From caramel cookies to gooey bars and apple pie cupcakes, these easy recipes using cake mix turn a basic boxed mix into something unforgettable.
1/64
Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
When my family is planning a get-together, I can count on three or four people to ask if I'm bringing this dessert. If you don't have a chocolate cake mix, use a white or yellow one and stir in 3 tablespoons baking cocoa. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Love easy-to-fix cake mix recipes? You’ll adore these cake mix recipes made with pudding.
2/64
Blueberry Lemon Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I always set aside some of my fresh-picked blueberries to make this quick and easy dessert. Lemon flavor sparks the fruit layer and the tender cake. —Leona Luecking, West Burlington, Iowa
3/64
Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother-in-law loves chocolate-covered cherries, and I used to make this chocolate cherry dump cake every year for her birthday. Now we've moved away, but I make this for my kids on her birthday and they still feel near her. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
4/64
Red Velvet Jar Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to make these red velvet jar cakes for friends, family and teachers. Red velvet is my favorite during the holidays, but you can use any cake and frosting flavors you like. Then dress up the jars with homemade labels and ribbons for gifting. Don't forget to tie a spoon to the jar; everyone likes to dig right in! —Lillie Collier, Mobile, Alabama
5/64
Pumpkin Spice Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
We 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
6/64
Pistachio Bread
From the Recipe Creator:
I love making many of these special loaves to give away for the holidays. The loaves also freeze well, so one is easy to pull out for unexpected guests. —Judy Fischer, Green Bay, Wisconsin
7/64
Birthday Cake Fudge
From the Recipe Creator:
This decadent treat is the perfect sweet to make your birthday special. Or, prepare it ahead and package it as a surprise gift for a friend. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
8/64
Rhubarb Custard Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Rhubarb 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
9/64
Angel Food Cake Roll
From the Recipe Creator:
There's always room for dessert—especially when it's this eye-catching angel food cake roll. We like strawberry yogurt in the filling, but other flavors work well too. —Joan Colbert, Sigourney, Iowa
10/64
Pineapple Pudding Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
My 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
11/64
Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
From the Recipe Creator:
Turn a box of red velvet cake mix into this easy dessert—or breakfast! The icing tastes good and makes a pretty contrast with the rolls. —Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas
12/64
Slow-Cooker Spumoni Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I 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
13/64
Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
It 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
14/64
Margarita Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This margarita cake is perfect for a picnic on a warm day. You'll be surprised at how closely it tastes like the real thing. —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
15/64
Slow-Cooker Dump Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
No matter the season, this dump cake recipe is wonderful! It works well with gluten-free and sugar-free cake mixes too. —Karin Gatewood, Josephine, Texas
16/64
Funfetti Pancakes
From the Recipe Creator:
For my kids' birthdays, I like to make these cake mix pancakes. Frosting and more sprinkles seal the deal! —Dina Crowell, Fredericksburg, Virginia
17/64
Black Forest Upside-Down Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
The 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
18/64
Lemon Dump Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This easy dessert pairs the juicy, tart flavor of citrus with a silky, rich cream cheese filling. It can get tossed together in 10 minutes or less and baked and ready to devour in under an hour! If you love lemon and cream cheese, this dump cake is just the ticket. —Lee LaRosa, Hammonton, New Jersey
19/64
Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe based on our family’s love of chocolate-dipped ice cream cones. Red heart-shaped sprinkles make them fun for Valentine’s Day. Vary the color to match the occasion. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
20/64
Giant Buckeye Cookie
From the Recipe Creator:
I’m from Ohio, and we love our buckeye candy! Buckeyes are a delicious combination of peanut butter and chocolate, which is exactly what this cookie is. All you need is a box of cake mix, a few common pantry ingredients, and voila—you have a tasty dessert ready for family and friends in under an hour. You can customize it, too, by substituting other mix-ins for the chocolate chips. We serve it warm with ice cream or whipped cream. —Arianna Harding, Cincinnati, Ohio
21/64
Strawberry Brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
These strawberry brownies are actually more like blondies, since they don't call for cocoa powder. Instead, this recipe uses strawberry cake mix and white chocolate chips to create vibrant and sweet bars for berry lovers. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
22/64
Rhubarb Dump Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Just a handful of ingredients come together to make this easy-to-assemble dessert that’s perfect for rhubarb season. The rhubarb provides that tangy, tart bite, while the strawberry Jell-O and white cake mix give a sweet, buttery balance. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
