28 Hacks That Will Make A Cake Mix Amazing

While baking from scratch brings an amazing sense of accomplishment, some days there is just not time for that. Here to save the day is a list of 29 cake mix hacks—recipes that use a boxed cake mix as the foundation, but take it to a whole new level. Which recipes have you tried? With donuts to waffles to cake rolls, cookies, cupcakes, and fudge, we are thinking a cake mix hack, “taste-testing” party is in order…stat!

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See Also:

• Bake up something sweet with these 25 Awesome Ways to Make Fudge
• You’ll want to try these cake batter cookies 

1. Peppermint Patty Stuffed Chocolate Cookies

Unlike fancy schmancy cookies, these peppermint patty cookies have to be the easiest cookies ever. Can you guess what the cookies have in them? Cake mix! These peppermint patty cookies really do stay soft for days and you can even toss a batch in the freezer to pull out when you are craving a sweet treat. They are full of minty-rich chocolate flavor, melt in your mouth, and make the most delectable little treats.

2. Mocha Poke Cake

This Mocha Poke Cake is rich, moist, and topped with the most amazing whipped coffee frosting. Poke cakes are the easiest way to doctor up a plan cake mix, and this Mocha Poke Cake does not disappoint (try this recipe for Turtle poke cake, too). Bake up a chocolate cake mix in a 9×13 dish, poke some holes in it when it comes out of the oven, pour rich hot fudge right over top, and finish it off with a luscious layer of whipped frosting. Top it off with some mocha drizzle and you have the most delicious dessert.

3. Caramel Apple Butter Cupcakes

Caramel Apple Butter Cupcakes make the perfect treat for fall, Halloween, and even Thanksgiving. They are super easy to make thanks to delicious store-bought apple butter and basic cake mix. The flavorful cupcakes get topped with caramel apple cream cheese frosting, chopped nuts, and a drizzle of sweet caramel sauce. If this recipe doesn’t inspire you to do some serious fall baking, we don’t know what will.

4. Salted Caramel S’mores Cake

We are pretty sure Salted Caramel S’mores Cake is what unicorns eat on their birthdays because it is absolutely magical. This is the stuff of fairy tales people. A layer of buttery crushed graham crackers gets topped with moist chocolate cake from a mix, drizzled caramel sauce, smashed pretzel sticks, and a huge heap of toasted marshmallows. Serve warm and enjoy!

5. Easy Lemon Cookies

All of your family and friends are sure to fall head over heels in love with these extra lemony cookies! They are super soft and chewy with the perfect splash of fresh lemon flavor. Not to mention they are super simple to make with only a few key ingredients you probably have on hand! They have a light and refreshing taste a little different from anything else you may be baking. Cookies that are perfect for serving all year round.

6. Sock It To Me Cake

You might remember this classic Duncan Hines back-of-the-box recipe. It’s an easy go-to recipe for a breakfast coffee cake, brunch item, or even dessert. As with any cake mix plus the sour cream recipe, the results are always amazing. You can use any type of glaze over top or a simple frosting. We love a simple powdered sugar glaze on just about anything!

7. Red Velvet Rice Krispie Treats

Red Velvet Rice Krispie treats are unbelievably easy, but that’s not even what to love most about them. The best part is the light cocoa flavor thanks to the perfect combination of Cocoa Rice Krispies and a simple red velvet cake mix. Cut them into squares for a delicious everyday treat, or use a cookie cutter to make sweet little hearts for Valentine’s Day. A little drizzle of white chocolate over top completes the recipe.

8. Chocolate Caramel Pecan Bars

Looking for an easy yet amazing dessert that you can whip up for nearly any occasion? Look no further! These Chocolate Caramel Pecan Bars are loaded with chopped pecans, swirls of silky caramel sauce and creamy peanut butter, and dotted with chocolate chips. They are sure to be a hit with family and friends at birthday parties, holiday celebrations, backyard BBQs, and more. Plus, they are super easy to pull together with just a few ingredients.

