10+ Cake Mix Recipes for Easy and Delicious Desserts

Cake mix recipes are honestly a lifesaver when you want homemade treats but don’t want to start from scratch. Grab a box, toss in a few extras, and you can whip up all sorts of desserts in no time.

You can use a basic cake mix as your foundation and then get creative. Add-ins like fruit, chocolate, or spices totally change things up.

These recipes save time but still taste great—nobody’s complaining about shortcuts if the results are delicious.

Whether you’re baking for a birthday or just want something sweet after dinner, cake mix recipes are super handy. No need for fancy skills here.

Mix, bake, enjoy. And if you want to put your own spin on things, you totally can.

Ingredients

• Boxed cake mix
• Eggs
• Oil or butter
• Water or milk
• Optional add-ins like vanilla, cocoa powder, or fruit

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to the temperature listed on the cake mix box (usually around 350°F/175°C).
2. In a bowl, combine the cake mix with eggs, oil or butter, and water or milk as per the box instructions.
3. Mix until smooth, then add any optional ingredients you like.
4. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan.
5. Bake for the time on the box, usually 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Let cool before serving.

1) Classic Yellow Cake Mix Cupcakes

Sometimes you just want a classic cupcake, right? Grab a yellow cake mix and you’re halfway there.

Mix it up with eggs, butter, and water. The batter turns out rich, and the cupcakes bake up soft and fluffy.

Bake them at 350°F (175°C) and you’ll get even, golden cupcakes every time. Top with your favorite frosting or go wild with sprinkles.

These are a go-to for birthdays, parties, or just because you feel like it. For a twist, toss in some chocolate chips or colorful sprinkles before baking.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
• 1 cup water

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
3. In a large bowl, mix cake mix, eggs, melted butter, and water until smooth.
4. Fill cupcake liners about 2/3 full with batter.
5. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Let cool before frosting.

You can find more ideas for yellow cake mix cupcakes here.

2) Cinnamon Roll Cake Mix Swirl

Craving cinnamon rolls but don’t want to deal with dough? Make a cinnamon roll cake with boxed cake mix.

Mix up your batter, then swirl in cinnamon sugar for that classic flavor. It’s honestly hard to mess up.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes. Before you pop it in, use a knife to create those pretty swirls.

Drizzle a sweet glaze over the top once it cools. It’s a shortcut, but nobody will care.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow or white cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cinnamon sugar (mix cinnamon and sugar)
• 2 cups powdered sugar (for glaze)
• 3 tablespoons butter (melted, for glaze)
• 1/4 cup milk (for glaze)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix cake mix, eggs, oil, vanilla, and sour cream until smooth.
3. Pour half the batter into a greased pan.
4. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the batter.
5. Pour the rest of the batter on top, then swirl with a knife.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. To make the glaze, heat milk and butter, then mix in powdered sugar and vanilla.
8. Drizzle glaze over the cooled cake before serving.

3) Peanut Butter Mallow Bars

If you like peanut butter and marshmallows, these bars are a must-try. Mix yellow cake mix with butter, an egg, and marshmallows for a chewy, gooey bar.

Bake the base first, then cover with marshmallows and bake again. The marshmallows get all melty and gooey on top.

You only need a handful of ingredients. Plus, it all happens in one pan, so cleanup’s a breeze.

Ingredients

• 1 package yellow cake mix
• 1/3 cup butter, melted or softened
• 1 large egg
• 3 to 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• Optional: 1/3 cup milk for extra moisture

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix cake mix, butter, egg, and milk (if using) until smooth.
3. Press mixture into a greased 9×13-inch pan.
4. Bake for 15 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and spread marshmallows over the top.
6. Bake for another 5-7 minutes until marshmallows are golden.
7. Cool before cutting into bars.

Learn more about similar recipes at Peanut Mallow Bars by The Mom Maven.

4) Caramel Brownies with Cake Mix

Caramel brownies with cake mix? Yes, please. Start with a chocolate cake mix, then add a layer of gooey caramel in the middle.

Melt caramel candies with evaporated milk for a smooth sauce. Pour half the brownie batter in the pan, bake it a bit, then add your caramel.

Top with the rest of the batter and bake again. The result is a soft, chewy brownie with a sweet caramel surprise inside.

They’re good warm or cold, honestly. Super quick, and you barely have to measure anything.

Ingredients

• 1 box German chocolate cake mix
• 1 cup wrapped caramels
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix cake mix, eggs, and oil until smooth.
3. Spread half the batter in a greased pan.
4. Bake 12 minutes, then remove from oven.
5. Melt caramels with evaporated milk; spread over baked batter.
6. Add remaining batter on top.
7. Bake 25-30 minutes until done.
8. Cool before cutting and serving.

For more details, see this cake mix caramel brownies recipe.

5) Quick Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Lemon poppy seed bread is one of those things that just feels fresh. Use a cake mix and lemon pudding for a bright, citrusy flavor.

