When I first got married, I didn’t know how to cook, but I did know how to follow directions on a cake mix. I’d fix a lousy dinner with a 9×13 cake for dessert.
Jim and I would still be hungry after the pitiful dinner, so we’d eat half the cake. No kidding. It wasn’t healthy, but it was cheap. It worked for us then, since we were college students.
I’ve come a long way since then, but I still love a cake mix. It’s a fast way to make all kinds of cookies, bars, cakes of all types… The possibilities are endless.
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Cake Mix Cookies and Bars
Lemon Pineapple Cookies with Pineapple Glaze
Double Chocolate Coconut Cookies
Spiced Chai Cookies with Vanilla Cream Frosting
Strawberry Lemonade Cookies with Pink Lemonade Frosting
Tuxedo Bars with Buttercream Frosting
Cakes
Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Glaze
Old Fashioned Spice Cake with Caramel Glaze
Pineapple Upside Down Cake in the Slow Cooker
Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cake with Strawberry Icing
German Chocolate Upside Down Cake
Peach Pound Cake with Peach Nectar Glaze
Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting
Chocolate Cake with Cappuccino Frosting
Pound Cake from a Mix and 10 Ways to Top It
How do you like to fix up a cake mix?
Amanda Padgett says
This list is awesome, Tiffany, thank you!!! I pinned it and I’m sure I will be referencing it over and over!
Tiffany says
Thanks so much, Amanda!
Elli says
Try a cake mix ..any kind…with 1 can of soda…any kind..mix…put in greased pan, bake 30 to 40 minutes at 350F and BAM…all done!!! No oil..No egg!!! Takes away unneeded cholesterol and makes a delish cake!!! MOIST!!! Best combo ever~ Choc cake mix and Dr Pepper!!! Yummmy…Frost with fresh whipped cream (Heavy cream, powdered sugar, and a couple teaspoons of Dr. Pepper or any other flavor depending on what flavors of cake n soda you use)So many different cakes to be made with so little ingredients!!! You will be happily surprised!!! =)
Victoria says
WOW! Thanks for the tip. I’ll be trying this soon!
Debbie says
That’s amazing! It’s 2019 and I’m just seeing this! That chocolate & Dr Pepper combo sounds fantastic! Definitely going to try that! And maybe a Lemon Cake with Sprite – or with Orange Soda! Wow! Thank you!
Merdis says
Thank for the tips.that,s great to know
Susan says
What a list! I will have to try some of these with GF cake mixes. Thanks!
Emilee Belliston says
I love using cake mix for a quick and easy way to make cookies. I especially like making Rolo cookies. 1 box of Devil’s food cake, , 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1 egg and 1 egg white., mix all together, batter will look thick. 12 oz. bag of rolos unwrapped. Take about a tablespoon of cake batter and cover a rolo candy completely place on cookie sheet( cookies will be small and continue with all the cake batter until its gone. Bake at 350′ for 2-3 minutes then Enjoy a yummy Chocolate Carmel Treat
Anonymous says
That is a cool idea I will be trying that
sonya says
SOUNDS GOOD THX
Sherry says
You only need to cook the Rolo cookies 2 or 3 minutes?
Sharon says
I think she meant to write that they need to cool on a rack for 2-3 minutes after baking. The baking time will be about 7-10 minutes.
Dena says
Oh ~ Just YUM!
Elli says
After you add soda to cake mix~ Mix it with a whisk!! (sorry forgot to say that) THEN pour into lightly greased or sprayed pan~
Anonymous says
sounds yummy
Cynthia says
I love this suggestion! I will try it tonight!
Mary Ann says
My sister-in-law recently shared a cake mix cookie bar recipe/formula with me that’s really good and easy! We love it!
http://www.mrsmaryannshouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/cake-mix-cookie-bars.html
Jill says
All you need it a one-step angel food cake mix and a 15 oz. can of lemon pie filling.