9. Easy Banana Cake

Banana cake has always been one of my favorite homemade treats, but this banana cake made using a boxed cake mix is faster and still uber delicious. Add some tasty spices and leftover ripe bananas to a boring old white cake mix, then top the baked cake with some banana-flavored whipped cream frosting for the ultimate treat. One bite of this cake and you will be in heaven.

10. Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake

Love a delicious Bundt cake? We sure do, and we think you are going to fall in love with this Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake. It is the perfect family-friendly recipe for an after-dinner treat or special dessert for bridal showers and baby showers. It looks so pretty on the table, especially with a light dusting of powdered sugar. Make sure to follow this blogger’s nine hacks for getting the cake out of the pan perfectly every time!

11. Three Ingredient Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Pancakes

Making a delicious breakfast in the morning doesn’t have to be a hassle. This three-ingredient pancake makes cooking breakfast a task you’ll love to take on. Using a pre-made box of mix and 2 other pantry staples, you’ll serve up a new family favorite.

12. Cake Mix Fudge

We have a love-hate relationship with fudge because it is so darn decadent but can be a total pain to make. Make your life a lot easier with this delicious and super easy recipe for Valentine’s Day Fudge that doesn’t require a candy thermometer! This white chocolate fudge is sweet and decadent and made with a boxed cake mix. Just one piece of this smooth and creamy fudge is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

13. Peanut Butter Bomb Cake

If you have a peanut butter lover in your life, you need to make this recipe for Peanut Butter Bomb Cake. Classic yellow cake mix is loaded with creamy peanut butter and then topped with the most delicious chocolate peanut butter frosting and crushed-up Nutter Butter cookies. It is a peanut butter lover’s dream come true! This sweet and salty dessert is made extra moist and delicious with peanut butter.

14. Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls

Use this brilliant cake mix shortcut to whip up the easiest cinnamon rolls you will ever make. Classic yellow cake mix is transformed into delicious rolls of cinnamon heaven topped with rich and creamy cream cheese frosting. Breakfast just got a whole lot easier! These easy cinnamon rolls are the perfect addition to any brunch or special family breakfast.

15. Cake Mix Cookie Bars

If you have never been introduced to using cake mixes to bake cookies, prepare to have your mind blown. The recipe for these Cake Mix Cookie Bars is dead simple and you are guaranteed to end up with soft, golden, and ooey gooey treats. Cake mix cookie bars are chock full of chocolate chips and M&M’s, but you could mix in any of your favorite candies!

16. No-Bake Funfetti Cheesecake Cups

Let’s talk about these No Bake Funfetti Cheesecake Cups. They were originally made as a big and delicious pie, but this blogger moved all of the ingredients into adorable little mason jars for the perfect personal-sized treat. Smooth and silky cheesecake made with colorful sprinkles and a basic cake mix is spread on top of a birthday cake Oreo crust and topped with a swirl of whipped cream. They make a cute birthday treat or just dessert.

17. Love Is All Around Cake Roll

We have been seeing these impressive and adorable patterned cake rolls all over Pinterest lately, so we can’t wait to try out this way easier version. The cake roll is expertly made from a cake mix then dotted with milk chocolate hearts and filled with the most delicious, cloud-like whipped cream cheese frosting. If the hearts on the outside weren’t enough, we are stuffing a bigger one made from even more cake in the center!

18. French Vanilla Cream Bars

These French Vanilla Cream Bars are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The whole family is sure to enjoy them, and come back begging you for seconds! The crust is made with a French vanilla cake mix that tastes more like a cookie than cake. The cake is filled with a creamy, sweet custard and then topped with more French vanilla cookie bits.

19. Pumpkin Magic Cake

Have you ever heard of magic cake? In this case, it is a doctored-up cake mix recipe that does not disappoint. Classic yellow cake mix batter is topped with a perfectly spiced layer of pumpkin pie filling, then tossed in the oven for an hour. As the cake bakes, the pumpkin batter bakes up denser and sinks to the bottom leaving the fluffy cake nestled on top! French vanilla whipped cream frosting with a hint of pumpkin spice makes the perfect topping.

20. Chocolate Cake Batter Ice Cream

If you are in the mood for a sweet and creamy ice cream treat, then this Chocolate Cake Batter Ice Cream with Sprinkles is just for you. It will transport you back to your childhood days licking the cake batter spoon. The creamy and rich chocolate ice cream is made with cake batter right inside, and colorful sprinkles add the perfect splash of fun color. Kids and adults alike love this fun and festive summer treat!

21. Red Velvet Waffles

Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas morning, and more. These decadent Red Velvet Waffles with cream cheese icing drizzle are the perfect recipe for special days all year round. The best part is that these waffles look super impressive, so your guests will never know just how easy they are to make! The red velvet cake mix is doctored up to become a delicious waffle batter. Once cooked, drizzle some icing and sprinkle some fresh berries overtop.

22. Pistachio Pudding Cookies

Pistachio Pudding Cookies make a sweet green treat with a uniquely delicious flavor combination. An easy recipe to make using a boxed cake mix, the white chocolate and pistachios go so perfectly together that these cookies disappear almost as quickly as you can make them. They are also the perfect go-to recipe for potlucks and holiday-time cookie exchanges.

23. Key Lime Cheesecake Cookie Cups

Key Lime Pie Cheesecake Cookies are kind of amazing. It is a key lime-flavored cookie cup dotted with white chocolate chips and filled with a silky cream cheese frosting. Adding dry cake mix to the cookie cup batter results in chewy, soft, and buttery cookies every single time. Plus, they are topped with a sprinkle of macadamia nuts and toasted coconut!

24. Cake Batter Cookies 

Always have cake mixes on hand for good cookies in a pinch. Using the cake batter as the cookie mix really takes all the hard work out of baking cookies. These cake batter cookies are easy to make and extremely versatile. Keep them plain or switch out cake mix flavors and your favorite toppings! One bite and you will be hooked.

25. Cake Mix Donuts 

Baked donuts are made the quick and easy way with a pre-made boxed cake mix topped with a sweet, sugary glaze and colorful sprinkles! What better way to use cake mix than to make some cake donuts for breakfast? No one is going to say no to that. These are perfect for a special breakfast or even as an awesome birthday cake alternative for busy parties.

26. Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

These Snickerdoodle Cupcakes taste just like a freshly baked snickerdoodle cupcake fresh from your mom’s oven. If the taste of the snickerdoodle cake isn’t enough for you, these cupcakes are perfectly topped with a delicious cinnamon buttercream frosting to round out the cinnamon flavor! They are super easy to make with a cake mix base and a handful of other ingredients. Snickerdoodle cupcakes are the perfect way to celebrate the big and small things in life.

27. Lemon Blackberry Cake Cookies

There are a few flavor combinations that are more delicious than lemon and berry! Fresh berries and tart lemon pair perfectly with almost any dessert. These lemon blackberry cookies are made with lemon cake mix and a splash of lemon extract, then they are topped with a whole, fresh blackberry. The cake mix keeps the cookies extra soft and a few drops of lemon extract offer just the right amount of lemon flavor.

28. Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars

Ahh, what a classic! Peanut butter and jelly has been a favorite flavor combination forever, and everyone knows why! Celebrate National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day with these easy yet tasty peanut butter and jelly bars. A soft and chewy peanut butter cake mix cookie crust is topped with a gooey layer of grape jelly and topped with cookie crust crumbles and peanut butter chips. We love all the different textures!

Check out more great dessert ideas everyone will love.

• Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Cookies
• 13 Awesome Cheesecake Recipes

• Twix Cookies
• No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Bars

Plus, don’t miss 29 Cake Batter Cookie Recipes