As a former pastry cook, here are 8 of my favorite ways to upgrade a box of cake mix

Try substituting the water your boxed mix calls for with the same amount of milk.

Whole milk will add extra decadence to your cake, and coconut milk can give your dessert a tropical twist. Buttermilk can be great in chocolate cake mixes if you want a truly dense, decadent dessert.

It’s no secret that butter makes everything better. Instead of using the oil the boxed recipe calls for, simply swap it for the same amount of melted butter.

It’s an easy way to create a delectable cake that tastes homemade.

For an extra-moist cake, add one more egg than the boxed recipe calls for.

The fat in the eggs lends richness to the final product, making it a more decadent experience. If you really want to go over the edge, throw in an additional egg yolk, too.

If you’re not a Midwesterner who grew up on Portillo’s chocolate-cake shakes, mayo in a cake might sound gag-inducing — but hear me out.

The eggs and oil in mayonnaise are perfect for amping up the richness in your cakes. All you need to do is substitute the oil for the same amount of mayonnaise, and I promise you’ll be a convert.

I prefer Duke’s mayonnaise, and I suggest skipping olive- or avocado-oil varieties for this application. If you try this tip, you can skip adding an extra egg or yolk to your batter.

Zesting your favorite citrus fruits into your batter will add a subtle edge to your cake.

I love orange or lime zest paired with vanilla or coconut mixes, and lemon zest is also great in yellow or pound cakes.

Don’t let the juice go to waste, either. Freshly squeezed orange juice can replace the water in a recipe. Be stingier if you use lemon or lime juice, though, to avoid a sour situation.

For an extra boost of flavor, add a splash of your favorite extract, whether that’s a classic lemon or something more unique.

Vanilla is always a crowd-pleaser, and it pairs well with most mixes. To create a bakery-style birthday cake, I love adding almond extract to yellow or vanilla cakes.

Confetti cake is a classic for a reason — who doesn’t love a little bit of whimsy with their dessert?

For a cake that will make everyone smile, gently fold rainbow or chocolate sprinkles into the batter. Just make sure to stir them in last so the colors don’t bleed.

I’m a huge advocate of cutting corners — it’s why I love boxed dessert mixes. However, if you’re whipping up a cake for a special occasion, put in a little extra elbow grease by topping it with homemade frosting.

Even if you use only this one piece of advice, you’ll trick people into thinking you went all out on your dessert.

This story was originally published in March 2023 and most recently updated on April 14, 2026.