This easy homemade cake mix recipe is the perfect way to have freshly baked homemade cake at a moment’s notice or to give as a gift to someone you love. It may seem silly to make your own homemade cake mix, but you will be glad you did after you taste the yummy homemade goodness of cake made from your own cake mix recipe.

Homemade Cake Mix Recipe

It is as easy as making boxed cake mix, but much more delicious! In fact, it takes less time to whip up this easy homemade cake mix recipe than it does to run to the store. Not only do we give you instructions to make homemade cake mix, but also how to make homemade cake!

WHAT IS Homemade CAKE MIX MADE OF?

When you buy a boxed cake mix, all the dry ingredients you need are included. But since cake mix is made from the most basic pantry ingredients, you probably already have everything you need to make your own cake mix to use whenever you want.

HOW TO MAKE Easy HOMEMADE CAKE MIX Recipe

My grandma used to make everything from scratch. As a kid, it was magical, watching her bake up a storm of delicious treats. As I grew older, I envied her kitchen skills and wished I had the time to learn.

This homemade cake mix recipe proves that cooking from scratch doesn’t have to be time consuming.

Preparing baking mixes ahead of time, like this DIY cake mix, homemade pancake mix, and homemade Bisquick mix, saves you time in the kitchen, and it’s a healthier, convenient way to bake and achieves that desired homemade taste!

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Dry Ingredients For This Homemade Cake Mix Recipe

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

How to Make Cake Mix Ahead of Time

STEP 1

In a medium bowl, combine all dry ingredients.

STEP 2

Store in jar with lid or airtight container. We like using a mason jar because it fits well in the pantry, looks great when you give it as a gift and is just an easy way to recycle those canning jars.

Notes:

• Using all-purpose flour for your homemade mixes will make a more denser cake than if you substituted the flour with cake flour. You will need 1 cup and 2 TBSP cake flour for every 1 cup of all-purpose flour.
• It will make it fluffy like every box of cake mix.
• You can add 3/4 ups of unsweetened cocoa powder to make this a chocolate cake mix. Everyone loves homemade chocolate cake.

How to MAKE CAKE OR CUPCAKES WITH HOMEMADE CAKE MIX

OK! We now have our own cake mix so it is time to make the cake batter. If you are giving this as a gift, add a list of the needed wet ingredients and steps. Let’s get out a big bowl to make cake!

Wet Ingredients – Homemade Cake Mix

• ½ cup milk or buttermilk
• ½ cup oil, vegetable oil or canola oil
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

How To Make A Make Cake

STEP 1

In a large bowl, combine dry mix and wet ingredients until well combined. If you are using a hand mixer, start on a low speed and work up to a medium speed as the simple ingredients combine. Same if you’re using a stand mixer.

STEP 2

Pour batter into greased 13×9 pan or divide into cupcake liners.

STEP 3

Bake cake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

STEP 4

Bake cupcakes at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the
center comes out clean.

STEP 5

Cool completely and frost as desired.

Notes:

• The egg yolks will change the color of the cake. If you’re okay with a yellow cake, add the yolk along with the whole eggs. Everyone loves a homemade yellow cake mix though. Only egg whites (I would try 2 eggs worth of egg whites since it is less than 2 cups of flour) are needed for a white cake though white cake usually also calls for butter and shortening too.
• Don’t want homemade vanilla cake mix? Add almond extract or butter extract to your cake batter instead. This made from scratch cake is yours to make exciting! You can make your dry cake mix any flavor you want.
• Want a super moist cake? Try adding sour cream to your cake! The high fat content will keep it moist and fluffy. Most people suggest at least 1 cup, but you can always play around with it until you’re happy with the ratio.
• You can also make cake in 8-inch or 9-inch cake pans.

HOW DO I MAKE GLUTEN FREE HOMEMADE CAKE MIX?

There are quite a few gluten-free cake mix options in the stores, but they are so expensive! The best thing about DIY cake mixes, is that it’s much cheaper to make your own, and you can easily tailor the mix to fit your dietary needs.

In order to make this cake mix recipe gluten free, replace regular all-purpose flour with gluten free all-purpose flour, and double check that your baking powder and your other dry ingredients are gluten free. That’s it! You can also double check that your vanilla extract is gluten free, as well. 

HOW DO I MAKE EGG FREE CAKES?

You can buy an egg replacement from the grocery store or Amazon, but it’s more cost effective to just make your own! Mix 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce with 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder for “one egg”. I tend to prefer this “applesauce egg” for baking and making pancakes and waffles. Or, combine 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 2 1/2 to 3 tablespoons of water to create “one egg”. 

