How To Make a Cake Mix Taste Better
So you may be wondering why a baker would know how to make a cake mix taste better. I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Even as an avid baker, I rarely make a cake from scratch! I love bakery-style cake. It has perfectly light and moist cake layers with smooth buttercream frosting. However, making one from scratch can be a very tedious task. Luckily, you can make a cake mix taste better with a few simple tricks.
A Recipe For Sucess.
The first step to a doctored cake mix is buying your favorite cake mix. There are many cake mixes on the market, most of which are allergy-friendly. My favorite brands are King Arthur, Cherrybrook Kitchen and Simple Mills.
It’s Better With Butter.
Substitute the oil with non-dairy melted butter for a richer flavor. Oil is a fat, which makes the cake fluffy and moist. However, the oil is flavorless. That’s why butter is a better option; it gives the cakes a great texture while providing a rich flavor.
Wave Goodbye to Water.
Substitute the water with non-dairy milk. Like oil, water is flavorless. Non-dairy milk will add a subtly sweet, rich flavor. You could also use juice or soda.
An Egg-cellent Texture.
Follow the directions on the box for eggs, but add an extra egg yolk. Eggs contain protein and fat, helping the batter retain moisture. This step will help create a fluffy, moist texture.
Amp It Up With Apple Sauce.
If you have an egg allergy, substitute the eggs with apple sauce. The apple sauce will add a lovely tangy flavor and prevent the cake from drying as it bakes. Don’t have apple sauce on hand? Learn how to make a homemade version here: Simple Vegan Blog.
More Fat = More Flavor
Add ¼ cup of non-dairy sour cream or yogurt. The acidy and fat in these ingredients make the cake extra rich and fluffy.
Bye Bland Cake!
The vanilla bean in cake mixes is often bland as the mix has been sitting on the shelf for a while. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to enhance the vanilla flavor. Or add your favorite flavoring: almond, coffee, rum, or lavender extract. You could also add lemon or lime zest for a light springtime taste.
Homemade Buttercream Is Best.
Buttercream is what my dreams are made of; It’s smooth, creamy, and ridiculously delicious! And although I buy canned frosting occasionally, nothing is better than the homemade version.
Dairy-Free Buttercream
Ingredients:
1 cup dairy-free butter
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon dairy-free milk
1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions:
With an electric beater, whip the dairy-free butter.
Slowly add the powdered sugar. Then, add the dairy-free milk and vanilla extract.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
And just with these few simple tricks, you know how to make a cake mix taste better! If you try these cake box tricks, tag me on Instagram @sarahandspices and hashtag it #sarahandspices, so I can see your delicious re-creations! As always, I love it when you share your reviews in the comments below. Sarah xx
Get Creative!
You have probably heard it multiple times before, but you eat with your eyes. So add natural food dye to the frosting, and throw some sprinkles, fruit, or edible flowers on top of the cake too. Need some inspiration? Here are a few of my favorite cakes I’ve decorated:
