10+ Boxed Cake Mixes Recipes to Make Baking Easy and Fun

Boxed cake mixes make baking so much easier. You just grab a mix, add a few things, and you’re halfway to dessert.

They save you time and take away the stress of measuring out a bunch of ingredients. You can whip up cakes, cupcakes, or even cookies without fuss.

Customizing boxed cake mixes is actually pretty fun. You can toss in extra flavors or toppings and suddenly it feels like you made something completely your own.

Whether you’re baking for a birthday or just want a sweet bite with your coffee, these mixes have your back. With a couple of tweaks, nobody will guess you started with a box.

1) Chocolate Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls from a chocolate cake mix? Yep, you can do that.

This recipe gives classic cinnamon rolls a chocolatey spin, which honestly just makes them better.

The dough comes together fast—just cake mix, eggs, milk, and a few pantry basics. Roll it out, sprinkle on cinnamon and sugar, and bake.

Once they’re warm and fluffy, drizzle on some chocolate frosting or glaze. These rolls are perfect for lazy weekends or sharing with friends.

Ingredients

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Stir together cake mix, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.
3. Add eggs, milk, and melted butter. Mix until dough forms.
4. Roll dough into a rectangle on a floured surface.
5. Sprinkle brown sugar on top and roll up tightly.
6. Slice into rolls and place in a greased baking dish.
7. Bake 20-25 minutes until golden.
8. Let cool a bit, then add frosting if you want.

Try these chocolate cake mix cinnamon rolls for a simple, sweet treat.

Find more details at Averie Cooks Double Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls.

2) Blueberry Lemon Cake

Blueberry Lemon Cake is one of those easy wins. Just grab a boxed lemon cake mix and throw in some blueberries.

Lemon zest or extract will kick up the citrus flavor. Use fresh or frozen berries—whatever’s in your fridge.

A cream cheese or whipped cream topping makes it extra good, but honestly, it’s great even without. The cake stays moist and light, kind of perfect for a picnic or last-minute dinner.

Some folks mix in pudding or blueberry pie filling for more texture. It bakes up fast and tastes like you spent way more time on it.

Ingredients

• 1 box lemon cake mix
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1 tsp lemon zest or lemon extract
• 1/2 cup pudding (optional)
• Cream cheese or whipped cream for topping (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Make cake mix as the box says.
3. Gently fold in lemon zest and blueberries.
4. Pour into a greased pan.
5. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Let cool, then top with cream cheese or whipped cream if you’re feeling it.

3) Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake

Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake is as good as it sounds. Start with a boxed chocolate cake mix and bake it up.

When it’s cool, poke holes all over with the back of a spoon. Pour a creamy peanut butter glaze so it soaks in.

Whipped topping with a little peanut butter makes a dreamy finish. It’s simple but feels special.

This cake works for birthdays or just because you want something sweet.

Ingredients

• 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients on box)
• 1 package instant peanut butter pudding mix
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 tub whipped topping (8 oz)
• Optional: peanut butter chips or chopped peanuts

Cooking Instructions

1. Bake cake as directed at 350°F (175°C).
2. Let cool, then poke holes all over.
3. Mix pudding, milk, and peanut butter until smooth.
4. Pour over cake, letting it fill the holes.
5. Spread whipped topping over everything.
6. Chill for at least 2 hours.

4) Coca-Cola Cake

Coca-Cola Cake is a classic for a reason. Swap the usual liquids for a can of Coke and you get a super moist chocolate cake.

The frosting uses Coca-Cola too, mixed with cocoa and powdered sugar for a sweet, sticky finish. This cake is pure comfort.

You just need a few ingredients and not much time. It’s a Southern favorite for good reason.

Ingredients

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 1 can (12 oz) Coca-Cola
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder (for frosting)
• 6 tablespoons Coca-Cola (for frosting)
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Combine cake mix, Coke, eggs, and oil in a large bowl.
3. Beat on low, then medium for 2 minutes.
4. Pour into a greased 9×13 pan.
5. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. For frosting, mix powdered sugar, cocoa, and Coke until smooth.
7. Pour over warm cake and spread.
8. Sprinkle with pecans if you want.
9. Let cool before serving.

Check out this shortcut Coca-Cola cake recipe for more.

5) Almond Joy Cupcakes

Almond Joy Cupcakes are ridiculously easy and taste just like the candy bar. Start with a chocolate cake mix and add a few extras to make the batter rich.

Bake them up, then top with coconut buttercream. Add an almond and a drizzle of chocolate for the full effect.

They’re a hit at parties or just for a treat at home. Using a cake mix with pudding makes them even softer.

You can find a solid recipe here.

