Discover the best yellow cake mix recipes you can easily make at home, from whoopie pies to cobbler to cookie bars! Look for our top 5 favorites to save you some time, and some important things to remember before opening the box.
Yellow cake mix is a versatile and convenient ingredient that has been cherished for generations.
Its appeal lies in its ability to effortlessly create classic, crowd-pleasing treats. One of the standout advantages of using a yellow cake mix is its simplicity. This pre-packaged box mix contains all the necessary dry ingredients, including flour, sugar, and leavening agents.
With everything pre-measured, you can skip the tedious task of measuring each ingredient separately. This saves you valuable time and reduces the likelihood of making mistakes, ensuring consistently delicious results.
While the primary purpose of a yellow cake mix is to create homemade yellow cakes, its potential goes far beyond that. With a little creativity, you can transform this boxed mix into a wide array of delectable sweets, like cookies, bars, or even cake pops.
Things to Consider Before Using Yellow Cake Mix
But before you use that box of yellow cake mix for your recipes, here are some important things to consider:
- Quality of the cake mix: Different brands offer varying quality of cake mixes. We use a high-quality French Vanilla Duncan Hines Signature for our Italian Hangover Cake.
- Expiration date. Always check the expiration date on the cake mix box. Using an expired mix can result in a cake that doesn’t rise properly or has an off taste.
- Vibrant color. Check the color of the cake mix. A good yellow cake mix should have a vibrant and consistent yellow color.
- Packaging integrity. Ensure that the box of yellow cake mix is sealed and undamaged. A damaged package may indicate that the mix has been exposed to moisture, which can affect its quality.
- Fresh aroma. Open the box and take a sniff. A good yellow cake mix should have a pleasant and fresh vanilla or buttery aroma.
- Does cake mix go bad? Find out more in our in-depth article.
Top 5 Recipe Picks
Pressed for time and just want an idea or two? Here are our top 5 favorites from the epic list below:
- The pineapple slices and caramelized sugar make this #11 Pineapple Upside Down Cake a work of art.
- #14 Banana Pudding Cake is versatile and can be served for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
- If you’re into peaches, opt for #24 Peach Cobbler & #25 Peach Crumb Cake.
- Craving a quick treat or special dessert? Try #21 Whoopie Pies!
- Don’t miss the juicy blueberries and buttery crumb topping of #28 Blueberry Dump Cake.
And speaking of decadent treats, we’ve compiled here a list of irresistible yellow cake mix recipes!
From moist pineapple upside-down cakes to fluffy banana muffins, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Best Yellow Cake Mix Recipes
This dessert is a great choice for Thanksgiving and when you have leftover pumpkin pie filling.
The combination of cake, pumpkin puree, and buttery cinnamon crumble makes each bite extra rich! Make this along with your traditional pumpkin pie to give your family two fabulous pumpkin-flavored desserts for Thanksgiving.
2. Carrot Cake
Rich, moist, and crumbly best describe this cake that combines yellow cake mix, carrots, and pecans. This recipe, however, isn’t your traditional Carrot Cake since it has some pineapple added to it.
You can also make our homemade cream cheese frosting for this recipe.
Don’t know what to do with those blackberries you bought at your local farmer’s market? This recipe for Blackberry Cake, which uses boxed yellow cake mix, is something you can try. Serve with fresh berries on the side and a dollop of whipped cream for added creaminess.
Not sure what to bring to your next book club meeting? Here’s a great recipe that’s sure to be a hit with your fellow book lovers!
If you don’t have bourbon, rum will work just as well in the batter and in the glaze.
Another Bundt cake recipe that can be put together with the help of yellow cake mix is this sweet and tangy one! Incorporating lemon pudding mix into the batter makes this treat extra moist and super lemony.
If you’re serving this for a special occasion, candied lemon slices on top will make it look extra special!
You’ve obviously heard of chocolate chip cookies, but a Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake? If you love chocolate, this is one cake you should try!
Rich and moist with melty chocolate chips all over, you can serve this without a glaze (which is what you usually do when you make Bundt cakes).
You may be wondering what cake balls are. These are just cake pops without the stick! You can also call these cake truffles, cake bites, and cake nuggets!
Here’s a treat you can add to your kid’s lunch box! Make ahead, slice, and refrigerate so you have ready pieces to put in ziplock bags when you need them! For added crunch, use chunky peanut butter instead of the creamy variant.
Another peanut butter treat that can also be added to any lunch box is this one! For a myriad of flavors, instead of using peanut butter chips, sprinkle caramel chips into the batter instead.
You can also use all three different chips for an ultra-sweet dessert!
Crusty outside and creamy inside! That’s what you get when you make this crumb bar treat! If you can’t find fresh blueberries for this dessert, frozen ones will work, but drain them properly so they don’t make the bars soggy.
