Introduction
There’s nothing like a homemade cake fresh out of the oven, but sometimes when we’re short on time we opt for store-bought cake mix instead. While the convenience is undeniable, the flavor can often fall flat. However, fear not! With a few easy tips, you can turn a lackluster cake mix into a delicious dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.
This article will provide you with six tips for making cake mix taste better, including adding an extra egg, substituting milk for water, incorporating sour cream, adding in a pudding mix, using melted butter instead of oil, and incorporating mix-ins. By following these tips, you can take your cake mix from average to amazing.
Add an Extra Egg
For an extra moist and rich cake, add an extra egg to your cake mix. This will increase the fat content and create a denser texture.
When adding the extra egg, it’s important to make sure you’re not adding too much liquid to the mix. To avoid this, remove 1-2 tablespoons of water or milk from the recipe for each additional egg you add. You can also use a smaller size egg to keep the liquid content consistent.
Swap Out Water for Milk
Instead of using water in your cake mix recipe, swap it out for milk. This will add extra richness and flavor to your cake. Whole milk works best, but you can also use a lower-fat version if you prefer.
When substituting milk for water, use the same amount of milk as you would water. If you want a richer flavor, you can also try using heavy cream or half-and-half instead of milk.
Add in Sour Cream
Sour cream may sound like an unusual addition to cake mix, but it can actually make a big difference in the taste and texture of your cake. The acidity in the sour cream helps to activate the leavening agents in the cake mix, resulting in a lighter and fluffier cake.
To incorporate sour cream, simply add 1/2 cup to 1 cup of sour cream to the cake mix along with the other ingredients. Be sure to mix well to ensure even incorporation.
Incorporate a Pudding Mix
Adding pudding mix to your cake mix can give it extra flavor and moisture. The pudding mix will also act as a stabilizer, preventing the cake from drying out and giving it a longer shelf life.
When adding pudding mix to your cake mix, choose a flavor that complements the cake mix you’re using. For example, if you’re making a chocolate cake, use a chocolate pudding mix. Simply mix the pudding mix with the other dry ingredients before adding the wet ingredients.
Use Melted Butter Instead of Oil
While most cake mixes call for vegetable oil, substituting melted butter can add extra richness and flavor to your cake. Melted butter will also create a denser texture and help the cake hold its shape.
To substitute butter for oil, simply melt the butter and let it cool slightly before adding it to the mix. Use the same amount of melted butter as you would oil.
Incorporate Mix-Ins
Adding mix-ins to your cake mix can take it to the next level. Mix-ins can range from chopped nuts and fruit to chocolate chips and sprinkles. Not only will they add flavor and texture, but they can also make your cake look more visually appealing.
When choosing mix-ins, use ingredients that complement the flavor of the cake mix you’re using. For example, if you’re making a vanilla cake, chopped strawberries would make a great addition. Simply mix the mix-ins into the cake batter before baking.
Conclusion
With these six easy tips, you can take your cake mix from average to amazing. Whether you choose to add an extra egg, substitute milk for water, incorporate sour cream or pudding mix, use melted butter instead of oil, or add mix-ins, you’re sure to end up with a delicious dessert that will impress your friends and family.
So go ahead and experiment with different combinations to find your perfect mix.
