The Everything Cake Mix Cookbook

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THE

EVERYTHING®

CAKE MIX COOKBOOK

Some of my favorite memories—and probably many of yours—are those of gathering around the table for a dinner with family and friends. But dinners like these are becoming more of a special event than a facet of daily life. Want to make them a more common event around your house? Tempt your friends and family to the table with irresistible home baked desserts.

This doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the kitchen whipping something up from scratch or doubling your grocery bill buying gourmet ingredients. Prepared cake mixes allow you to create a home-baked treat your family will love. It’s easy on your wallet, and it takes almost no time at all. The trick is knowing what to do with a cake mix. This book offers recipes, tips, tricks, combinations, and preparations that will help you transform the humble box in your pantry into a favorite family dessert. Enjoy them. Have fun baking and savor the time you spend enjoying family dinners with those you love.

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THE

EVERYTHING®

CAKE MIX

COOKBOOK

Sarah K. Sawyer

Copyright © 2009 Simon and Schuster All rights reserved.

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Published by Adams Media, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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ISBN 10: 1-60550-657-5

ISBN 13: 978-1-60550-657-9

eISBN: 978-1-60550-667-8

Printed in the United States of America.

J I H G F E D C B A

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

is available from the publisher.

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This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases.

For information, please call 1-800-289-0963.

To Ginny Sawyer, whose legendary

baking started this ball rolling.