Mix them together by hand until moist. Be sure not to over stir. Bake in a 9×13 cake pan at 350 degrees until golden brown on the top (about 20 minutes). Cool completely before eating. As they are cooling, you can sprinkle with powder sugar if you wish (Which I guess technically makes this a 3-ingredient recipe).They have more of an angel food cake texture than a traditional lemon bar texture.
Michelle says
A box of spice cake mix and a can of pumpkin puree. Mix the two together (it will be very very thick) and bake in a 12-muffin tin at 350 for 20-30 minutes
It makes awesome moist dense muffins and with only two ingredients it’s the easiest thing every. No eggs, no oil, no milk. . . awesome.
Anonymous says
Follow up on this recipe: my sister in law is diabetic. She mixes the can of pumpkin in ANY sugar free cake mix of your choice. She made it with sugar free chocolate and a can of pumpkin. Could not taste the pumpkin.
Frosted with chocolate free frosting. It was amazing!
Anonymous says
I love pumpkin in cake mix my 7 yr old will even eat it without icing
Lynda Alexander says
Add some pumpkin pie spice and it will have more pumpkin taste..
Denise says
My sister in law is diabetic and brought two cakes while on vacation. One night it was sugar free spice with can of pumpkin topped with sugar free cream cheese. Second night she surprised us with Chocolate sugar free cake, mixed with a can of pumpkin, and frosted with sugar free chocolate frosting. Delicious!!!! I had the spice in past but never would have tried chocolate cake mix with the pumpkin!!!!!
KDAMON says
AWESOME SITE! Try making a yellow cake mix as directed and then stir in butter pecan icing in the cake mix and bake as directed. Not sure of the name but it makes an awesome cake!!
Lovetarussell@gmail.com says
Can’t seem to find Butter Pecan frosting, only coconut pecan. Can you tell me the brand?
Tiffany says
I’m sorry, I don’t remember the brand.
Anonymous says
I would think coconut pecan would taste great
Debbie says
There is a recipe called Souther praline pecan cake that has the coconut pecan icing in the butter pecan cake mix. Then there is the icing.
Amy says
I make waffle for my kids every sunday with cake mix
Nicole says
Yum! Do you prepare the cake mix as on the box?!
Tiffany says
Nicole, which cake recipe were you asking about?
Anonymous says
the waffles! 🙂
Nicole says
In a pinch, I LOVE cake mix mug cakes. It’s half a cup of cake mix(any), 1/3 cup milk or water, 2 tablespoons veg oil and an egg yolk. Mix and nuke for 90sec. So easy and delish!!
Linda Lagnada says
Mug cake can be made with 1 cake mix…any flavor you like and 1 Angel food cake mix…empty both mixes into lg bowl and whisk together…store in a gallon Ziploc bag…when hungry for cake…put 3 Tblsp of mix in a cup with 2 Tblsp water and mix until blended…microwave for 1 min…let cool and top with frosting…cool whip or ice cream…keeps in a cool dry place up to 3 months😍
Beth Moore says
What a great idea for the kids on summer break!! Thanks, Linda 🙂
Viviana says
Thank you! thank you ! thank you! I absolutely love these types of recipes they are awesome & easy, especially for the Holidays.
Wani says
Here is my new favorite thing to use a cake mix for: Pumpkin Gooey Cake!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/pumpkin-gooey-butter-cakes-recipe/index.html
Mikki says
I have the BEST cookie recipe using a box cake mix. This is for gift giving. Makes two 1-quart size jars. The nice part is, your friends don’t have to add a ton of stuff to make their cookies.
Devil’s Food-Peanut Butter Chip Cookie Mix in a Jar
18.25 oz. Devil’s Food Cake Mix
2 C. Peanut Butter Chips
1 C. Chopped Walnuts
Spoon half of cake mix (about 1 1/2 cups) in each of two 1-quart wide-mouth canning jars. Tap jar lightly to settle cake mix. To each jar, add 1 cup chips and 1/2 cup walnuts. Seal jars. Attach copy of recipe (below) to each jar.
