can up-level the basic cake mix in your pantry. You may be surprised at all the things you can make, including cinnamon rolls and banana bread!
The Easiest Baking Hack Ever!
I have a secret. Though I love to bake and have no qualms about dedicating half an afternoon to perfecting a recipe for a special occasion…I also LOVE when baking a decadent dessert that everyone loves is fast and easy.
My hack to making cakes, cookies, and more quick and easy? Starting with cake mix! A box of Betty Crocker can speed up pretty much any recipe and reduce the time and ingredients needed, plus it’s a great way to sneak in extra flavor.
Cake mix cookies were one of the first cake mix recipes to become popular and while I’m definitely a fan of soft, chewy cake mix cookies, that’s just the tip of the iceberg on what you can make with a boxed mix.
I’ve rounded up all of my favorite cake mix recipes from the blog, so the next time you need a quick and easy dessert, just pick one from the list!
Why Use Cake Mix When Baking?
There are two main reasons to bake with cake mix. One, it saves time because everything is already measured and mixed and two, you don’t need to worry about a bunch of ingredients. In most recipes, cake mix takes the place of all dry ingredients.
There are other reasons too. For example, cake mix tends to keep desserts more moist – just as boxed cake is often more moister than from-scratch cake.
Flavored cake mix is also a great way to add and enhance flavor in a recipe.
What Can You Make With Cake Mix?
So, what exactly can you use cake mix to make? As you’ll see from the cake mix recipes below, the possibilities are pretty endless. If a recipe is usually made with basic cake dry ingredients, you can likely use a cake mix.
Here are a few possibilities:
The Best Cake Mix Recipes:
Ready to give it a try? Here are my favorite ways to use cake mix:
Cake Mix Cookies
With these Cake Mix Cookies, homemade cookies have never been easier! Choose from strawberry, chocolate, or vanilla and add your favorite mix-ins for an endless variety of cookie flavors.
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Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake
Layers of strawberry cheesecake, creamy cheesecake, and wafer cracker crust make this Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake a stand-out dessert for spring and summer. Using strawberry cake mix keeps this decadent recipe easy to make.
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Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Extra sweet and colorful, these Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls are an extra special treat, combining traditional cinnamon rolls and icing with the flavors of funfetti. All topped with sprinkles, of course!
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Caramel Apple Dump Cake
For a quick and easy dessert, turn to this Caramel Apple Dump Cake. All you need is apple pie filling, cake mix, spices, and butter. An hour later, dessert is ready!
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Easy Cake Mix Banana Bread Recipe
This Cake Mix Banana Bread is the easiest, most moist and flavorful banana bread you'll ever try. Just 5 ingredients needed, including vanilla cake mix and bananas.
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Lemon Chess Bars
The lemon cake mix used in these Lemon Chess Bars not only enhances the citrus flavor, it also makes the recipe super easy. Perfect for spring and summer!
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Cake Mix Cookie Bars
With just 4 ingredients, these Cake Mix Cookie Bars should be called Lazy Cookie Bars! The perfect recipe when you need freshly baked chocolate chip cookies in a pinch.
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Texas Sheet Cake Cookies
A cross between Texas sheet cake and double chocolate cookies, these Texas Sheet Cake Cookies are simply irresistible. Even better? Using cake mix means they require just 3 ingredients, plus the rich chocolate icing.
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Red Velvet Cheesecake
With 3 divine layers – red velvet cake, vanilla cheesecake, and whipped topping – this Red Velvet Cheesecake both looks and tastes decadent. Perfect for Valentine's Day, Christmas, or anytime!
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Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes
With all of the flavor of traditional upside down cake in perfect individual-sized portions, these Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes are light, fluffy, and super easy to make. Just 8 ingredients!
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Banana Split Cake Recipe
With layers of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry cake topped with a decadent frosting, this Banana Split Cake has all the flavors of your favorite ice cream sundae. Using cake mix for each layer makes this dessert surprisingly easy to make!
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Apple Cider Donut Cake
Topped with cinnamon sugar, these Apple Cider Donut Cake has all the tastes of fall. Applesauce helps to keep it extra moist, while cake mix makes it super easy to make.
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Tie Dye Pinwheel Cake
This Tie Dye Pinwheel Cake is bright, colorful, and surpisingly easy to make. Perfect for any 70s or rainbow-themed party, or just to add a pop of color to any dessert table.
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Easy Peach Dump Cake
Made with just 4 ingredients, this Peach Dump Cake is one of the easiest desserts you can make. Just dump the ingredients in the baking dish, bake, and enjoy!
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Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
Made with chocolate cake mix and pudding, these Hot Chocolate Cupcakes taste just like a steaming mug of your favorite winter beverage. Add peppermint sprinkles and a festive straw to the marshmallow topping for a festive holiday twist.
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Lemon Dump Cake
Sweet and tart, this Lemon Dump Cake is made with just 6 ingredients. Lemon cake mix and lemon curd give it the vibrant citrus flavor that pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an easy summer treat.
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Pineapple Whoopie Pies
A twist on the classic treat, these Pineapple Whoopie Pies feature cake-like cookies stuffed with a sweet pineapple cream cheese filling. With less than 10 ingredients total, these whoopie pies make an easy summer treat.
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Starbucks Cake Pops
Cake mix makes these Strawberry Birthday Cake Pops surpisingly easy. This Starbucks copycat recipe is perfect not only for birthday parties but any occassion when you want to put a smile one someone's face.
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Chocolate Dump Cake
Delightfully rich, this Chocolate Dump Cake is made with all of the chocolate – chocolate cake mix, chocolate pudding, and chocolate chips. Just dump all of the ingredients in the baking dish and bake for the easiest chocolate dessert you can imagine.
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Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies with Strawberry Lemon Glaze
Not only are these Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies made with just 4 ingredients, they're topped with a sweet-tangy lemon strawberry glaze that's truly out of this world. These pink cookies are perfect for summer parties, baby showers, birthdays, and more.
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2-Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake
This Pineapple Angel Food Cake is really made with just 2 ingredients – cake mix and crushed pineapples. Add some whipped topping and pineapple slices before serving, if desired. Either way, this may be the easiest cake you'll ever make!
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More Irresistible Recipes:
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