Mix everything together—cake mix, pudding, eggs, oil, water, and poppy seeds. Bake until golden and your kitchen smells amazing.

Let it cool, then slice it up. It’s great with a little butter or jam, or just on its own with coffee.

Ingredients:

• 1 package lemon cake mix
• 1 package instant lemon pudding mix
• 4 eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup poppy seeds

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix cake mix, lemon pudding, eggs, oil, water, and poppy seeds.
3. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan.
4. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Let cool before slicing.

6) Jelly Doughnut Cake Mix Cupcakes

Jelly doughnut cupcakes are like a mashup of cupcakes and classic jelly doughnuts. Super easy with a cake mix.

Bake the cupcakes, then fill them with your favorite jelly. Brush with melted butter and roll in powdered sugar for that doughnut vibe.

If you want, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a cozy touch. Use a piping bag or just a spoon to add the jelly.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• Ingredients listed on the cake mix box (usually eggs, oil, water)
• 1 cup fruit jelly (strawberry or your favorite)
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• Powdered sugar for coating
• Optional: ½ teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare cake mix according to box directions, adding cinnamon or nutmeg if you want.
3. Fill cupcake liners ⅔ full with batter and bake for 18-22 minutes.
4. Cool completely.
5. Using a small knife, cut a hole in the center of each cupcake.
6. Fill holes with jelly using a piping bag or spoon.
7. Brush cupcakes with melted butter.
8. Roll cupcakes in powdered sugar until coated.
9. Serve and enjoy!

For more details, check out this Jelly Doughnut Cupcakes recipe.

7) Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies

Sometimes you just want cookies, fast. Cake mix cookies are the answer.

Mix yellow cake mix with eggs and oil for a soft dough, then add chocolate chips. Scoop, bake, done.

You can use regular or mini chips if you’re feeling fancy. The cookies turn out soft and chewy, and they’re honestly hard to resist.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix (about 15 oz)
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 to 1.5 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix cake mix, eggs, and oil in a bowl until combined.
3. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a greased baking sheet.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
6. Let cool before eating.

8) Moist Coffee Cake with Streusel

This coffee cake comes out so moist and tender, it’s honestly hard not to eat the whole thing. The cake mix keeps things simple, and that cinnamon streusel? Sweet, crunchy, and such a good match for the soft cake.

The streusel has brown sugar, cinnamon, and some crumbs for that extra texture. Once it bakes, you get this golden, crumbly layer that sits perfectly on top.

You’ll only need basic ingredients, and the whole thing feels homemade—without spending your whole morning in the kitchen. Just mix, layer on the streusel, and bake until it’s golden.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow or butter cake mix
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (optional for streusel)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix cake mix, sour cream, eggs, and oil until smooth.
3. Pour half the batter into a greased pan.
4. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and crumbs for the streusel.
5. Sprinkle the streusel over the batter.
6. Pour the rest of the batter on top.
7. If you want, add extra streusel on top.
8. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let it cool before slicing.

9) Banana Bread Using Cake Mix

Banana bread with cake mix? It’s honestly so easy, I almost feel like I’m cheating. All you need are ripe bananas, eggs, and a box of cake mix—no need to fuss with lots of measuring.

The bananas keep the bread nice and moist, and the flavor is spot on. Toss in nuts or chocolate chips if you’re feeling it.

If you’re new to baking or just want something quick, this recipe gets the job done. It’s a lifesaver when you need dessert in a hurry.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 3-5 mashed ripe bananas
• 2-3 eggs
• 1/3 cup oil (optional)
• 1 cup chopped nuts or chocolate chips (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mash the bananas in a big bowl.
3. Add eggs and oil, then mix it up.
4. Stir in the cake mix until everything’s combined.
5. Fold in nuts or chocolate chips if you want.
6. Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan.
7. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

10) Zucchini Bread from Cake Mix

Zucchini bread with cake mix? Honestly, it’s one of those sneaky shortcuts that just works.

You toss cake mix together with shredded zucchini, eggs, oil, and a splash of milk or water. The zucchini keeps the bread soft, and hey, it sneaks in a vegetable.

Grab whatever cake mix you like—regular or chocolate both work. Sometimes I add a dash of cinnamon or a little vanilla because, why not?

Bake it at 350°F (175°C) for about 50-60 minutes. That usually does the trick.

This one’s great for days when you just want to keep things simple, no fussing with a dozen ingredients.

You probably already have most of what you need.

Ingredients:

• 1 box cake mix (spice, chocolate, or yellow)
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1/4 cup milk or water
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Spray two 8×4-inch loaf pans with cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, eggs, oil, milk, and cinnamon or vanilla if you’re using them.
4. Fold in the shredded zucchini.
5. Pour the batter evenly into the pans.
6. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let it cool before slicing.

If you want more details, check out Betty Crocker’s Easy Cake Mix Zucchini Bread.