Jar of Devil’s Food-Peanut Butter Chip Cookie Mix
8 oz. Sour Cream
Heat oven to 350 F. Lightly spray cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray. In large bowl, combine cookie mix and sour cream; mix well. Drop by rounded spoonful 2 inches apart onto sprayed cookie sheets. Bake 11 minutes or until tops appear dry. Cool 1 minute. Remove from cookie sheets.
Heidi says
One of my favorites is to take a devils food cake mix and add 1 can of pure pumpkin and make 12 muffins out of it. I got the recipe from Hungry Girl. They’re so yummy and low calorie 🙂
Shonda says
Dump cake- can of crushed pinapples, cherry pie filling, box of yellow cake mix and a stick of butter. Mix cherries and pineapple in the bottom of a cake pan, sprinkle the cake mix on top slice butter on top of cake mix, bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Top with whipped cream or cream cheese frosting (I prefer no topping) mmmmm best cake mix dish ever!
Whitley says
Apple pie filling, or really any filling actually, sprinkle cake mix on top with some butter! It doesn’t even require any mixing! How awesome! Serve with vanilla ice cream!
Anonymous says
Melt 2sticks butter to be exact. Pour over the cake mix sprinkled over pie filling of your choice. (We like to sprinkle chopped nuts of your choice over the butter poured over cake mix. Bake approx 1 hr at 350 or until golden brown. We like it served hot or warm, topped with either cool whip or vanilla ice cream.
Iyana says
I like to make snickerdoodle cookies with cake mix.
3 tbsp sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 pkg Duncan Hines® Moist Deluxe® Classic Yellow Cake Mix
2 large eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 375 ºF. Grease cookie sheets.
Combine sugar and cinnamon in small bowl.
Combine cake mix, eggs and oil in large bowl. Stir until well blended. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place balls 2-inches apart on cookie sheets. Flatten balls with bottom of glass.
Bake at 375 ºF for 8 to 9 minutes or until set. Cool one minute on cookie sheets. Remove to cooling rack to cool completely.
They come out nice and soft. Especially good as mini ice cream sandwiches
Tiffany says
That sounds like a great recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Connie says
Can you make this as a bar cookie?
Connie C says
Carrot cake box mix….can yo make cookies out of this? I’m new at this. Thank you!
Tiffany says
Yes, you can make cookies from a carrot cake mix.
Janet says
How do you make waffles or pancakes out of cake mix?
gina marie says
Make cake mix as per directions….. I like confetti cake for the Colors… and Make pancakes or waffles as u normally do…. I make funfetti silver dollars for my 3 yr old …. and strawberry cake mix pancakes for . My 12yr old and her friends
Kimmie says
Hello Iam wanting to know how to make waffles from a cake mix, My kids would love it Iam sure!! Can someone post the recipe PLEASE & Thank You
Anonymous says
Here are several I found: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/cake-mix-waffles/2bbb7bfa-5a9b-4836-b7a9-c2a5ac1aeb66
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/make-waffles-cake-mix-21391.html
http://www.bunsinmyoven.com/2012/04/11/funfetti-cake-waffles/
Kathy says
Having a terrible time getting recipe for “Mimi Pumpkin Pie Bites” all I am getting are two ingredients and partial directions. Pls help.
Tiffany says
Kathy, I’m not sure what recipe you’re talking about. I don’t have a recipe for mini pumpkin pie bites.
Chantal says
Here are some cake mixes I have..Can you kindly help me..think of something to do with either one…that will make cookies?
Devil’s food flavoured cake mix
Spice cake mix
Devil’s food cupcake mix
I also have caramel sauce from a package..and a custard sauce mix*–these are out of the one package–It’s a small box of Creme Caramel
I do NOT have OIL–:(
I do have Crisco though..
I do have EGGS.
I want to make cookies…not cake..Any ideas??
I am not a baker….but I am inspired..:D..But I don’t know what goes good with what..or how to go about this…especially without OIL..
Many thanks for any help..