Contents

Introduction

1 All about Cake Mix

2 Classic Cakes

Bettered Box Mix

Buttermilk Cake Batter

Creamy White Cake

Lemon Chiffonette Cake

Nutty White Cake

Classic Chocolate Cake

Classic Strawberry Cake

Italian Wedding Cake

Devil’s Food Cake

Neon Angel Cake

Chocolate Bundt Cake

Lemon Cooler Cake

Earth Angel Food Cake

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Peachy Yellow Cake

Fluffiest Cake Ever

Simply Better Chocolate Cake

Vanilla Cake

Mega-Moist Chocolate Cake

Simply Better Yellow Cake

3 Birthday Cakes.

Baby’s First Cake

Birthday Cake in a Cone

PB&J Cupcakes

Birthday Cake with Sprinkles

Princess Pink Strawberry Cake

Flower Pot Trifle

Belle of the Ball Fashion Doll Cake

All-American Burger Cake

Yellow Pop Cake

Birthday Cake Ice Cream

Peanut Butter Cup Cake

Swirl Cake

Lemony Birthday Cake

Cookies and Cream Birthday Cake

Tropical Birthday Cake

Éclair Birthday Cake

Pizza Cake

Crust for Ice Cream Pie

Boston Crème Cake

Black Forest Birthday Cake

Cherry Cordial Birthday Cake

4 Family Favorites

Chess Cake

Chess Cake Squares

Butter Cake

Peachy Skillet Bake

Harvest Fruit Bake

Quickest Brownies

Friendship Cake

Creamy Coconut Dessert

Strawberry Shortcake Bake

Sundae Cake

Chocolate Gooey Cake

Quick Bake Carrot Cake

Lemon Goo Cake

Candied Pumpkin Dessert

Playful Sprinkles Cake

Peanut Butter Cup Fondue

Cantaloupe Squares

Raspberry Chocolate Bars

Chocolate Cherry Bars

Chocolate Fondue

Yellow Cake Dessert

Ricotta Cake

Banana Bread

Chocolate Toffee Shortbread

Lemon Crunch Cake

Lemon Crème Cake

Sweet Potato Cake

5 Savory Surprises.

Sweet Tooth Cornbread Cake

Cornbread Croutons

Ham, Beans, and Cornbread

Fruity Brunch Pizza

Dinner Rolls

Pizza Rolls

Peach Pecan Pizza

Mexican Chili Pie

Sweet Potato Fritters

Spoon Bread Casserole

Beef Pot Pie

Scalloped Corn Casserole

Breakfast Bake Casserole

Sweetest Hushpuppies

Hamburger Cornbread Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole

6 Morning Glory Cakes.

Rich Topped Coffee Cake

Citrus Muffins

Cake Mix Pancakes

Better Buttermilk Breakfast Cake

Chocolate Cheese Muffins

Easy as Apple Pie Muffins

Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

Warm Spice Muffins

Raspberry Muffins

Toasty Blueberry Loaf

Blueberry Muffin French Toast

Super-Easy Fruity Muffins

Banana-Nut Muffins

Healthier Brownie Muffins

Sweet Bran Muffins

Sweet Rolls

Cake Doughnuts

Apple Delight Brunch Cake

Mandarin Orange Muffins

Chocolate Waffles

Piña Colada Sunrise Muffins

Tropical Angel Muffins

7 Cooking for a Crowd

Summer on the Patio Cake

Jack Horner’s Chocolate Cake

Brownies for a Crowd

Lemon Sheet Cake

Fruity Cake for a Crowd

Get-Together Coffee Cake

Favorite Potluck Bars

Easy Black Forest Cobbler

Peach Cobbler

Cherry Tunnel Cake

Fuzzy Navel Cake

Amaretto Dream Cake

Citrus Crush Cake

Shortcake Trifle

Cheesecake for 24

Pajama Party Pizza Cake

Grown-Up Chocolate Trifle

Lower-Cholesterol Apple Bake

Kahlua Cake

Family-Friendly Punch Bowl Trifle

8 Cooking with Kids

Toy Oven Cake

Yummiest Play Dough Ever

Kisses from Kids Cupcakes

Heart-Shaped Cupcakes

Cake of Many Colors

Fortune Cupcakes

No Bake Candy Treats

Easy Protein Cookies

Campfire Cobbler

Orange Campfire Cakes

Microwave Cake

Cinnamon Toast Cake

Mardi Gras Cakes

Magic Potion Cookies

Berry Snacky Pizza

Peanut Butter Cake

Peanut Butter Icing

Four-Ingredient Apple Bake

Choco-Cherry Cake

Slow Cooker Cobbler

Mud Pie Cupcakes

Ice Cream Sandwiches with Sprinkles

9 Cake Mix Cookies

Blank Canvas Cookie Recipe

German Chocolate Cake Cookies

Oatmeal and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Double-Devil Chocolate Crunch Cookies

Chocolate Biscotti

Coconut Kisses

Butter-Pecan Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Kisses

Whipped Cream Brownie Bakers

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Harvest Cookies

Lemon-Lover’s Cookies

Sandwich Cookies

Lemon Squares

Chocolate and Strawberry Cookies

Angel Food Cookies

Best-Ever Brownies

Lemon Mint Cookies

Peanut Butter Tea Cakes

Richest Yellow Cake Cookies

Granola White Chocolate Cookies

Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies

10 Cupcakes

Coconut Cupcakes

Chocolate Cupcakes

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Gooey Praline Cupcakes

Piña Colada Cupcakes

Chocolate Truffle Cupcakes

Perfect Lemon Cupcakes

Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Cherry Cola Cupcakes

Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Cupcakes

All-American Apple Pie Cupcakes

Chocolate-Filled Angel Cakes

Chocolate Sundae Cupcakes

Fresh Berry Cupcakes

Grande Ganache Cupcakes

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Candied Apple Cupcakes

Brownie Cakes

House Mouse Cupcakes

Rainy Day Cupcakes

Pudding-Topped Cupcakes

Whipping Cream

Strawberry Cheese Cupcakes

Berry Crème Cupcakes

11 For Chocolate Lovers.

Ultra-Chocolate Cake

Rich Chocolate Bundt Cake

Chocolate Upside-Down Cake

Classic Chocolate Trifle

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Cocoa-Cola Cake

Hot Chocolate Cake

Micro-Mug Cake for One

Sweet Layers Chocolate Cake

Lower-Fat Chocolate Cake

Crock-o-Late Cake

Sandwich Cookie Cake

Sandwich Cookie Cake Frosting

Coconaise Cake

Movie Night Brownies

Chocolate Cake Batter Ice Cream

Malt Shoppe Chocolate Cake

Turtle Skillet Cakes

Chocolaty Coconut Cake

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Mexican Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Latte Cake

Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies

Chocolate Angel Cakes

Mocha Mud Bundt Cake

12 Holiday Favorites

Fruitcake

Rum Cake

Rum Cake Glaze

Minute Macaroons

Cherry Sugar Plums

Kitschy Pixie Poke Cake

Day-Glo Valentine Cake

Chocolate-Covered-Cherry Brownies

Green Beer Cake

Leprechaun Cupcakes

Top o’ the Cupcake to You Icing

Sparkling Lavender Garden Party Cupcakes

Easter Coconut Cake

Summer Celebration Berry Cake

Pesach Banana Cake for Passover

Dulce de Leche Cream Cake

Great Pumpkin Cake

Pumpkin Patch Cake

Thanksgiving Pie Dump Cake

Pecan Pie Casserole

Fresh from the Bog Cranberry Cobbler

Cranberry Bundt Cake

Cranberry Cream Cake

13 Local and Organic

Organic Carrot Cake

Turnip Spice Cake

Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake

Easy Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumble

Sauerkraut Black Forest Cake

Chocolate Beet Cake

Pumpkin Bread

Baking Pumpkin

Spicy Squash Cake

Fresh Berry Lemon Cake

Harvest Squash Cobbler

Sunshine State Cake

Juiciest Poke Cake

A Is for Apple Cake

Ginny Sawyer’s Freezer Preserves

Farmers’ Market Trifle

Organic Grasshopper Brownies

Fruit Stand Jam Cake

Zucchini Cake

Smoothie Splash Pound Cake

14 Vegetarian Cakes

DIY Vegan Cake Mix

Super Quick Vegan Cookies

Vegan Pumpkin Cookies

Vegan Yellow Cake Sugar Cookies

Famous Vegan Fizz Cake

Vegan Chocolate Fizz Bundt Cake

Vegan Bundt Cake Glaze

Vegan Cherry Cola Cake

Vegan Spice Cake

Fancy Red Fizz Cake

Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins

Vegan Vanilla Icing

Vegan Chocolate Frosting

Vegan Dump Cake

Vegan Applesauce Cake

Sugar Cake

Sugar Cake Topping

Vegan Brownie Bites

Eggless Yellow Cake

Vegan Strawberry Shortcake

15 Special Diets and Allergies

Basic DIY Cake Mix

Yellow Cake from DIY Mix

White Cake from DIY Mix

Spice Cake from DIY Mix

Strawberry Cake from DIY Mix

Flour to Make Gluten-Free DIY Cake Mix

Dye- and Milk-Free Chocolate Frosting

No-Dye Red Velvet Cake

Chocolate Cake from DIY Mix

Cherrybrook Kitchen’s Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Filling

Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake

Allergy-Friendly Icing

Sugar-Free Frosting

Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler

Diabetic-Friendly Hearth-Spice Angel Food Cake

Diabetic Carrot Cake

Diabetic Lemon Cake

Egg- and Dairy-Free Yellow Cake

Orangey Angel Cookies

Diabetic-Friendly Sweet Treat

A Cake Decorating

Basic Tools and Techniques

Dusting and Stenciling Techniques

Chocolate Drizzles

Piping

Filigree

Appliqués

Grated Chocolate

Shaved Chocolate

Chocolate Curls

Striped Chocolate Curls

Feathered Chocolate Curls

Marbled Chocolate Curls

Chocolate Fans

Chocolate Leaves

Chocolate Cutouts

B Substitutions and Conversions

C Glossary

D Resources

Acknowledgments

So many people have invested time and effort into making this book a success. Thank you Grandma Ginny for your baking inspiration, and to Mom for teaching me the basics of home baking. Thanks go to Brian, Ken, and Mike for offering my first opportunity to write professionally for home bakers, and to Libby for talking me through the process of recipe creation and presentation. None of this would be happening without you.

Thanks also to Bob and Katrina for seeing me through the process of writing this manuscript. Your patience and guidance are precious and made this possible. Thank you.

