Manufacturers have been downsizing their cake mixes for years. Here's why.
The Surprising Reason Why There’s Less Cake Mix in Your Box
Updated Jul. 14, 2022
A few years ago, a big change happened to many boxed cake mixes. The average home cook might have missed it, but folks like you and me? We noticed! Manufacturers like Pillsbury, Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker made their boxed cake mixes a few ounces lighter. Cake mixes that were once around 18 oz. were reduced to around 16 oz. and then again to 15 oz.
Psst: Here’s how to make cake mix taste homemade.
Wait, What? Why the Cut-Down in Cake Mix?
As ingredients became more expensive, cake mix companies and many other food manufacturers sneakily dropped a couple of ounces from the box. Before you start asking for your money back, cake mix companies still contend that their product creates a standard 13×9 cake. But how does this change affect all the other cake mix recipes we know and love?
How Reduced Cake Mix Affects Your Desserts
As we know, baking is a science. Fewer ounces can drastically alter your finished dish. I did a little snooping, and here’s what I found out.
Cake
If you’re making a cake like this Come Home to Mama Chocolate Cake with reduced cake mix, you’ll likely notice the difference. Without the extra filling, the cake will likely not rise as high. In my book, this isn’t a problem. I find that it saves room for extra ice cream!
Cupcakes
If you’re making cupcakes, the reduced cake mix means you could end up with 23 treats instead of 24. I find that adding a filling helps. These Tres Leches Cupcakes are a perfect example of that. With a chocolatey cream cheese center, they don’t even need frosting!
Dessert Bars
If you’re making a bar recipe that uses a cake mix as the base or crust, you’re going to notice a difference. With less cake mix, the crust will be a bit thinner, but it will still work.
If you’re concerned with the thinner crust, drop a pan size. For instance, these Macadamia Sunshine Bars call for a 13×9-inch baking dish. Drop that to a 11×7-inch baking dish and no one will ever know the difference. I find that guests appreciate the thicker filling, and you’ll be happier with the sturdier crust.
Dump Cakes
If you’re making a classic dump cake like this Chocolate-Covered-Cherry Dump Cake, you likely won’t notice the missing ounces at all. These desserts bake up super-easy regardless of how much cake mix goes in.
How to Make up for the Difference
If you’re really concerned about the difference in your older recipes, here’s a trick I use. I keep an extra box of yellow cake mix in a mason jar. When the difference matters, I use a scale and add a couple of ounces to the mix I’m using. (Here’s how to use a kitchen scale like a pro.) The yellow works with any flavor. And my desserts? They turn out as delicious as they always were.
We blind taste-tested the most common cake mix brands. Here’s the one that came out on top.
All of These Gems Start with Cake Mix!
Cake Mix BrowniesThese cake mix brownies are a mash-up of two of my favorite desserts. A woman I worked with gave me a recipe for chocolate caramel brownies, and I have a recipe for yellow cake mix bars. I wondered what they would taste like together, so I tried it—and I've been making them ever since! —Staci Mergenthal, Verdi, Minnesota
Dutch Oven Chocolate Dump CakeLooking for a quick dessert that will make people think you spent all day in the kitchen? This Dutch oven dump cake will wow your guests. Feel free to use your favorite pie filling in place of cherry. — Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Pumpkin Spice CakeWe sometimes call this pumpkin spice cake "Thanksgiving Cake" because it's a tasty alternative to pie, but we don't relegate it to just that holiday. I think you'll agree it's delicious any time of the year. —Kathy Rhoads, Circleville, Ohio
Pistachio BreadSomething like bread and cake combined, this pistachio bread is a true treat to eat. Enjoy it for breakfast, as a snack or as part of a meal.
Birthday Cake FudgeThis decadent birthday cake fudge is the perfect thing to make your big day special. Or prepare it ahead and package it as a surprise gift for a friend. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Rhubarb Custard CakeRhubarb thrives in my northern garden and is one of the few crops the pesky moose don't bother! Of all the desserts I've tried, this rhubarb custard cake is my first choice. It has old-fashioned appeal but is so simple to prepare. —Evelyn Gebhardt, Kasilof, Alaska
Devil’s Food Whoopie PiesThese mini cookie cakes were one of my favorite treats while I was growing up in Pennsylvania. We called them gobs because they are gobs of fun to eat! The recipe can make fewer or more, depending on how large or small you make the cookies. Place the finished chocolate whoopie pies in large cupcake liners for a professional look. —Pamela Esposito, Galloway, New Jersey
Angel Food Cake RollThere's always room for dessert—especially when it's this eye-catching angel food cake roll. We like strawberry yogurt in the filling, but different flavors work well, too. —Joan Colbert, Sigourney, Iowa
Pineapple Pudding CakeMy mother used to love making this easy pineapple sunshine cake in the summertime. It's so cool and refreshing that it never lasts very long! —Kathleen Worden, North Andover, Massachusetts
Red Velvet Cinnamon RollsIf you ever wished you could have red velvet cake for breakfast, now you can, thanks to these vanilla-iced red velvet cinnamon rolls.