Tiffany says
There are some double chocolate cake mix cookies on the list that use butter (or margarine). That would work with your Devil’s Food mix.
lois says
I an looking for a recipe called “ugly cake mix cake” can any one help me? thank you
Tiffany says
I haven’t heard of that, but it sounds intriguing.
Kathleen says
Here ya go…http://www.food.com/recipe/ugly-cake-32590
Denise says
Vanilla white cake mix (doesn’t work unless it is vanilla), according to box direction. Spray pan with baking spray and pour cake mix into 9×13 pan. Open lemon pie filling, dab in large spoonfuls over entire top of cake mix. Take a table knife and swirl lemon pudding through cake mix. Do not over mix. Bake according to box instructions or pulling from sides of pan.
Cool cake and frost with mixture of 1/2 can lemon frosting and 1/2 8 Oz tub of Cool Whip together and top the cake.
Sellers says
Are you talking lemon over your dry mix OR over prepared cake mux.
Cody says
I love using cake mix for my fall muffin recipe. Its just three ingredients. 1 box golden cake mix, 1 can pumpkin, 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips mix together and bake they turn out so moist! Its a healthier way to make them bc pumpkin is good for you. They are pretty filling for a good snack I craved them when I was pregnant last fall. So yummy!
Anonymous says
What is size can of pumpkin? Ty
Megan says
We mix it up then put it in the waffle iron for dessert waffles!
Donna says
Cake Mix Truffles… so easy, and OMG, so good!!!!
1 box Cake mix (any flavor), 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 tsp extract (any flavor to go with your cake mix). Mix everything together, shape in balls and refrigerate. While they’re chilling (just a few minutes is fine), melt some almond bark or chocolate for coating. Dip, let coating harden and enjoy!!
Anonymous says
Cornbread: Two boxes jiffy cornbread. One box yellow cake. Mix each as directed. Add half of cake batter to corn batter or to taste. Really moist and slightly sweeter. You will never eat dry cornbread again!
Racheal says
This sounds great! My kids don’t care for cornbread, so in the past I’ve used blueberry pancake mix:) Next time we will definitely try the cake mix!
Anonymous says
I make this corn bread all the time…it’s so moist and tasty…then I add things to it such as green Chiles for a kick
Sherri Thomas says
If your kids don’t like cornbread, try adding a couple tablespoons of sugar to it…then bake…it will then be called Johnny cake…sweeter..sooo yummy….
lee says
looking for recipe lemon bars using cake mix,lemon pie filling and one stick of butter. please help
Tiffany says
I wish I could help. That sounds wonderful, but I don’t have that recipe.
Amy says
I thought I just read it above. Scroll up.
Judy says
Yellow cake mix, 1 can of pumpkin, 1/3 C. oil, 1/3 C. sugar, 1 T. pumpkin pie spice. Bake in a sheet pan at 350 for 20-25 min. Top with cream sheese frosting: 1 – 8oz. crean cheese,8 oz. butter, 5 C. powdered sugar, vamilla and a little milk. I did add walnuts to the pumpkin bars. Delicious!
Connie says
I make about all my christmas cookies with cake mixes. Use cake mix, 1/4 oil, 2 eggs, 2 T water. mix together. Bake 350 for 10 min. Daughter brought this recipe home from school in 1987 we all use it and share it alot. Her favorite is butter pecan cake mix.
Now the good part. I add whatever I want to mixes. Raisins to spice cake. nuts to carrot cake, any type chips ( choc, pumpkin, butterscotch, etc) to white cake mix, m&m to white cake mix.
Anonymous says
You forgot pancakes and waffles
Jennifer Claver says
I’ve made waffles with rainbow sprinkles cake mix before. They were great.
Jennifer Claver says
My kids and I just made chocolate cookies and rainbow sprinkle cookies from cake mixes last weekend.
Ann says
We call this 3-2-1 cake because its 3T of cake mix, 2T of water and 1 min in the microwave. It’s very popular with Weight Watchers I know.