Introduction

CAKES ARE THE FOOD of celebration. People bake them for the special events in life, or just to celebrate the end of a particularly lovely meal. They can have the simple flavors you’d expect from a basic cake, or they can surprise and delight the palate with unusual additions and creative ingredients. They can be homely in appearance or elaborately decorated. They can be a flavorful showcase of the cook’s artistry or a fun collaboration for the kids. he possibilities are endless, and cake mix makes them easy enough for cooks of all levels.

Baking a cake is more than ticking off an item on the big night’s to-do list; it’s continuing a traditional art form. It’s the creation of something delicious and wholesome to share with others. Every attempt to bake a cake holds within it the possibility that it will become a favorite recipe, one to be shared with friends and family and to be anticipated whenever dear ones gather.

The first step in baking a cake is, of course, planning. This doesn’t have to include huge amounts of research—that’s already been done. All that’s really required is calmly thinking through the details. How many people are eating? Is this event fancy or family style? Do the diners enjoying this cake have dietary restrictions or allergies you must consider? Last, and most important, what recipe, ingredient, or technique would be fun to tackle next?

With these questions answered, searching for the perfect recipe is much easier. A quick glance at this book’s table of contents will point you to recipes designed for holidays and special occasions as well as for family dinners. You’ll also find recipes for those with special dietary needs, or cooks ready to try new ingredients. Read interesting recipes through carefully and entirely before selecting one. It’s easy to miss a step, a piece of equipment, or an ingredient by reading too quickly, so take it slow. Make a list of things you need and then gather them before you start. There’s nothing worse than being halfway through a project and realizing you’re missing an ingredient or tool.

The must-have list of ingredients in this book starts with one thing: cake mix. Some recipes call for a specific brand or flavor, but most allow a little wiggle room. Keep a stash of basic flavors and frostings in a cool, dry cabinet and you’ll be ready to bake when the event presents itself.

Now, a quick word about this main ingredient. Some feel that baking with cake mix is cheating and that a cake isn’t truly home-baked unless the cook spent hours in the kitchen measuring, mixing, baking, frosting, and plating the picture-perfect slice. But home is where the heart is, and home-baked is anything baked with love. Most cake mixes are nothing more than basic ingredients that are simply pre-mixed for you. Why on earth not let a trusted brand do the measuring for you? It can mean a few more minutes spent living, loving, and laughing and a few less spent measuring, sifting, and sorting. Enjoying life is so much more than the icing on the cake.

CHAPTER 1

All about Cake Mix

It’s found in a box, in many flavors, and in a certain aisle of your local grocery store, but what else do you know about cake mix? Unless you remember its debut in the late 1920s, you probably consider boxed cake mix a staple that always was and always will be—but, of course, there’s more to it than that. Boxed cake mix has a cultural and culinary history that’s worth knowing. Happily, this chapter is here to spill the details.

History of Cake Baking and Innovation

Cakes were born almost the same time humans learned to make flour. Today folks around the world bake and enjoy cakes or cake-like treats, but cake was not originally developed as a dessert. The Greeks did develop cheesecake at a very early date, and there are some records of fruitcake-like breads being baked in early Rome. In addition, ancient sweetened biscuit-style cakes have been found in Egyptian and other archeological digs. Nevertheless, today it is generally acknowledged that the development of cake as we know it originated on the British Isles.

Most historians agree that the first records of cake were found in medieval England—but this was not cake as it is today. Early cakes were probably nothing more than sweetened breads; in fact, for centuries the terms cake and bread were all but interchangeable. Try to imagine an early cake. Think oat bread or biscuit. They were certainly smaller in size than cakes are today, and weren’t topped with a glaze, icing, or frosting.

As early as the fourteenth century, the poet Chaucer mentioned cakes made of flour, butter, eggs, cream, currants, and spices. In the seventeenth century, English writers began to describe cakes and methods for baking them. They began to sound much more like the confections we encounter today. While some cakes were still formed by hand, some were baked in tin or wooden hoops much like springform pans we use today. However, baking at that time involved using a fireplace oven rather than the controllable electric and gas ovens we use today.

The first cakes were baked with no leavening at all or with yeast, but that changed in the middle of the nineteenth century. Alfred