This dessert is as classic as they come! Perfect for summer outings, luaus, and picnics, this cake can be baked in a traditional round shape or in a rectangular pan. You can also make individual pieces with this recipe by using a muffin tin instead! Just adjust the baking time to compensate for the type of pan you’re using.
Here’s another upside-down cake that you can make for those special occasions. Tart and sweet, with the added crunch of chopped pecans, this dessert is to die for!
You can make this dessert if you crave apple pie but want cake too!
When you talk about cheesecake, you tend to imagine a crust that’s made with crushed graham crackers. Not this cheesecake!
This baked goodie has a yellow cake crust with a cheesecake center and cherry topping. Now, that’s what we call a delectable and sophisticated dessert!
What do you do when you have over-ripe bananas in your kitchen? You make Banana Pudding Cake! This version of banana cake pumps up the banana flavor with the help of a banana pudding mix.
Poke cakes have been around since the 1970s and became ultra-popular in the 1980s.
These treats are poked full of holes before gelatin (or in this case, banana pudding mix) is poured all over. Top with freshly sliced bananas for an extra layer of banana goodness. This gives you a cake with different textures – cakey, fruity, creamy, and gooey!
Still on bananas, here’s a cake that you can bake in any form you want! Mix the batter and pour into a loaf pan for a classic banana nut loaf. Or you can pour it into muffin cups for banana muffins!
Want it more cake-like? A cake pan of any size should do the trick!
The challenge you face with yellow cake mix recipes for cookies is how to make these crispy. Well, the trick to getting the right crispness outside each cookie is in the consistency of the dough!
You also have to bake them at a higher temperature but for a shorter amount of time to get the snap that you want.
18. Butter Cookies
If you like your cookies more on the softer side, this is a recipe you should try. Adding cream cheese to the dough helps keep each cookie moist and soft. For easier handling when making the cookie balls, chill the dough for a couple of hours before baking.
This one is not your typical birthday cake. It is finished with chocolate buttercream frosting, but feel free to use vanilla cream.
The inclusion of heavy cream provides an extra creaminess to the frosting. Refrigerate the cake for an hour for extra neat slices.
For all you coffee lovers out there, this cake is the perfect complement to your daily brew! The addition of a crumb topping gives this cake a layer of crunchy sweetness.
If you find the cake to be sweet enough for your taste, you can forgo the addition of a glaze on top.
21. Whoopie Pies
Why settle for store-bought, unimaginative Whoopie Pies when you can make your own stellar ones at home? The use of yellow cake mix for this recipe makes the process that much easier.
The pudding filling can also be any flavor you want, so go wild and mix it up!
22. Rhubarb Cake
Is the rhubarb considered a fruit or is it a vegetable?
Rhubarb has officially been declared a fruit by the USDA, but some people still think of it as a vegetable. Whatever the case may be, adding rhubarb to a cake gives you a tangy, sweet, and sour dessert. This cake is even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
One reason people don’t make desserts as often as they used to is the time it takes to make them.
Well, with this recipe, you can’t use that excuse! This Strawberry Shortcake is a dump cake that you can make ahead of time. Bake, pour, cool, and add frosting right before serving – so easy!
24. Peach Cobbler
If you love peach cobbler but don’t want to be bothered with creating the batter from scratch, here’s one that uses yellow cake mix instead. You can also use canned peaches for this one for added convenience.
Just like rhubarb cake, this also goes well with some vanilla ice cream on the side.
25. Peach Crumb Cake
Another uncomplicated cake that uses canned peaches and boxed yellow cake mix is this crumb cake. Mix the batter, top with drained canned peaches, top with the crumb topping, then bake!
Serve each slice with glaze or some whipped cream on top plus additional peach slices for a delectable treat!
26. Coconut Cake
For a sweet, tropical ending to your meal, this is one cake you should make!
This cake can be somewhat complicated, what with it having two layers and frosting that’s made from scratch. But, the use of yellow cake mix cuts prep time substantially! You can also use ready-made frosting to coat the cake before covering it with shredded or desiccated coconut all over!
27. Rum Cake
Ahhh, another Bundt cake with booze! Use any rum, although it’s best if you use good quality rum for this recipe.
The addition of nuts to the cake gives it added crunch and flavor, and the nuts also go well with the rum-based glaze!
One of the simplest yellow cake mix recipes to do is the dump cake. As the name indicates, it’s a mix, dump, and bake type of dessert.
If you don’t like blueberries (or don’t have any in your pantry), you can always substitute them with any canned fruit or pie filling that you have!
What do you do if you suddenly have dinner guests who also expect dessert after dinner? You whip up one of the quickest and easiest desserts around!
This recipe for Lemon Crumble Bars uses only 3 ingredients and is as tasty as they come!
