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Find out why people have called this easy white cake “the best cake they have EVER had”! Be prepared for tons of compliments when you make this! Follow my easy hacks to make a box cake taste homemade and you’ll be shocked how good it is!

This was the best cake I have EVER had. Thanks so much. Now, I am making the chocolate version for my friend.

-Jill
white cake with funfetti sprinkles on white plate
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These are the Best Box Cake Mix Hacks

I’m a fan of box cake mix recipes probably just as much as you are! They are super quick and convenient. 

I wanted to share this recipe because I know many of us don’t have lots of free time to be spending in the kitchen, but when you make something, you want it to taste good, right?

This cake mix recipe is perfect for all of us who like the ease of a box mix, but maybe want to doctor up the cake mix for more of a homemade taste. Plus, I feel that this doctored up version of a white cake comes together just as quick as the box mix because you can still put everything into one bowl and beat it together.

slice of white cake with funfetti sprinkles on white plate with bite removed

I love a good Boxed Cake – Why Make Box Cake Better?

I consider an easy cake to be one that starts with a box mix. Box cake mixes are great and very handy, plus they can be transformed into bakery style cakes with a few extra ingredients. You are essentially doctoring up a cake mix with a few cake mix hacks. 

ingredients to make white cake mix from box mix on marble background with text overlay

No one will know it came from a box with these Boxed Cake Mix Hacks

It’s all about adding ingredients to the cake mix to give the cake better texture & taste. In our case, we’re adding ingredients with moisture.

Ingredients to Make Box Cake Better

  • 1 box of white cake mix
  • sugar: adds sweetness and flavor
  • all purpose flour: flour is necessary to build structure
  • salt: just a pinch to balance the sweetness
  • egg whites: binds the cake together by providing structure – using only egg whites keeps the cake more white in color
  • vanilla extract: adds that classic vanilla flavor to the cake
  • skim milk: adds moisture
  • buttermilk: adds moisture & fat for richness
  • sour cream: adds moisture & fat for richness
box of duncan hines classic white cake mix

Boxed Cake Mix Hax: Doctoring up your box cake

For this recipe you’ll want to use a 15.25 oz box of Duncan Hines white or vanilla cake mix. I know some boxes out there are 18.25 oz, so be sure you’re getting the right size. You’ll use egg whites only to keep the cake looking extra white.

  1. In a large mixing bowl combine the cake mix, sugar, flour, salt, egg whites, milk, buttermilk, and sour cream, beat with an electric mixer until combined, 2-3 minutes.
  2. Spray a 9×13 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 37-43 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before adding frosting.
slice of white cake on white plate with colorful straws in background

What Brand of Cake Mix to Use

I prefer Duncan Hines cake mixes, as do a lot of food bloggers, plus Wilton recommends Duncan Hines brand and Wilton is a cake powerhouse, so I trust their opinion. 

Frosting to Pair with Vanilla Cake

slice of white cake with rainbow sprinkles on white plate

Try our chocolate cake mix recipe from a box or our easy white cupcakes from a box!

 Box Cake Mix Hacks FAQs

What’s the Difference Between White Cake and Vanilla Cake?

White cake is technically made with egg whites only, to keep the cake as white as possible. Bakers may also use clear vanilla extract to keep the cake white.
Vanilla cake is typically made with whole eggs (the white and the yolk) and contain regular vanilla extract. The flavor of white cake and vanilla cake are nearly identical. This recipe for easy white cake could also be called vanilla sheet cake. The are pretty interchangeable. 

How do you make a cake moist out of box mixes?

To make a box cake mix more moist, add buttermilk and sour cream. These ingredients add fat to the cake, making it more moist and richer in flavor!

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How to Make Box Cake Better (White Cake Mix)

By: Beth
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 20 servings
Find out why people have called this easy white cake “the best cake they have EVER had”! Be prepared for tons of compliments when you make this! Follow my easy hacks to make a box cake taste homemade and you’ll be shocked how good it is!

Ingredients 

Cake

  • 1 box white cake mix, 15.25 oz (I prefer Duncan Hines)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 4 larg egg whites
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract, clear or regular
  • 1 cup skim milk
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup sour cream

Vanilla Buttercream

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature, 1 cup
  • 3-4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp milk, if frosting becomes too thick

Instructions 

Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350º F.
  • In a large mixing bowl combine the cake mix, sugar, flour, salt, egg whites, vanilla extract, milk, buttermilk, and sour cream, beat with an electric mixer until combined, 1-2 minutes.
  • Spray a 9×13 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 37-43 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before adding frosting.

Vanilla Buttercream

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the butter and vanilla extract, beat using an electric mixer until fluffy. Begin to add the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, mixing by hand. Continue adding powdered sugar until the frosting no longer looks wet and tastes good to you. Then I use my electric mixer one last time to make sure the powdered sugar is really incorporated and ready to go. If the frosting becomes too thick, add a dash of milk.
  • Spread the frosting on top of the cooled cake, add sprinkles if desired.

Video

Notes

Pair it with chocolate frosting.

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 300mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 390IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Beth

I believe that everyone should have a go-to dessert to bring to parties! With hundreds of recipes, I'll help you find yours!

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135 Comments

  1. It never fails to amaze me how food bloggers always reply back so politely and sincerely, after being asked the dumbest questions, some are downright hysterical that it makes me giggle.    “Can I omit the chili pepper flakes, my family doesn’t like spicy food?” 
    When I read stuff like that, sarcasm immediately takes over and I’m thinking ..
    🙄No, Janet, you don’t get to make choices like that. Go ahead n make it extra spicy 😐
     I love the, “can I omit the salt?”
    people.  
      No Carol, absolutely not. If you do, you’ll change everything and end up with a mystery
    meal😐
    …And this is why I should  never be in charge of Q/A’s section for a food blogger 

  2. I have a question. Can I substitute whole milk rather than skim??
    Thank you. Can’t wait to try this cake!!

  3. 1 star
    I made this cake following the directions on Pinterest and it didn’t even taste like cake.  Big disappointment.  

    1. I baked in a 10×15 pan using 2 box mix doubled everything else baked for 49 min.

  4. My cake sink a little in the middle. What would have caused that. I did use whole milk because that’s all we had. Someone had commented that they had done the same and it worked. Any ideas?