10+ Yellow Cake Mix Recipes to Brighten Up Your Baking Routine

Yellow cake mix recipes make baking a breeze. You can whip up all sorts of desserts with just a few pantry staples.

Yellow cake mix works for cakes, cookies, coffee cakes, and honestly, whatever your sweet tooth craves. It’s a reliable choice for both new bakers and folks who’ve been at this for years.

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Ingredients

• Yellow cake mix
• Eggs
• Oil or butter
• Water or milk

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, combine yellow cake mix, eggs, oil, and water or milk.
3. Stir until smooth.
4. Pour into a greased pan.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Let cool before serving.

1) Classic Yellow Cake with Vanilla Frosting

Classic yellow cake is soft, moist, and just kind of nostalgic, isn’t it? It comes together quickly with a box mix, making it a go-to for birthdays or whenever you want to celebrate something small.

Vanilla frosting brings a creamy, sweet finish. It’s not too heavy, and you can spread it on without much fuss.

This cake tastes homemade but doesn’t require a ton of effort. Grab a few basic ingredients and you’re set. If you want a full recipe, check out this Yellow Birthday Cake with Vanilla Frosting.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 batch vanilla frosting (store-bought or homemade)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix cake mix, eggs, water, and oil until smooth.
3. Pour batter into a greased 9×13 inch pan.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Let cake cool completely before frosting.
6. Spread vanilla frosting over the cake evenly.

2) Yellow Cake Mix Coffee Cake with Brown Sugar Crumble

Coffee cake with yellow cake mix is as easy as it gets. The brown sugar crumble on top? That’s the best part—crunchy, sweet, and a little bit addictive.

Cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter melt together to form that perfect topping. This cake is a solid choice for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

You can get it in the oven fast, so it’s great for last-minute cravings. No need to overthink it.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• ⅔ cup water
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 ⅓ cups brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix cake mix, eggs, water, and half of the butter until smooth.
3. Pour batter into a greased 9×13-inch pan.
4. Combine brown sugar, remaining butter, and cinnamon for the crumble.
5. Sprinkle crumble evenly over the batter.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let cool before serving.

3) Neiman Marcus Cake with Box Mix

Neiman Marcus Cake is such a crowd-pleaser, and you barely have to try. Start by mixing cake mix with eggs, melted butter, and vanilla for the base.

Then, make a creamy top layer with cream cheese, powdered sugar, and more eggs. Some folks toss in chopped nuts for a little crunch.

Bake it all in a greased 9×13 inch pan at 350°F (175°C). Once it’s cooled, slice it up and enjoy that gooey center.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 4 eggs, divided
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
3. Mix cake mix, 2 eggs, melted butter, and vanilla until stiff. Spread this in the pan.
4. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, 2 eggs, and nuts. Mix well.
5. Spread cream cheese mixture over the cake base.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and set.
7. Let cool before slicing and serving.

4) Pumpkin Dessert Using Yellow Cake Mix

Pumpkin and yellow cake mix together? It just works. This dessert is ridiculously simple and perfect for fall—or, honestly, any time you want something cozy.

The cake mix adds a light texture. Pumpkin keeps everything moist and flavorful.

You can toss in nuts or spices if you’re feeling fancy, but it’s good just as it is. Top it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a little extra comfort.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• Spices like cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix pumpkin and cake mix in a bowl until combined.
3. Stir in walnuts and spices if using.
4. Pour batter into a greased 9×13-inch pan.
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Let cool before serving.

5) Golden Rum Cake from Scratch

Golden rum cake feels a little fancy, but it’s not hard to make. The yellow cake mix and a box of pudding keep it super moist.

Chopped walnuts add a little crunch. After baking, you’ll pour a buttery rum glaze over the warm cake.

That glaze soaks right in and keeps the cake soft for days. Don’t skimp on the rum—use something good!

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 (15.25 oz) package yellow cake mix
• 1 (3.4 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup dark rum
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
• 1 cup sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Mix cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, oil, and half the rum.
3. Fold in walnuts.
4. Pour into a greased tube pan.
5. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. While warm, melt butter and sugar over low heat.
7. Stir in remaining rum to make glaze.
8. Pour glaze evenly over the hot cake.
9. Let cool before removing from pan.

