Ready mixes and box cakes are an easy solution for when you’re in a rush. It’s easy to make a cake in minutes, and the truth is, they’re not that bad. Box cakes are not great either, but that’s an easy fix. What would you think if we told you could make any box cake become a magnificent cake with just a few changes?
We at Choyde Kreyol are firm believers that everyone can learn how to bake, you too! And with practice, you can make fantastic baking treats for your loved ones.
Our joy for baking led us to become makers of excellent French Caribbean pastries, and we want to share our passion for baking with you. Let’s start with something fun and easy; here are a few ways to make box cake better.
1. Add an egg
When in doubt, add another egg. That’s what experienced bakers always say, and it’s particularly true with improving the texture of a box cake. Eggs add a tender texture to the cake and a much-needed richness that will truly take it to a new level of enjoyment.
2. If Water is called for, Use Milk
Never add water to a cake, especially if it comes from a box. Water will just dilute the flavors and give the cake a dry texture once it evaporates in the oven.
A clever alternative is substituting water with plain milk in equal amounts. This is perhaps the easiest way of improving the flavor and texture of a box cake, but one of the most effective.
3. Never Use Oil, Use Butter Instead
Many ready mixed boxed cakes call for some oil in their recipe. It’s customary, but a grave mistake. Oil makes cakes taste, well, oily, and that’s not a pleasant mouthfeel.
Whenever the recipe calls for oil, use unsalted butter instead in equal amounts. You’ll end up with a fluffy cake with gorgeous aromas and a buttery flavor hard to forget.
4. Some Creaminess Won’t Hurt
The most common complaint when it comes to box cakes is that they’re dry, and they are. Luckily, this is easily fixed by adding 1/4 cup of sour cream, heavy cream, or even full-fat yogurt to your batter. Dairy will add an unctuous creaminess and moisture to the cake without changing its flavor.
You’ll be surprised to see how a small amount of your favorite dairy will change your cake for good.
5. Go Nuts with Nuts
Nuts add flavor, aromas, and texture to cakes. And there are many nuts available out there. Hazelnuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios, or walnuts, they’re all great options.
Remember to crush those nuts well and fold them into the batter from the start. You’ll add a lovely crunch to each mouthful, and this works with vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet cakes — everything tastes better with some nuts.
6. Poke and Soak
Here’s a pretty neat trick to improve your box cake. Bake your boxed cake and let it sit for a while. Once it’s manageable, poke it with a toothpick or a knife to make way to the next step of the trick.
Pour some sweet condensed milk or a few ounces of simple syrup to add some moisture and sweetness to your cake. Make sure the whole cake is nicely soaked; that’s the secret.
7. Real Chocolate Trumps Ready Mix
Chocolate box cakes usually come with some sort of chocolate covering or frosting. Although the cake is not all that bad, the frosting usually gives away the cake’s box origins.
Instead of using the chocolate that comes in the box, make a chocolate ganache yourself. Get yourself a fancy baker’s chocolate, melt it on a bain-marie and mix it with a dollop of cream. Now you have a proper frosting for your cake, and this is bakery quality, absolutely delicious.
8. Go For Unusual Toppings
Your cake’s flavor is essential but looks matter too. Some creative and fun toppings can make any cake the center of attention and a conversation starter.
Think of m&m’s, grated coconut, mini snicker bars, crushed Oreo cookies, pretzels, or even some fancy candied fruit. The sky’s the limit! Let your creativity flow and top your cake with anything you can imagine — the bolder and more colorful, the better.
Get your kids to help out; the small ones might have some splendid decoration ideas.
9. Booze it up!
Bake your cake and let it cool. Before you add any frosting or decoration, use the ‘poke and soak’ technique explained above and add some liquor to your cake. Just enough to add some grown-up feel to it.
Rum and brandy are fantastic with vanilla and yellow box cakes, and bourbon will beautifully liven a chocolate cake. Please don’t overdo it. Liquors and spirits are fun, but they’re bitter as well, so add an ounce or too just to aromatize your cake.
10. The Citrus Hack
If you don’t want to do any of the above and keep your box cake nice and simple, but still incredibly tasty, remember the citrus hack.
Get yourself limes, lemons, grapefruits, oranges, or tangerines. The riper, the better. We’re not using the actual fruit, but its zest. Grate the citrus fruit and add the fresh, aromatic zest to your cake batter. Use some to top your cake too. You’ll end up with a refreshing and tropical cake that no one will believe came from a box.
What Are Your Favorite Ways of Making Box Cake Better?
We’re sure by now you’ve got a pretty good idea of how to improve the bland box cake ready mix. Now it’s time for you to experiment on your own and make your own improvements.
Baking is a creative endeavor, and with significant risks come great rewards. There’s lots of room for creativity in baking, and even a boxed cake can become a wonderful cake worthy of the most memorable occasions, birthdays, and get-togethers.
Share our tips with your baking buddies and share your own with us; let’s make our baking community grow!