Slow-Cooker Spumoni CakeI created this cake for a holiday potluck one year. It has become one of my most requested desserts. If you prefer, you can use all semisweet chips instead of a mix. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
Strawberry Rhubarb Dump CakeIt always seems like my rhubarb goes bad in a hurry, so I was looking for a simple way to combine two of my favorite flavors in an incredibly easy dessert. I added extra spices to enhance the flavor of this strawberry-rhubarb dump cake for a sweet treat my whole family loved! —Jessica Bridge, Grand Junction, Colorado
Margarita CakeThis margarita cake is perfect for a picnic on a warm day. You'll be surprised at how closely it tastes like the real thing. These other margarita dessert recipes are delicious, too. ?—Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Pineapple Upside-Down Dump CakeThis dump cake recipe is wonderful topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It works well with sugar-free and gluten-free cake mixes too. —Karin Gatewood, Dallas, Texas
Funfetti PancakesFunfetti pancakes flecked with rainbow sprinkles and slathered in vanilla frosting create a celebratory start to birthdays or any day! They use equal parts cake mix and pancake mix to achieve a cakelike texture.
Black Forest Upside-Down CakeThe divine flavors of this simple Black Forest cake will impress your guests and leave you with many requests for the recipe! —Kimberly Campbell, Wheeling, West Virginia
Favorite Banana Cream PieHomemade banana cream pie is my mom’s specialty, and this dreamy dessert has a wonderful banana flavor. It looks so pretty, and it cuts easily too. —Jodi Grable, Springfield, Missouri
Angel MacaroonsThese chewy coconut cookies start with a boxed angel food cake mix. —Renee Schwebach, Dumont, Minnesota
Chocolate Peppermint CakeGuests make sure to save room for this light and moist cake with its refreshing mint flavor and chocolate glaze. Its seasonal look makes it perfect for Christmas...a holiday birthday party...or other festive gatherings!
Pressure-Cooker Chocolate-Apricot Dump CakeYears ago, I used to prepare a dessert similar to this in the oven. Oh, it was so good. I converted the recipe to use my pressure cooker and now we can enjoy it quickly. Try it also with white cake mix and blueberry pie filling. Best served warm with ice cream or whipped cream. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Pumpkin Muffins with Cake MixMade with nothing more than a can of pumpkin and a box of spice cake mix, these simple pumpkin muffins are easy, fluffy and endlessly versatile. You can add raisins, chocolate, nuts and more. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Mocha Truffle CheesecakeI went through a phase when I couldn't get enough cheesecake or coffee, so I created this rich dessert. Its brownie-like crust and creamy mocha layer really hit the spot. It's ideal for get-togethers because it can be made in advance. —Shannon Dormady, Great Falls, Montana
Berry Dream CakeI use cherry gelatin to give a boxed cake mix an eye-appealing marbled effect. It's so festive-looking. Top it with whatever fruit you like! —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
Red Velvet Cake BallsThe next time you host a party, whip up these irresistible bite-sized red velvet cake balls for your guests. They are sweet, easy to make and require only three ingredients.
Pecan Coffee CakeMy mom serves this nutty coffee cake for Christmas breakfast each year. The simple recipe is a big timesaver on such an event-filled morning. Everyone loves the crunchy topping. —Becky Wax, Tuscola, Illinois
Banana Flip CakeOur banana flip cake was inspired by a vintage lunchbox snack cake treat, but you don't need to have tried the original to appreciate this version. It's two thin layers of banana cake with a fluffy cream filling.
Apple-Sweet Potato Pecan Dump CakeThis quick cake has lots of delicious apples, sweet potatoes, spices, pecans and caramel. mdash;Kathy Specht, Clinton, Montana
Chocolate Comfort CakeThis moist and delicious chocolate cake is usually the first dessert to go. People even eat the crumbs. It’s always my top choice for holiday dinners. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Double-Layer Cheesecake BarsCan't choose between chocolate and vanilla cheesecake? Have both when you make this bar recipe with two distinct layers. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
Raspberry CakeIndulge in this easy-to-make raspberry cake bursting with fresh raspberry flavor and topped with a luscious whipped raspberry frosting.
