26 Easy Desserts You Can Whip Up With Boxed Cake Mix
It's one of best baking hacks there is.
There are certainly times when making a cake from scratch feels special and impressive. But do you know what's equally impressive? Elevating store-bought cake mix and presenting a sweet treat to those you love in a fraction of the time. If you do it right, anyone tasting your cake mix desserts will never think, “Is this from a box?” Nope, they’ll only be focused on how yummy it is. It's the ultimate baking hack that saves time and money, regardless of your baking skills.
You can start small, by just folding chocolate chips or sprinkles into the batter. Or go all out and make a thick chocolate ganache glaze or a decadent homemade frosting. Cake mixes can be used for Bundt cakes, sheet cakes, and layered cakes simply by adjusting the baking time. Or grab some Jell-O and make a poke cake that looks like a tie-dye masterpiece without a ton of effort.
But you'll find so many other easy desserts that start with a box of cake mix, too, including cake pops, cupcakes, and cookies. They not only save time, but they also set you up for success with perfectly pre-measured ingredients. That’s the hard part of baking, after all! So scroll through this list for ideas, head over to your pantry, and see what you've got. Then get baking! You’re one boxed cake mix away from a freshly baked treat in no time.
Cake Mix Cookies
Start with a box of white cake mix, adding butter, eggs, cinnamon, and sprinkles. Then, just scoop, bake, and voilà: You've got a batch of chewy homemade cookies.
Get the Cake Mix Cookies recipe.
Birthday Cake Pie
Is someone’s big day coming up? Celebrate a little differently this year by turning a confetti cake mix into a pie instead! You can make your own dough or use a store-bought crust.
Get the Birthday Cake Pie recipe.
Pig Cake
There are no pigs in this potluck classic! But you will need boxed cake mix, canned Mandarin oranges, instant vanilla pudding, canned pineapple, powdered sugar, and whipped topping. The results are pure nostalgia in every bite.
Boston Cream Pie Cookies
Boston cream pie, but handheld? Yes! Cookies are easier to make, too, because you start with a box of cake mix and use pudding mix for the filling.
Get the Boston Cream Pie Cookies recipe.
Strawberry Poke Cake
Yellow cake mix and strawberry Jell-O are the secrets to a burst of summer flavor with way less effort. Flavored whipped cream is the perfect airy topping.
Get Ree’s Strawberry Poke Cake recipe.
Knock You Naked Brownies
These ultra rich bars have a pecan and chocolate top and bottom crust with a thick layer of caramel in the middle. They might not actually knock you naked, but they will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Get Ree's Knock You Naked Brownies recipe.
Key Lime Pie Cupcakes
Adding bottled juice to a box of white cake mix is the key (or key lime if you will) to the perfect sweet-tart bite. Add it to both the batter and the frosting.
Get Ree's Key Lime Pie Cupcakes recipe.
Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
Think of these as a cross between ooey gooey butter cake and lemon bars. They're creamy and zesty and start with a box of lemon or yellow cake mix.
Get the Lemon Cream Cheese Bars recipe.
Carrot Cake Trifle
Starting with a box of carrot cake mix cuts the prep down significantly. That way, you can send more time layering this beauty with pudding and candied carrots!
Get the Carrot Cake Trifle recipe.
Bridal Shower Cake Pops
What a way to celebrate! Infuse a box of vanilla or white cake mix with sparkling wine for an extra special treat. There's bubbly in the frosting!
Get the Bridal Shower Cake Pops recipe.
Jell-O Cake
A fun way to doctor up a cake mix is by turning it into a poke cake. In this case, a box of raspberry Jell-O gives it not only fruity flavor, but a fun tie-dyed look as well.
Get the Jell-O Cake recipe.
Apple Dump Cake
Oh, the magic of dump cakes! All you need for this one is four ingredients, and you don't even have to mix it. The result is almost like a cobbler or crisp but with way less work.
Get Ree's Apple Dump Cake recipe.
Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
Did you know the original version of this was a happy accident? Well, now you can make it on purpose with box of yellow cake and yes, lots of butter.
Get the Ooey Gooey Butter Cake recipe.
Salted Caramel Cupcakes
There's not one but two hacks in this recipe. You'll need cake mix and a jar of salted caramel sauce. It's amazing what the results will be!
Get Ree's Salted Caramel Cupcakes recipe.
Irish Cream Poke Cake
Here's another cake you can make all year long, though it is perfect for St. Paddy's Day. Start with a box of German chocolate cake mix and doctor it up with pudding and Irish cream.
Get the Irish Cream Poke Cake recipe.
Cherry Dump Cake
Have a scoop of summer with just five minutes of prep time! Cans of cherry pie filling turn yellow cake mix into a sweet dessert that just begs for a scoop or three of ice cream.
Get the Cherry Dump Cake recipe.
Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes
Doctor up devil's food cake with instant chocolate pudding and some brewed coffee for a moist and flavorful base. Finish them with a drizzle of store-bought caramel sauce.
Get the Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes recipe.
Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
Yes, you can make cookies from devil's food cake mix, too! Have fun with sprinkle colors you use. They can be so festive depending on the time of year you make them.
Get Ree's Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies recipe.
Peach Dump Cake
Ree says, "I'd make this dump cake any day of the week (and twice on Sunday)." And because you use canned peaches, you really can make it any time you want!
Get the Peach Dump Cake recipe.
Gingerbread Trifle
When Christmas rolls around, there’s so much to do! Make life a little easier when making an impressive dessert. Gingerbread cake mix helps you save so much prep time.
Get Ree’s Gingerbread Trifle recipe.
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