Box cake mixes may feel familiar and simple, but there's a lot of mystery packed into these
small packages. What kind of mistakes have you probably been making? Keep watching to find out
According to a 2013 report from Bon Appetit, Box Cake Mix was first patented in the 1930s by a
Pittsburgh-based molasses company called P. Duff & Sons. While the recipe has changed a bit over
the years, the basic idea of selling convenience by premixing ingredients has only become more
popular with busy consumers, particularly after World War II. However, while the popularity
of box cake mix is based on ease and simplicity, it's a surprisingly complex process. A lot
can go wrong. MASH spoke to baking expert and test kitchen director at Wilton Cake Decorating & Recipes
Elizabeth Nelson, to get the lowdown on making the perfect cake mix cake
According to Nelson, there's one hugely important step to set yourself up for success with a
cake mix. She said, one of the most common mistakes people make is not thoroughly reading the instructions before
getting started. It might sound like a no-brainer, but not being prepared can derail your baking
experience. You don't want to start tearing open packages and mixing batter, only to realize you're
way short on vegetable oil. While reading the instructions is important, that doesn't necessarily
mean that you have to scrap the whole thing if you make a small mistake. As Nelson told Mashed
cake mixes are generally pretty forgiving. The Pioneer Woman thinks so, too
It's so easy to use a cake mix, and really, this cake is so delicious
you won't even know you didn't make the cake from scratch." Other than recipe preparedness, the most important thing to focus on during box cake prep is mixing
time. Box mixes generally include a specific amount of time that the batter needs to be mixed
for best results People tend to simply guess how long they been stirring the batter based on the feel of the batter consistency but that guesstimation might leave a lot of room for error Talking with Mashed Nelson recommended actually using a timer to make sure you not mixing for too long or short of a period of time Precision is also important when it
comes to ingredient quantities. This is another factor you want to avoid ballparking, as adding
the wrong amounts of ingredients can easily throw off the cake's texture and consistency
Instead, Nelson offers this recommendation to home bakers. Carefully check the ingredient
measurements when you are adding the liquid to the cake mix. Brands vary with how much water
oil-slash-butter and eggs are needed, and their instructions can change from time to time
If you do make a slip-up, such as adding too much water to your batter, don't fret
Nelson notes that if you add a few tablespoons of all-purpose flour, it can save your overwatered cake mix batter from disaster
For the ambitious home chef, there are also a few easy ways to kick your boxed cake mix up a notch
Making easy substitutions, like swapping water for more flavorful liquids like buttermilk or coffee
or even adding one more egg than the recipe calls for, can help the cake go from good to great
Adding some additional yummy ingredients, such as a citrusy lemon or lime zest, a little
extra dash of vanilla, or homemade frosting can give the game a