Birthday Cake WafflesThese super fun waffles—soft on the inside, crisp on the outside—taste just like cake batter! They are quick to whip up anytime but would make birthday mornings feel even more special. —Andrea Fetting, Franklin, Wisconsin
Cinnamon Pecan BarsI'm a special education teacher and we bake these bars in my life skills class. It 's an easy recipe that my special-needs students have fun preparing. —Jennifer Peters, Adams Center, New York
Hazelnut Cake SquaresWhen one of my daughters is asked to bring a dish to a church function, a birthday party or any special occasion, she asks me for this recipe. It is so easy to prepare because it starts with a cake mix. It doesn't need icing, so it's perfect for bake sales too. —Brenda Melancon, McComb, Mississippi
Pretzel and Salted Caramel Chocolate CookiesSweet meets salty in these shortcut cookies that only require six ingredients.
Apple Pie CupcakesTurn the classic cupcake into a fall favorite with our rendition of apple pie cupcakes. Filled with a sweet apple mixture and topped with cinnamon frosting, these cupcakes taste just like apple pie!
Peanut Butter Caramel BarsWhen my husband and our three sons sit down to dinner, they ask, "What's for dessert?" I have a happy group of guys when I report that these rich bars are on the menu. They're chockfull of yummy ingredients. —Lee Ann Karnowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Chocolate BiscottiEasy chocolate biscotti comes together quickly thanks to boxed cake mix and chocolate syrup, and a drizzle of white chocolate finishes these twice-baked chocolaty treats.
Pear Bundt CakeNext time you make cake from a mix, try my easy and delicious recipe. The pears and syrup add sweet flavor and prevent the cake from drying out. And since there's no oil added to the batter, this tender fall-perfect cake is surprisingly low in fat. —Veronica Ross, Columbia Heights, Minnesota
Irish Creme Chocolate TrifleI was given a bottle of Irish cream liqueur as a gift and had leftover peppermint candy, so I created this delicious trifle. It's always rich and decadent. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California
Cake & Berry Campfire CobblerThis warm Dutch oven cobbler is one of our favorite ways to end a busy day of fishing, hiking, swimming or rafting. It's yummy with ice cream—and so easy to make! —June Dress, Boise, Idaho
Pecan Pumpkin DessertI always make this treat for Thanksgiving. A friend gave me the recipe, and I've since shared it with many others. —Sue Williams, Mount Holly, North Carolina
Caramel Apple CupcakesBring these extra special cupcakes to your next event and watch how quickly they disappear! With a caramel topping and spice cake base, they're the perfect mix of two fall-favorite treats. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Butterscotch Toffee CookiesDecadent and so easy to make, these five-ingredient toffee chip cookies are your next go-to sweet treat.
Oatmeal Cream Pie RecipeWe love foods that remind us of childhood, like the chewy oatmeal cream pies stashed in our lunch boxes on lucky days.
Macadamia Sunshine BarsYour guests will be delighted with my bars. They are packed with nuts and dried fruit. I think that when you take a bite of this treat it’s like a mini-vacation to a Polynesian paradise. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Graham Streusel Coffee CakeI use this sweet coffee cake recipe often. It's quick and easy to make. —Blanche Whytsell, Arnoldsburg, West Virginia
Pumpkin Spice CookiesBake and indulge in these pumpkin spice cookies to celebrate the fall season. The easy recipe uses cake mix for the soft and fluffy cookies.
Minister's DelightA friend gave me this recipe several years ago. She said a local minister's wife fixed it every Sunday, so she named it accordingly. —Mary Ann Potter, Blue Springs, Missouri
Can’t Leave Alone BarsI take these quick and easy treats to church meetings, potlucks and housewarming parties. I often make a double batch so we can enjoy some at home. —Kimberly Biel, Java, South Dakota
Apricot-Pecan Thumbprint CookiesI enjoy experimenting with cake mixes to make new cookie recipes. I love apricot, but feel free to fill the thumbprint in the center of these goodies with any fruit preserve you like. —Nancy Johnson, Laverne, Oklahoma
Cherry Dream CakeI serve this cherry cake for holidays because it's so festive and easy. No one will know your secret is adding a package of cherry gelatin to a boxed cake mix! —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
Easy Cake Mix BarsI take this dessert to work for Friday pick-me-ups. It's one of my favorite yellow cake bar recipes. I love to share them because they're so easy to eat, easy to make and easy on the wallet. —Amy Rose, Ballwin, Missouri
Originally Published: July 23, 2018