23/64
Double Butterscotch Coconut Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this recipe for coconut cake from a co-worker years ago, then I changed it up a bit by adding a family favorite: butterscotch. It’s super easy to throw together and it makes a perfect accompaniment to coffee or tea. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
24/64
Strawberry-Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I prepare this colorful dessert quite often in the late spring or summer when fresh rhubarb is abundant. I make this rhubarb cake with cake mix and take it to church potlucks. People actually line up for a piece. —Bonnie Krogman, Thompson Falls, Montana
25/64
Pressure-Cooker Chocolate-Apricot Dump Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Years 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 a white cake mix and blueberry pie filling. It is best served warm with ice cream or whipped cream. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
26/64
Pumpkin Muffins with Cake Mix
From the Recipe Creator:
Made 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
27/64
Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy, cakey, sweet-tart dessert is wonderfully easy to assemble and always a crowd-pleaser. Spoon it into bowls while it's still warm and dollop each serving with whipped cream. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
28/64
Berry Dream Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I 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
29/64
Red Velvet Cake Balls
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone loves red velvet, but any cake mix can work here. I've even rolled chopped macadamia nuts into pineapple cake and dipped them into white chocolate. Whatever you do, have fun! —Anne Powers, Munford, Alabama
30/64
Pecan Coffee Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
My 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
31/64
Banana Flip Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a recipe that will bring back memories of your childhood. Banana flip snack cakes taste just like the banana flips we used to eat when we were kids. —Berta Hagen, International Falls, Minnesota
32/64
Blackberry Dump Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
How can a recipe so effortless turn out so indulgent? That's the beauty of this dump cake, which becomes cobbler-like in the oven. It's rich with sweet, juicy blackberries and a crisp, caramelized topping. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
33/64
Apple-Sweet Potato Pecan Dump Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This quick cake has lots of delicious apples, sweet potatoes, spices, pecans and caramel. —Kathy Specht, Clinton, Montana
34/64
Raspberry Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Jazz up plain cake with raspberry gelatin and frozen berries. Spread with a light, fruity whipped topping (or this whipped topping substitute), the festive results make a cool and refreshing dessert. —Marion Anderson, Dalton, Minnesota
35/64
Waffle Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
These 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
36/64
Cinnamon Pecan Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
I'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
37/64
Hazelnut Cake Squares
From the Recipe Creator:
When 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
38/64
Butterfinger Cookie Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
My boys went through a phase where they loved Butterfingers. We made Butterfinger shakes, muffins, cookies and experimented with different bars; this one was voted the best of the bunch. Make sure you have an extra candy bar on hand because it’s hard to resist a nibble or two while you’re chopping. —Barbara Leighty, Simi Valley, California
39/64
Apple Pie Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
These apple pie cupcakes are always a hit! They are so easy to make and the flavor just screams fall. Of course, they're equally delicious any other time of year. —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
40/64
Peanut Butter Caramel Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
When 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 chock-full of yummy ingredients. —Lee Ann Karnowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
41/64
Chocolate Biscotti
From the Recipe Creator:
These white chocolate-drizzled cookies are a cinch to make, so I’m happy to whip up a batch any time. My neighbors always look forward to them! —Ginger Chatfield, Muscatine, Iowa
42/64
Pear Bundt Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Next 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
43/64
Lemon Snowflakes
From the Recipe Creator:
You’ll need just four ingredients to make these delightful lemon snowflake cookies. Confectioners’ sugar highlights the cracked tops to give them their snowflake appearance. —Linda Barry, Dianna, Texas
44/64
Irish Creme Chocolate Trifle
From the Recipe Creator:
I 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
45/64
Cake & Berry Campfire Cobbler
From the Recipe Creator:
This 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
46/64
Pecan Pumpkin Dessert
From the Recipe Creator:
I 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
47/64
Caramel Apple Cupcakes
From the Recipe Creator:
Bring 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 favorite fall treats. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
48/64
Lemon Angel Cake Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
A neighbor gave me this recipe years ago and it's been in flavor rotation ever since. It can be made ahead and serves a bunch, so it's perfect for parties and potlucks. —Marina Castle, Canyon Country, California
