Today I'm sharing my favorite semi-homemade cake mix recipes. I've been making some of these for over 20 years, and they haven't failed me yet! Below are simple tasty ways to use a boxed cake mix for a scrumptious dessert.
Simple cake mix recipes are easy and inexpensive, and you can make them in many delicious flavors. Using a boxed cake mix as the base of these quick muffins and sweet breads makes these no-fail recipes.
The prep. time for most of these recipes is usually only 5 minutes. The muffins take about 18 minutes to bake. So, from the time you think about making one of these muffins included in this cake mix recipe collection until they are devoured, it's less than 30 minutes. The cakes and breads take a few minutes longer because of the baking time.
1. 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins
Stock up on some boxes of spiced cake mix and 100% pure pumpkin purée so you can make this anytime! These are super delicious and one of the most popular muffin recipes on my site.
Why I love these
These simple pumpkin spice muffins are my go-to no-fail muffins. They are perfect when fall rolls around and you have that craving for something pumpkin spice flavored. They have earned their place as a year-round staple at my house. The flavor is delicious, and the texture of these muffins, with only two ingredients, is perfect.
Why you should make them
They are perfect for so many occasions. I used to make these muffins for my teen boys over 10 years ago when their friends came over. Everyone loved them, and the pumpkin in them makes these both satisfying and filling.
I've made these for my friends and no one knew they were a simple cake mix muffin until I told them. Can I tell you how good your home smells when these are baking? Just let everyone think you worked long and hard making these!
This recipe has been in the top 5 recipes of my site for over 12 years!
2. Three Ingredient Chocolate Banana Muffins
Who else loves the combination of chocolate and banana flavors? They go together perfectly and are a delicious baked treat. Like the two-ingredient pumpkin muffins, they also only take 5 minutes to make and about 18 minutes to bake. So that's 23 minutes to make - definitely an under 30-minute recipe from start to finish!
Why I love these
There is no more perfect way to use up the over-ripe bananas sitting on your counter. You can turn those bananas into delicious chocolate and banana-flavored muffins. The bananas and yellow cake mix are inexpensive items and the only other ingredient you need are eggs.
Why you should make these
Make these muffins purely because they taste good! The fact that they are easy to make, smell good while baking and inexpensive are only bonuses in this case. Plus, the biggest bonus is you don't waste those excess bananas : ).
3. Three Ingredient Peach Cobbler
This recipe has been the most popular recipe on my site for over 5 years! And I have hundreds of recipes. Why this recipe? Because it tastes good! This peach cobbler recipe made with cake mix is EASY to make. A delicious recipe that is simple to make is what everyone needs to have in their back pocket, ready to make at a moment's notice.
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Why I love this recipe
The delicious peach flavor permeates every bite. When peaches are in season late in the summer, this is the recipe to share with friends and family! Add a scoop of ice cream and it's the perfect dessert for your summer get-together. The bonus is this recipe is easily a year round recipe because it uses canned peaches. As much as I love fresh peaches, peeling them isn't one of my favorite chores.
Why you should make these
If you like peaches, you will enjoy this recipe! It is such an easy recipe to make and just tastes delicious. Because you use canned peaches, you can make this any time! The peaches and cake mix are pantry staples and I stock up when they are on sale. After making this, you will too!While you are shopping, grab some vanilla ice cream. Just when you think you can't make this taste any better, the vanilla ice cream comes out.
4. Three Ingredient Apple Spice Cake
Apples baked into a cake with apple pie spices are often just the perfect dessert. Heck, sometimes this is lunch. We all have those days.
This is a newer recipe on my site and it quickly jumped up to the top. Who doesn't like an easy apple cake? This is a simple three-ingredient recipe using apple pie apples from a can. And a cake mix.
If someone is reading this and wants to make an apple dessert from scratch, go take a look at this Easy Apple Bar recipe. It's a made from scratch recipe. The rest of us will keep reading about these delicious easy recipes using cake mix.
Why I love this recipe
Apples and the cinnamon flavor so reminiscent of apple pie spice, makes this a favorite recipe of mine. It's a warm, delicious smell everyone loves. The smell increases the anticipation of the first bite. And the fact that this is a super easy using cake mix, pie filling, and eggs, makes this an anytime recipe.
Why you should make this
This dessert is delicious, moist, and easy to make. It's quick too! Prep time is less than 5 minutes. It smells like apple pie when it's baking. Who doesn't love that!?
5. Three Ingredient Cake Mix Banana Muffins
Did I get you thinking banana muffins, but you aren't sure about making chocolate banana muffins? These are delicious and moist banana muffins without chocolate.
Why I love these
These are just simple little banana muffins. They aren't fancy, but I think that's why I love them. They are a super easy way to use up extra bananas and that always feels like it adds a little healthy to a baked treat. These are perfect when you need to grab breakfast to go, when you are packing kid's lunches, or anytime you just need a little something delicious but not overly decadent.