6) Gooey Butter Cookies with Yellow Cake Mix

Gooey butter cookies are dangerously good and only take a handful of ingredients. The inside stays soft and chewy, while the edges get a little crisp.

Cream cheese and butter make the dough rich. Roll the cookies in powdered sugar before baking for that classic look.

They’re perfect for when you want something sweet, fast. If you want the full rundown, you can check out the recipe here.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (115g) butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
3. Add egg and vanilla; mix well.
4. Slowly add cake mix and powdered sugar; blend until dough forms.
5. Scoop dough onto baking sheet.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
7. Let cool and dust with powdered sugar before serving.

7) Extra Moist Yellow Cake with Additional Egg Yolks

Want your yellow cake to be extra moist? Just add a couple of extra egg yolks to the mix.

Egg yolks make the cake richer and even more tender. They also give it a deeper, golden color—honestly, it looks more homemade.

Crack in two or three extra yolks along with the regular eggs. This trick works with any box mix if you want a softer, fluffier cake.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 3 large eggs + 2 extra egg yolks
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, extra yolks, water, and oil.
3. Mix until smooth and well blended.
4. Pour batter into a greased 9×13-inch pan.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Let cool before frosting or serving.

For more details, you can check out David’s Yellow Cake Recipe.

8) Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting

You can whip up a pretty fantastic yellow cake with a boxed mix as your starting point. The result? Soft, moist cake with a golden color that’s just inviting.

Chocolate frosting on top? Oh, that’s the best part. Homemade or store-bought works—no judgment here.

Yellow cake and chocolate frosting together just feel right for birthdays or honestly, any excuse to celebrate. It’s straightforward enough that even beginners can pull it off.

Make it as a sheet cake or go with round layers if you’re feeling fancy. You only need a handful of easy-to-find ingredients and simple steps.

Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• Eggs (as called for on the box)
• Water (as called for on the box)
• Vegetable oil (as called for on the box)
• 1 batch chocolate frosting (homemade or store-bought)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Prepare cake batter according to the box instructions.

3. Pour batter into a greased cake pan.

4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

5. Cool completely before frosting.

6. Spread chocolate frosting evenly over the cake.

7. Serve and enjoy!

9) Yellow Cake Mix Layered with Butter and Vanilla

Here’s a simple yellow cake that’s layered with butter and vanilla. Just grab a yellow cake mix to keep things easy.

Mix in eggs, melted butter, and a splash of vanilla extract. That butter brings richness, and the vanilla? It adds a warm, cozy flavor.

You’ll get a soft, moist cake with hardly any fuss. Once you’ve got your batter, spread it in the pan and bake.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for that golden crust and tender center. This cake stands on its own, but if you want frosting, go for it.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla.

3. Stir until batter is stiff and smooth.

4. Pour batter into a greased 9×13-inch pan.

5. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

6. Let cool before serving.

10) Yellow Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Yellow cake bars are one of those easy desserts you can throw together in a pinch. Start with a box of yellow cake mix for the base—no need to overthink it.

The bars end up soft with a slight chew, which is honestly pretty satisfying. Cream cheese frosting on top brings a sweet, creamy finish.

Mix cream cheese, eggs, butter, and powdered sugar for a smooth, rich topping. Every bite has that classic combo of tangy and sweet.

This recipe is great when you need dessert fast or want something you can share at a party. Not many ingredients, not much time, and you don’t have to be a pro baker to pull it off.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix (dry, not prepared)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
• 2 large eggs (divided)
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix the cake mix, melted butter, and one egg in a bowl.

3. Press that mixture into a greased 9×13 inch pan.

4. In another bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and the remaining egg.

5. Keep mixing until it looks smooth—no lumps, please.

6. Spread the cream cheese mix right over the crust you just made.

7. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

8. You’ll want the edges to look lightly golden before you take it out.

9. Let it cool down before you even think about cutting into bars.