Chances are if you have been couponing for any amount of time, you have a plethora of boxed cake and brownie mixes. Don’t let the ease of opening a boxed dessert mix simply taste like every other one you’ve made. Rather, kick it up a notch with a few simple extra ingredients you already have in your pantry.
General Tips and Tricks:
- If your boxed dessert mix contains cocoa powder or chocolate substitute the water for coffee. The coffee brings out the sweetness of the chocolate.
- Once the batter is poured into the pan(s) tap lightly on a level surface to get the air out.
- Sift the dry ingredients first! This will ensure your batter isn’t clumpy and no air bubbles arise.
Brownie Mixes
Brownie mixes can be pretty bland. There’s typically nothing special in the mix other than flour and cocoa as the main ingredients. To make your brownies super delicious substitute the water for cooled coffee. Once the batter has been mixed well add a cup full of semi sweet chocolate morsels and give one final stir before placing in a greased pan. Consider adding peanut butter once you’ve added into the pan, simply swirl the amount desired in.
For a added touch once your brownies have cooled sprinkle with a little powdered sugar for a extra sweetness.
Cake Mixes
No matter what flavor of cake mix you purchase there’s several ways you can fool your guests into thinking you made your cake from scratch. By knowing these simple tricks your next cake will be gobbled up in no time:
- If using a white, yellow or chocolate cake mix substitute whole milk, coconut milk or buttermilk for the water. If using buttermilk you may need to add a extra splash or two to get the liquid consistency you’re looking for.
- Add 2 TBSP of all purpose flour, 1 egg and 1 TBSP Sugar to any cake mix. Doing so will result in a “heavier” type cake.
- Chocolate cake mixes tastes SO much better when you substitute coffee for the water. {Yes, I know I already said that but I’m trying to instill it in your head!}
- If baking a chocolate or white cake mix throw in a cup of semi sweet chocolate morsels. This will make the batter a little more moist. You can also put mini semi sweet chocolate morsels or chocolate savings on top of the icing for an extra special touch!
- When whipping up a carrot cake mix leave out the shredded carrots that are provided and grate your own.
- If your cake mix calls for butter, melt it first and add when it’s cooled. This will ensure the batter doesn’t become clumpy.
- Allow PURE Vanilla Extract to become your friend when baking. Add a dash of pure vanilla extract into pancake, brownie, cookie and cake mixes.
- To give a white cake mix extra depth, after the cooling process poke holes with a straw into your cake. Prepare a box of your favorite flavored Jell-O using 1 C cold water and 1 C boiling hot water. Pour half the mixture over the cake and let it sit for 4-6 hours.
- When using a chocolate frosting add 1 tsp of butter along with ½ tsp of vanilla extract to loosen up the icing and get a better flavor.
- Add a package of pudding mix right out of the box to make your cake moist.
What are some of your favorite ways to amp up the taste of a boxed dessert mix?
