Although I usually bake from scratch, I’m a firm believer that every baker needs a couple of tricks to tuck in their apron pockets.
One of my absolute favorite chocolate cake recipes comes from {gasp} a boxed cake mix. But it’s not just any boxed mix, it’s an incredibly moist and chocolatey recipe that’s perfect for layered cakes, bundt cakes and of course – cupcakes.
There are many reasons to adore this doctored up cake mix and number one on that list is that it’s super moist. I love using this recipe when I have to make cupcakes a day or so in advance because I know that they’ll still taste perfectly fresh – even after being stored for 24 hours.
The batter is also really thick, so it’s a great consistency for suspending little surprises inside cupcakes. You already know I’m kind of obsessed with nestling candy into my cupcakes, and this ultra thick batter is ideal for that technique.
Another reason that it’s one of my go-to recipes is because it’s pretty much fool-proof. Toss everything into a large mixing bowl, mix until it’s combined and it comes out perfect every single time. This makes it a great recipe for baking newbies and kids alike.
Heath Bar Cupcakes [1]
Oreo Cake [2]
Cadbury Creme Egg Cupcakes [3]
Take 5 Cupcakes [4]
Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes [5]
I’ll be the first to tell you that baking a cake from scratch can be an incredibly fun and cathartic experience. But use the tools and ingredients that give you the results you want. I’ve yet to be able to recreate the perfection of this doctored up box mix on my own (not that I don’t keep trying), and if it means a fabulous cupcake in shorter time, then give yourself a break and go for it.
April 4th, 2012Doctored Up Cake Mix Recipe
Yield: 24 cupcakes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time:
1 (18.25 ounce) package devil’s food cake mix (see note below)
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon instant espresso granules dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water (see note below)
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tin with paper liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, eggs, vanilla and espresso water mixture. Beat for about two minutes on medium speed until well combined.
3. Using a large cookie scoop, distribute the batter between 24 muffin wells; about 3 tablespoons of batter per well.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 18-22 minutes or until the tops of the cakes spring back when lightly touched. Allow cupcakes to cool inside muffin tins for about 10 minutes.
5. Remove cupcakes from muffin tins and allow to fully cool on a wire rack. Once cupcakes are cool, prepare your frosting.
Bundt Cake Directions: Pour the batter into a well-greased, 12-cup bundt cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 50 to 55 minutes, or until top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean. If desired, drizzle the cooled cake with your favorite recipe for chocolate ganache.
For 2 9-inch Cake Layers: Pour batter evenly between 2 greased 9-inch cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean. Frost cooled cake with your favorite buttercream recipe [6].
- My favorite Devil's Food Cake is Betty Crocker - Pudding in the mix.
- If you don't have instant espresso granules, you can sub in 1/2 cup warm coffee.
- The espresso in this recipe really just deepens the chocolate flavor, but if you aren't into the whole coffee thing, just use 1/2 cup warm water.
-Updated 8/23/12- Some box mixes have recently reduced in size to around 15 ounces, so I now use a 3.4 ounce package of instant pudding mix as opposed to the larger option.
My Baking Addiction adapted from All Recipes
URLs in this post:
[1] Heath Bar Cupcakes: http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/heath-bar-cupcakes-recipe/
[2] Oreo Cake: http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/oreo-cake/
[3] Cadbury Creme Egg Cupcakes: http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/cadbury-creme-egg-cupcakes/
[4] Take 5 Cupcakes: http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/take-5-cupcakes/
[5] Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes: http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/peanut-butter-cup-cupcakes/
[6] buttercream recipe: http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/buttercream-frosting-recipe/
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