Why you should make these
These banana muffins are perfect to have around when you need to either take along or send along a delicious but super easy breakfast or snack. They are perfect, especially when you have active kids, and your family is always on the go.
6. Three Ingredient Banana Bread
Sometimes making homemade banana bread is what you want to do. Other times, it's great that we have easier options. I've been making the easy cake mix banana muffins for years, and the question I have been receiving the most is how to make banana bread that's just as easy as those muffins. I did the figuring out for you!
Why I love this
Honestly, there is nothing I love more in the morning than a big mug of coffee. A slice of banana bread elevates my morning! Surprisingly, this is a banana bread recipe made with yellow cake mix. It was so easy and fast to make and does reward you with the delicious banana flavor. The slices aren't as convenient as the muffins, but it's worth the work wrapping them up to take with you as you or yours head out the door.
Why you should make this
If you like banana bread, this is easier, faster, and full of banana flavor at a fraction of the work. It's another recipe that lets you use up bananas that would otherwise go to waste. Or, they would collect in your freezer and seem to multiply. Use up your extra ripe bananas and make this 3 ingredient banana bread!
7. Pumpkin Pudding Dump Cake
This pumpkin pudding dump cake is so moist. And rightfully so, with the addition of a package of pudding. This recipe has a total of 4 ingredients. It is really simple to make and uses pantry items. I share a tip on how to make this glaze. The glaze adds a little more yum to an already delicious cake.
Why I love this
This dessert is elevated with the delicious glaze drizzled over it. The pudding cake and the glaze are both simple to make. This tastes like pumpkin and is nice and moist. It's quick to make, too!
Why you should make this recipe
You and anyone you serve this to will love it! This should be the recipe that you don't tell people that you used a cake mix as the base. The pumpkin spice flavor is on point.
You can feel good about the 8oz of pure pumpkin purée in there. You know, for that little bit of healthy we all need.
8. Strawberry Upside Down Cake
Even though these recipes are considered easy, I do test them and adjust how they are made. This recipe uses fresh strawberries. I LOVE fresh strawberries and I'm not a fan of the canned ones. Because of my love of strawberries, I used A LOT during my first recipe test. I'll just strongly recommend you stick to the amount of strawberries in this recipe. Don't go overboard.
Why I love this recipe
This recipe is made with fresh strawberries! I tend to buy too many when they are in season. Then I have to use them up because they just don't last that long. This is a great way to use some fresh berries, and it is such a fresh and deliciousdessert. This is easy and does not take much time to make.
Why you should make this recipe
This is definitely a guest-worthy dessert. It looks good, it tastes good and it is easy to make. Yes, there is a boxed cake mix to help make this a simple recipe. Using fresh strawberries elevates this recipe. Even your family will feel special when you share this with them.
9. Three Ingredient Berry Cobbler
This berry cobbler came into being when I had frozen blueberries that needed to be used up. Yeah, I'm not falling for the need for frozen fruit for smoothies again.
Fresh strawberries and frozen blueberries are used for the bottom fruit layer. What I love about making fruit cobblers is you can use fresh, frozen or even canned fruit. I have recipes for them all!
Why I like this cobbler
This cobbler is easy to make and was a little experiment. I can conclusively tell you that you can use fresh and frozen berries together. And no one will know you used frozen blueberries. I loved how, with this recipe, you can use what you have, reducing food waste and creating something delicious!
Why you should make this
Do you have frozen berries in your freezer? Did someone convince you to buy them, but you bought the Costco size?? This is a great way to use them. Easy, inexpensive, but totally delicious! A little bit of whipped cream or some ice cream would be great on this when serving.
10. Two Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies
These are little morsels of pumpkin spice goodness. I'm not sure if cookies is the right term for them. They are called pumpkin quickies because of how easy and fast they are to make. I call them cookies because that's the closest description to what they are. They are a two-bite treat bursting with flavor. If you are looking for something that is "just a bite" sized, this is it!
Why I love these
Sometimes, you want to have something that is just a small portion but filled with delicious flavor. These little quickie pumpkin treats are a punch of flavor in a two-bite size. Perfect for you or a family member who may need a snack that isn't too filling. Why do toddlers get so hungry ½ hour before dinner??
Why should I make these
You'll enjoy the pumpkin spice flavor of these pumpkin cookies. This is a cookie from a cake mix recipe. It's easy to make, and you may already have what you need at home. Plus, the size is cute and convenient. I really encourage you to try these - you'll be happy you did!
11. Easy Chocolate Zucchini muffin
Since we are talking about using up produce, how about that zucchini plant that seems to grow a never-ending amount of zucchini? My neighbors asked me to stop giving them to them - lol. I have figured out a super easy muffin that uses up the zucchini, and you can't even taste the zucchini! I promise! Because who really loves the taste of zucchini?
