The Best DIY Cake Mix Recipe That’s Easy, Flavorful, and Versatile
When it comes to baking, convenience often means reaching for a box of cake mix. While store-bought cake mixes can be a quick and easy solution, many of them contain preservatives and artificial ingredients. What if you could have the same convenience without the additives? With this make-ahead cake mix recipe, you get all the benefits of a store-bought mix, but with the freshness and flexibility to tailor it to your tastes. Plus, it’s easy to prepare, and you can store it for future use. In this blog post, we’ll walk through how to create your own homemade cake mix that you can use for any cake flavor you desire!
Ingredients for Your Make-Ahead Cake Mix
To create your homemade cake mix, you’ll need a few simple dry ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The base of the cake mix, providing structure and texture.
- 4 ½ teaspoons baking powder: This helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
- 2 teaspoons salt: Balances out the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
- 3 cups white sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture to the cake.
These ingredients create a basic dry cake mix that can be stored in a jar for future use. Once you have your dry mix ready, it’s time to use it to bake your cake!
How to Prepare Your Dry Cake Mix
Making the dry mix is a quick process. Simply combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Stir them together thoroughly until they’re evenly distributed. Once mixed, transfer the dry ingredients into a half-gallon mason jar. Seal it tightly and store it in a cool, dry place. The dry cake mix can be kept for several weeks, ready to use whenever you need it.
The beauty of this mix is that it’s versatile. You can adjust the flavor or make modifications depending on your preferences. If you like chocolate cake, for instance, just add cocoa powder to the mix (more on that later). You can also tweak the flavor with different extracts.
How to Bake a Cake with Your Homemade Cake Mix
When you’re ready to bake your cake, preheat your oven to 350°F. You’ll need 3 ½ cups of the dry cake mix to make one batch of cake. Here’s the list of additional ingredients required for the cake itself:
- 1 cup milk: Adds moisture and richness to the batter.
- 3 eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients and give the cake structure.
- ¾ cup melted unsalted butter: Creates a moist, rich texture.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Adds a lovely flavor to the cake batter.
To make the cake, add the 3 ½ cups of dry mix, milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix everything together until combined, and then beat for an additional 4 minutes until the batter is smooth and creamy.
Once your batter is ready, grease and flour your cake pans, or line them with parchment paper for easy removal later. Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans, ensuring they are filled evenly to help the cakes bake uniformly. Bake the cakes in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a fork inserted in the center comes out clean. This indicates that the cakes are done and ready to be taken out of the oven.
After removing the cakes from the oven, allow them to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer the cakes to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting or serving.
Label Your Jars!
This recipe is printed on a dishwasher-safe label made for the lids of mason jars! Each label has the recipe to refill the jar and make the item (if applicable).
You can buy each label individually, or a pack of all of the pantry labels in my website shop.
Customize Your Cake Flavor
One of the best things about making your own cake mix is the ability to customize the flavor to suit your preferences. You can easily change the flavor of the cake by adding ingredients to the dry mix or adjusting the liquid ingredients.
For example, if you prefer a chocolate cake, you can add ½ cup of cocoa powder to the dry mix. This will give the cake a rich, chocolaty taste without needing to buy a separate chocolate cake mix. You can also play around with different extracts to change the flavor profile. Consider adding almond extract for a nutty twist or orange extract for a zesty citrus flavor. The possibilities are endless, and you can experiment with different flavors until you find your favorite!
Storing Your Homemade Cake Mix
Making your own cake mix means you’ll always have a fresh option on hand without the need to buy a box. To store the dry mix, keep it in a sealed mason jar or any airtight container in a cool, dry place. It can last for up to several weeks, giving you plenty of time to use it for multiple cakes. This is especially helpful if you have a busy schedule and want to make sure you always have a homemade cake mix available when a baking craving hits.
Why You Should Make Your Own Cake Mix
By making your own cake mix, you avoid the preservatives and artificial ingredients often found in store-bought mixes. Plus, you have the flexibility to customize the cake’s flavor, giving you a more personalized baking experience. This recipe is perfect for anyone who loves baking but wants to save time by preparing the dry mix ahead of time. It’s also an excellent option for those with dietary restrictions, as you can ensure all ingredients are fresh and free from unwanted additives.
Your turn!
Making your own cake mix is a simple and cost-effective way to bake delicious, fresh cakes at home without relying on store-bought mixes. With just a few basic ingredients and the option to customize the flavor to suit your taste, this homemade cake mix is the perfect addition to your baking routine. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just satisfying a sweet tooth, this cake mix makes baking easy, enjoyable, and preservative-free.
This Recipe is in my Cookbook, From Scratch!
I’m excited to share my cookbook with you, created with sustainability and flavor in mind! From Scratch is packed with delicious, eco-conscious recipes designed to nourish both you and the planet. Every dish is carefully crafted to use fresh, local ingredients, and focuses on minimizing waste while maximizing taste.
From wholesome breakfasts to hearty dinners, my cookbook offers a variety of plant-based meals that are easy to prepare and full of nutrients. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or simply enjoy meals that are better for you and the Earth, this cookbook is your guide to eating in a way that’s both kind to the planet and satisfying to your taste buds. You can grab your copy here:
Check Out The Pantry Labels
In 2024, I released a set of Pantry Labels with recipes that are dishwasher-safe and fit the lids of mason jars perfectly.
Each labels has the recipe to refill the dry mix jar, as well as the recipe to make the item if applicable.
Cake Mix
Ingredients
Cake Dry Mix Ingredients:
- 4 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 4 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3 cups white sugar
To Make Cake:
- 3 ½ cups Dry Mix
- 1 cup milk
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup melted unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
For Dry Mixes
- Add flour, baking powder, white sugar and salt to a large bowl.
- Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are combined.
- Transfer to a half gallon mason jar and seal tightly. Store in a cool, dry place.
For Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Add Dry Mix, milk, eggs, butter and extract to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix until combined, and beat for 4 minutes until the batter is smooth and creamy.
- Grease and flour your cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
- Divide the batter evenly between cake pans.
- Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a fork inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting or serving.