Here’s another convenient dessert recipe that uses yellow cake mix and ready-made pie filling. To add some texture to the crust, rolled oats are mixed in!
The crumb topping is also made using the same ingredients as the crust, so you don’t have to go out of your way to create it!
This Cinnamon Roll Cake recipe is easy to make and topped with a simple frosting made from powdered sugar. It’s an excellent way to enjoy the flavors of cinnamon rolls without all the work.
Ingredients include: Egg, vanilla, vegetable oil, cinnamon, and milk.
32. Confetti Bars
This recipe for Confetti Bars highlights a fun and lovely treat especially adored by kids. It offers vibrant colors and a sweet flavor enjoyed at any party or gathering.
Ingredients include: Butter, egg, yellow cake mix, rainbow sprinkles, and white chocolate.
Cake Mix M&M Cookies are a playful spin on traditional cookie recipes. They include a vibrant yellow cake mix base instead of the typical chocolate chip cookie foundation.
Ingredients include: Eggs, vegetable oil, chocolate chips, M&M candies, and yellow cake mix.
This muffin recipe presents an easy method to whip up fluffy and moist banana muffins. It also allows customization of suggested mix-ins like nuts and are even better served cold.
Ingredients include: Butter, bananas, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and eggs.
These Sweet Potato Cheesecake Bars have a creamy cheesecake layer resting on a tender yellow cake mix crust. They include unique toppings that add a slightly crispy texture and sweet flavor to the squares.
Ingredients include: Sweet potatoes, cream cheese, egg, sugar, and nutmeg.
36. Cake Mix Donuts
Aren’t these the cutest? This donut recipe will satisfy a sweet tooth without the usual work of homemade donuts. It comes with three different glazes, allowing you to customize on a whim.
Ingredients include: Egg, maple syrup, cake mix, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar.
Yellow Cake Baked Oatmeal is a quick, sweet breakfast dish. Ideal for busy mornings, the recipe is baked and topped with fresh peaches and raspberries.
Ingredients include: Peach, raspberries, eggs, oats, and cake mix.
This dessert requires a few simple ingredients. The base is a cake mix crust, the filling is a peanut butter mixture, and the topping is made with marshmallows.
Ingredients include: Peanuts, egg, Rice Krispies, corn syrup, and peanut butter chips.
39. Honey Bun Cake
This cake recipe starts with a boxed yellow cake mix and gets its moisture from the addition of sour cream. It’s topped with a delicious vanilla glaze.
Ingredients include: Yellow cake mix, eggs, sour cream, brown sugar, and pecans.
This recipe for Cake Mix Cookie Bars only requires four ingredients. The bars are simple to make and are a delicious treat for any occasion.
Ingredients include: Yellow cake mix, eggs, olive oil, and chocolate chips.
The bottom line
This compilation of yellow cake mix recipes will come in handy the next time you need to make desserts but don’t have all day.
Choose one (or two or three) of these quick and easy options for that sweet ending you can’t resist. You can also make these for potlucks and bake sales, too.
Now, you don’t have to forgo dessert even if you’re pressed for time. With the help of yellow cake mixes, you can make yummy, impressive, and quick treats in no time.
More About Cake Mix
- Does Cake Mix Go Bad?
- White Cake Mix Recipes
- Pumpkin Cookies With Cake Mix
- Cake Mix Snickerdoodles
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies With Cake Mix
- Italian Hangover Cake
- How to Make Cake Balls
40 Best Yellow Cake Mix Recipes
Ingredients
- Pumpkin Pie Cake Bars
- Carrot Cake
- Blackberry Cake
- Vanilla Bourbon Bundt Cake
- Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake
- Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
- Christmas Cake Balls
- Peanut Butter Bars
- Peanut Butter Blondies
- Lemon Blueberry Crumb Bars
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
- Cherry Cheesecake
- Banana Pudding Cake
- Caramel Banana Pudding Poke Cake
- Walnut Banana Cake
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Butter Cookies
- Yellow Birthday Cake
- Coffee Crumb Cake
- Whoopie Pies
- Rhubarb Cake
- Strawberry Shortcake
- Peach Cobbler
- Peach Crumb Cake
- Coconut Cake
- Rum Cake
- Blueberry Dump Cake
- Lemon Crumble Bars
- Cherry Dream Bars
- Cinnamon Roll Cake
- Confetti Bars
- Cake Mix M&M Cookies
- Cake Mix Banana Muffins
- Sweet Potato Cheesecake Bars
- Cake Mix Donuts
- Yellow Cake Baked Oatmeal
- Salted Nut Roll Bars
- Honey Bun Cake
- Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Instructions
- Find your favorite recipe from our Yellow Cake Mix Recipes list.
- Gather all the ingredients needed.
- If you love it, don’t forget to share where you got it!
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