49/64
Butterscotch Toffee Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
With its big butterscotch and chocolate flavor, my cookie stands out. I like to enjoy it with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. It’s my fallback recipe when I’m short on time and need something delicious fast. —Allie Blinder, Norcross, Georgia
50/64
Cranberry Layer Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I adapted a Bundt cake recipe to create this layer cake. Cranberries, walnuts and homemade frosting make it taste so delicious that you'd never guess it starts with a convenient cake mix. —Sandy Burkett, Galena, Ohio
51/64
Pina Colada Tube Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
We named this a “pina colada” cake because it has coconut, pineapple and rum. It’s a soothing finish at the end of a big spread. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
52/64
Caramel Nut Breakfast Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I first tasted this incredible coffee cake when a kind neighbor brought it by. It was so good that my brother-in-law tried hiding it from us so he wouldn’t have to share. —Arlene Isaac, Crooked Creek, Alberta
53/64
Oatmeal Cream Pie Recipe
From the Recipe Creator:
These easy cookies use only five ingredients and taste very similar to a store-bought cookie. Of course, everything's better from your own kitchen! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
54/64
Macadamia Sunshine Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
Your guests will be delighted with these bars. They are packed with nuts and dried fruit. When you take a bite of this treat, it’s like a mini vacation to a Polynesian paradise. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
55/64
German Chocolate Tres Leches Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I first tried tres leches cake while I was in Ecuador several years ago. Since then, I’ve changed it up by adding some of my favorite ingredients, namely chocolate and coconut. This version also has a splash of rum for an adults-only treat. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
56/64
Pumpkin Spice Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These big, soft spice cookies created by our staff have a sweet frosting that makes them an extra-special treat. Enjoy! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
57/64
Minister's Delight
From the Recipe Creator:
A 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
58/64
Cake Mix Cookie Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
I take these quick and easy treats to church meetings, potlucks and housewarming parties. Often I even make a double batch so we can enjoy some at home. —Kimberly Biel, Java, South Dakota
59/64
Apricot-Pecan Thumbprint Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
To make new cookie recipes, I enjoy experimenting with cake mixes. 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
60/64
Peppermint Patty Sandwich Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
At my annual holiday party, these cookies are a big hit with everyone, especially when I mix festive food coloring or crushed candy canes into the filling. —Amy Martin, Vancouver, Washington
61/64
Cherry Poke Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I 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
62/64
Giant Spice Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I heard this cookie recipe over the radio in about 1950—shortly after my husband and I married. The big spicy treats are so nice and chewy, they remain my favorite to this day. —Sandy Pyeatt, Tacoma, Washington
63/64
Root Beer Float Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
I add root beer to both the cake batter and the fluffy frosting of this summery dessert to get that great root beer float taste. Serve this moist cake to a bunch of hungry kids and watch it disappear! —Kat Thompson, Prineville, Oregon
64/64
Cake Mix Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
I 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
Recipes Using Cake Mix FAQ
Can I use cake mix to make cookies?
Yes, cake mix is a handy shortcut for soft, chewy cookies with crisp edges. Mix one box of cake mix with two eggs and about 1/2 cup of oil or melted butter to form a soft dough. The texture is lighter than basic cookie dough but holds up well with add-ins like chopped candy, crushed pretzels or toffee bits. For neater edges and less spread, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. These cookies are great for bake sales, lunchboxes or quick weeknight treats.
What are some no-bake recipes with cake mix?
You can use cake mix to make easy no-bake treats like cake batter truffles, dessert dips and layered bars. Just heat the dry mix first, then blend it with creamy ingredients like whipped topping, sweetened condensed milk or cream cheese. The result is soft, sweet and full of cake flavor—perfect for warm days or when you want something quick without turning on the oven. You can shape the mixture into bite-sized truffles, spread it into bars, or turn it into a dip with cookies or fruit for scooping. These desserts store well in the fridge and are easy to customize with extracts, crushed candy or a swirl of jam.
How should I store desserts made from cake mix?
Most cake mix desserts keep well at room temperature for a couple of days if stored in an airtight container. Treats with perishable fillings like cream cheese, whipped topping or fresh fruit should be refrigerated and are best eaten within five days. Bars and cakes with no frosting also freeze well when wrapped tightly, using the same approach you would for freezing cakes and cupcakes. If you’re stacking cookies or bars, add parchment between layers to prevent sticking.
