Crafting A Wedding Cake From A Box Cake Mix

Box cake mixes are a great option when you're short on time or missing ingredients, but they often have a distinct flavour. To make a box cake mix taste like a wedding cake, there are several simple tricks you can use. Firstly, replace the water with milk or buttermilk to add flavour and moisture. You can also swap out the oil for melted butter to enhance the flavour and provide a moist, tender crumb. Adding extra eggs, or just egg yolks, will make the cake richer and denser. For a chocolate cake, replace the water with cooled coffee to intensify the flavour. You can also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a quarter teaspoon of salt to make the cake taste more homemade.

Use milk, buttermilk, or coconut milk instead of water

Water has no flavour, so swapping it out for milk, buttermilk, or coconut milk will make your boxed cake taste richer and more like a homemade cake. The milk adds fat, which results in better flavour and density.

If you want to make your cake extra rich, swap out the milk for buttermilk. Because buttermilk is extra thick, use a few more tablespoons than the recipe calls for.

Using milk or buttermilk will give your cake a denser, more homemade taste and texture. Coconut milk is a great non-dairy alternative, and it will add a unique flavour to your cake.

If you're making a red velvet cake, you can also use buttermilk.

Add extra eggs

Adding an extra egg to your box cake mix is a great way to make your cake richer, denser, and more flavourful. The additional fat in the egg yolk will help create a more tender and moist cake that is full of flavour. The extra egg also helps the cake have a more stable texture, which is great if you want to bake it as a layer cake instead of a sheet cake or cupcakes.

The extra egg will also add moisture, fat, and a little protein, which means the cake will be softer and less likely to overbake and dry out in the oven. The additional protein will also help the cake rise, creating a fluffier texture.

If you want to make your cake extra rich and moist, you can add two extra egg yolks to the mix. This will increase the fat content and create an even more decadent cake. Just remember to save the egg whites to make delicious meringues or crème brûlée!

Adding an extra egg is a simple and effective way to elevate your box cake mix and create a bakery-style cake. With this trick, you'll be able to achieve a richer, more flavourful, and moist cake that your guests will surely love!

Add butter instead of oil

Butter can be used instead of oil in a cake mix to make it taste richer. Oil is what makes a cake moist, but butter can make it even more so. Using butter instead of oil can also make the cake fluffier and lighter.

To substitute butter for oil, you will need to melt the butter before mixing it with the other ingredients. This will ensure smooth, even distribution and texture. You can use the same amount of melted butter as you would vegetable oil.

When using butter instead of oil, it is important to cream the butter and sugar together for longer than you usually would. This will add more air to the mixture, lightening the density of the cake and keeping the texture as it should be. If the batter becomes too thick, you can add water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.

If you are substituting butter for vegetable oil in brownies, be sure to melt the butter first. This will make the dense fat more closely resemble the vegetable oil in texture.

Other Substitutions

You can also substitute other oils, such as olive oil, canola oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil, for vegetable oil in equal measure. Fruit and vegetable purees, such as applesauce, banana, pumpkin, or sweet potato puree, can also be used instead of oil to add moisture to the cake. These purees can be substituted in a ratio of 3/4 to 1 cup of puree for every 1 cup of vegetable oil.

Make your own icing

Making your own icing can be a great way to elevate your boxed cake mix and make it taste like a wedding cake. Here are some tips and recipes to help you make your own icing:

Simple Icing

This basic icing recipe is perfect for drizzling on cakes, cinnamon rolls, cookies, scones, and more. It starts out thin and gradually firms up as it dries but remains pliable.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons of milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions:

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk, and vanilla (if using) until the icing is smooth and has a spreadable/drizzling consistency. If the icing is too thick, whisk in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency. You can use this icing to drizzle or spoon over cookies, cakes, pastries, and other desserts. It will set and begin to harden after about 20 minutes.

Buttercream Icing

Buttercream icing is a classic choice for wedding cakes. It is soft, creamy, and spreadable.

Ingredients:

• Shortening
• Water
• Clear imitation vanilla extract
• Salt (optional, if using unsalted butter)
• 8 cups sifted powdered sugar, divided

Instructions:

Combine shortening, water, vanilla, salt (if using), and almond extract in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat until smooth and creamy. Gradually mix in half of the powdered sugar, then continue mixing for a minimum of 5 minutes, preferably up to 10 minutes. Mix in the remaining powdered sugar just until combined. If needed, add additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time, to reach the desired spreading consistency.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream cheese frosting is a delicious alternative to traditional buttercream and can be used to elevate the flavour of your boxed cake.

Ingredients:

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Confectioners' sugar
• Flavourings of your choice (e.g., vanilla, lemon, or orange extract)

Instructions:

Cream the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and your chosen flavourings. Mix until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding a small amount of liquid (water, milk, or juice) if needed.

Add extra flavourings like vanilla or almond extract

Adding extra flavourings like vanilla or almond extract is a great way to make a boxed cake mix taste like a wedding cake. Pure extracts of vanilla and almond are excellent options to enhance the flavour of a boxed cake mix. Add one to two teaspoons of these extracts to make your cake taste like it's made from scratch. Although vanilla extract is more commonly used, you can also experiment with other extracts like lemon or orange extract, especially if you're making a white or yellow cake.

Vanilla bean paste or fresh vanilla beans can also be used to add a richer flavour to your boxed cake mix, but they are more expensive options. If you want to create a truly unique flavour profile, consider adding a teaspoon of almond extract to your white or yellow cake mix, or a touch of rum or orange extract to a spice cake.

Additionally, you can enhance the flavour of your cake by adding some zest. For example, if you're using a lemon or orange extract, add some fresh citrus zest to amplify the citrus notes in your cake.

By incorporating these extra flavourings, you can easily transform a boxed cake mix into a delicious wedding cake with a more sophisticated and complex taste.

Frequently asked questions