Ingredients

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup canola oil
• 1 (4 oz) box chocolate instant pudding
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Coconut frosting
• Whole almonds
• Chocolate for drizzle

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix cake mix, eggs, oil, pudding, milk, and sour cream until smooth.
3. Pour into lined muffin tins.
4. Bake 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Cool completely.
6. Frost with coconut buttercream.
7. Top with an almond and drizzle chocolate.

6) Pumpkin Layer Cake

Pumpkin Layer Cake starts with a yellow cake mix, but nobody will know. Stir in pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon for cozy fall flavor.

Cream cheese frosting adds tang and makes it feel fancy. Layer it up for a showstopper, or just keep it simple.

It comes together fast and only needs basic ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 large eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup water
• Cream cheese frosting (store-bought or homemade)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix cake mix, pumpkin, spices, eggs, oil, and water until smooth.
3. Divide into two greased 9-inch pans.
4. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Cool completely before frosting.
6. Frost between layers and on top.

7) Cake Mix Cookies

Cake mix cookies are almost too easy. You need just three ingredients, and you’re done.

Pick any cake mix flavor you like. Mix with eggs and oil, and you’ve got dough.

Want to jazz them up? Add chocolate chips or nuts. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.

Let them cool on the pan for a few minutes before moving them to a rack. They’re soft, chewy, and dangerously snackable.

Ingredients

• 1 box cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix cake mix, eggs, and oil in a bowl.
3. Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 10 minutes.
5. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack.

Want more tips? Check out this guide.

8) Key Lime Cakes in a Jar

You can whip up adorable key lime cakes right in jars. Boxed cake mix keeps things fast and simple.

That key lime flavor? It’s fresh and citrusy—honestly, just right for summer or any celebration. Baking in jars makes serving and storing a breeze.

They look cute, too, which always helps if you’ve got guests over. Kids, adults—pretty much everyone goes for these little cakes.

The texture turns out soft and moist, thanks to combining cake mix with lime gelatin or pudding. That extra bit of zing and moisture makes a big difference.

Top them with frosting or just a dollop of whipped cream. Either works.

Ingredients

• 1 box lemon or yellow cake mix
• 1 packet lime gelatin or instant lime pudding
• 4 large eggs
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup warm water
• 1 cup sour cream
• Lime juice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix cake mix and lime gelatin or pudding.
3. Add eggs, oil, warm water, sour cream, and lime juice. Stir until combined and smooth.
4. Pour batter into greased jars, filling each about 2/3 full.
5. Place jars on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes.
6. Let cool before adding frosting or whipped cream.

You can check out the full recipe here: Key Lime Cakes in a Jar.

9) Chocolate Bundt Cake

Making a Chocolate Bundt Cake is surprisingly easy with a boxed mix. Sour cream and instant pudding add a rich, moist texture that’s hard to beat.

Toss in some chocolate chips for extra gooey goodness. Just mix everything in one bowl—no need to overthink it.

Pour the batter into a greased Bundt pan and bake. It feels homemade, but you barely have to try.

Honestly, this cake is great for birthdays, holidays, or just a random Tuesday with coffee.

Ingredients

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 1 package instant chocolate pudding mix (dry)
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup water or coffee
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and flour a Bundt pan.
3. In a large bowl, beat eggs, sour cream, oil, and water or coffee.
4. Add cake mix and pudding mix. Mix until smooth.
5. Stir in chocolate chips.
6. Pour batter into the pan evenly.
7. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes before removing from the pan.

10) Candy Cane Cake

You can turn a boxed white cake mix into a festive candy cane cake in no time. Add red food coloring to the batter for a fun swirl.

It’s ideal for the holidays or whenever you want a peppermint pick-me-up. The frosting can be plain or have a splash of peppermint extract if you’re into that.

Crushed candy canes on top give it a nice crunch and look pretty darn cute. It’s an easy upgrade for a basic cake.

Ingredients

• 1 box white cake mix
• Water, vegetable oil, and egg whites (as called for on the box)
• 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
• Peppermint extract (optional)
• Frosting of your choice
• Crushed candy canes

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Grab your cake mix and combine it with water, oil, and egg whites.

3. Toss in some red food coloring. Stir until the color looks even—don’t overthink it.

4. Pour that batter into a greased pan.

5. Bake for about 25–30 minutes. Check with a toothpick; if it comes out clean, you’re good.

6. Let the cake cool off before you go wild with frosting.

7. If you’re into peppermint, mix a little extract into your frosting. Totally up to you.

8. Slather frosting on the cooled cake.

9. Top it all off with crushed candy canes.

Curious for more? Check out the candy cane cake recipe from Betty Crocker.