Why I love these
These super easy zucchini muffins taste like chocolate. And there are 2 full cups of healthy zucchini in there. It might take you 6 minutes to put this recipe together because you do need to grate the zucchini. These bake in about 20 minutes. In 30 minutes, you have time to make the muffins, and you also have time to wash the bowl and muffin tin! A delicious treat was made and the kitchen was cleaned up in less than ½ hour. Think about that!
Why you should make these
Make them because of all the reasons I love making them. Most importantly, it's how to use up a good amount of zucchini. Let me share this important fact with you. Neighbors and friends get way more excited about chocolate muffins than fresh zucchini. It's a good thing these are quick and easy to make.
12. Easy Cherry Bars
This simple cherry dessert recipe looks like it's hard to make. But it isn't! These cherry bars are a feast for the eyes and taste wonderful. This is a recipe that I've been making for over 14 years (before I started blogging). It's still a favorite recipe of mine.
Why I love making these easy bars
These hit the spot when you have a cherry craving. My son loves cherry desserts and I don't make pies. This is easier and just as delicious. I tell you how I make drizzle for the top too. Or you can just use the shortcut I shared in the pumpkin pudding dump cake recipe.
Why you should make these
This is a simple and pretty dessert to make. People are impressed when they see it. This recipe is made on a half-sheet pan (13" x 18"). You get a lot of servings with this so it's a great dessert to bring along. And it's not what everyone else brings. The taste will not disappoint. Be the rebel, bring something different.
13. Pumpkin chocolate, chocolate chip muffins
These are the most chocolate-flavored muffins on my site. It starts with a chocolate cake mix and we even add some chocolate chips. How's that for chocolate? This is the recipe with extra chocolate so that picky kid in your family doesn't taste the healthy pumpkin puree you are trying to use up.
Why I love this
I'm a chocolate fan. And I try to eat healthier than I used to. This recipe has a whole can of pure pumpkin puree in it. That would make this muffin high fiber and filled with vitamins. When my kids were younger, they were happy to eat these, not knowing that some healthy pumpkin was hiding in there.
Why you should make this
Did you see it's chocolate with chocolate chips? Aside from being delicious and having some healthy pumpkin in it, this recipe is easy. And it's quick. It takes 5 minutes to put the three ingredients together, and divide it into 12 muffin wells. The baking time is only around 18 minutes! Yes, this is less than 30 minutes to make.
14. Three Ingredient Blueberry Yogurt Muffins
I know what you're thinking. This recipe has three ingredients and you mention yogurt and blueberries in the title. That's two ingredients already. Since this is a compilation of cake mix recipes, it seems logical that the third ingredient is a cake mix. What you may not know is how well these three ingredients work together. This is my go-to recipe when I need to use up some yogurt and find blueberries in the freezer.
Why I love these
You can really taste the blueberries in these muffins! And, I also know I'm eating a bit of yogurt too. I do tell myself they are healthy when I'm eating them. It's a great way to sneak some healthy ingredients into a picky eater's snack. Just don't ever tell them you do that.
Why you will love these
The blueberries make everyone enjoy them. It's more than just a couple per muffin! Plus, this is a super easy recipe, and it will take you about 30 minutes to mix, bake and do the dishes. The only evidence you made these will be the delicious smell of baked blueberry muffins.
Pumpkin Nutella Muffins
My family has always loved that chocolate and hazelnut spread known as Nutella. Years ago, I was making my favorite easy pumpkin muffins. We had a craving so these pumpkin Nutella muffins were born. They are so easy to make and the chocolate and nutty spread brings these muffins to a whole new level.
Why I really enjoy these
Do you see the swirled goodness of the chocolate hazelnut spread in these muffins? It makes them taste divine. Not only do they taste fantastic, they are quick and easy to make. The base muffins themselves are only two ingredients. Then we swirl in the Nutella. Quick. Easy. Delicious.
Why you'll enjoy these
In less than 30 minutes you will go from thinking about making these to having a dozen beautiful and delicious muffins. The chocolate hazelnut flavor and the spiced pumpkin takes these muffins to the next level. You will be impressed with how easy something this delicious is to make!
Summary
I hope you have enjoyed these favorite cake mix recipes all in one place.
Healthier Muffins & Easy Desserts: Swapping Oil for Fruits and Veggies
All of these muffins and desserts have one thing in common. They all do NOT have any of the recommended oil added that is stated on the back of the cake mix box. Instead, we are substituting items like pumpkin, applesauce and bananas. It does help make these lower in fat and a little healthier because of that.
Expert Tips
Although these are all simple recipes, follow these baking basics.
- Have your ingredients at room temperature
- Prepare your ingredients so everything can be quickly assembled.
- Mix your ingredients until they are just well incorporated. If you mix them too much, the muffins can become dense and fail to rise.
If you love these cake mix recipes, here are just a few more!
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