VEGAN AND DAIRY FREE CAKE MIX 

This is an easy recipe to make a white cake mix that everyone can enjoy! If you want vegan and dairy free cake mix you need to replace the eggs and dairy products. Use the egg substitutes indicated above, instead of eggs.

How To Store Your Homemade Cake

Once you use your homemade cake mix to make a homemade cake you can make a sheet cake or make cake layers. If you make a sheet cake make sure you cover it with plastic wrap or tin foil. If you make cake layers (with round cake pans) for like a special occasion such as a birthday cake, you’ll want a cake container. Don’t want the layer cake you made with the best vanilla cake recipe to dry out! Or the frosting to get crunchy nothing is worse than dried out cream cheese frosting or chocolate frosting.

What Kind Of Frostings Can I Use On My Cake?

That’s the best part of this cake! It’s a very mild cake so you can add any flavors you want to it. You can add frosting like:

• vanilla buttercream frosting
• chocolate buttercream frosting
• strawberry frosting
• peanut butter frosting

Any of your favorite flavors!

Some FAQs For Baking Beginners

How long can I store homemade cake mix?

When properly stored, homemade cake mix can typically be stored for about 3 to 4 months, assuming your ingredients have not been sitting on the shelf for an excessive amount of time already.

Here are some tips for storing homemade cake mix:

• Store homemade cake mix for approximately 3 to 4 months.
• Use an airtight container or resealable bag to protect it from moisture and air.
• Label the container with the type of cake mix and the date it was prepared.
• Find a cool, dry place in your pantry or kitchen cabinets for storage.
• Avoid exposing the mix to heat, direct sunlight, or excessive humidity.
• Check for freshness before using by inspecting for strange odors, clumps, or discoloration.
• Discard the mix if you see any signs of your homemade cake mix being spoiled.

How can I use my homemade cake mix?

Obviously, you can use homemade cake mix to bake a cake but you can use this easy mix for so much more.

If you can’t get enough cake, check out these 25 cake mix hacks to pick your dessert tonight. They are perfect for this homemade cake mix.

Want to get your kids involved? Try these earth day cupcakes (that look fun enough for any day!) You can use this method to make cupcakes in any color you choose.

Planning a camping trip? Use this homemade cake mix for this famous Boy Scout Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler!

If you check out Pinterest, you will find literally hundreds of recipes for cake mix cookies, brownies, blondies, pancakes and more. You will be so happy to have this homemade cake mix on your counter!

What is the difference between boxed cake mix and homemade cake mix?

Overall, while boxed cake mixes offer convenience and consistency, homemade cake mixes provide greater control, customization, and the opportunity to use fresh ingredients. Choosing between the two depends on personal preferences, time constraints, and the desire for creative control over the baking process.

The added benefit to homemade cake mix is the ability to measure exactly the amount you need without worrying about leaving an open box in the pantry.

Want to make an extra layer on a cake? Want to make a small batch of muffins or cake mix cookies? It is much easier to just grab your measuring cup and use the homemade cake mix on your counter.

EASY Cake RECIPES FOR KIDS TO MAKE  

Some of the best memories I have of my daughter were made in the kitchen! Kids are naturally curious and excellent kitchen helpers. Here are a few of our favorite cake recipes to make together.

• Try this delicious maple cupcakes recipe which is a favorite at this time of the year!
• An easy and super yummy dessert solution is making an icebox cake and this is one of our favorite cake recipes.
• We have two fun mug cake recipes: banana mug cake recipe & chocolate lava mug cake.
• Have you ever baked cake in an orange peel? I love these orange cupcake ideas!
• These cake mix cookies would be easy to make!
• One of our most popular cake recipes here at Kids Activities Blog is our Harry Potter cupcakes! <–they are magical!
• You don’t want to miss our cake mix recipes ideas and hacks or how to make a box cake better…it is easier than you might think!
• DIY cake mix, homemade pancake mix, and homemade Bisquick mix
• Try making this Jello Poke Cake recipe!
• We have great bisquick recipes including cake!
• You have to try this hot chocolate mug cake!
• Check out one of these amazing cake mix hacks!
• Looking for some cake recipe’s for kids, try this tres leche cake recipe!

Related: We have cake coloring pages and cupcake coloring pages you don’t want to miss!

What are you going to do with your homemade cake mix recipe? Make freshly baked homemade cake? Give the cake mix as a gift?