Need a cake mix but don't want to run to the store? Check out this simple Homemade Cake Mix Recipe for yellow or chocolate cake. Plus FREE Printable Labels. There are bonus gluten-free instructions too!
I am that mom who has the best ideas and plans. Then they all fall through when I walk to my pantry to see that I am out of one or two of the ingredients that I need to pull off a masterpiece. I don’t know if you have ever put three kids in the car, buckled them in their car seats, and drove to the store for 1 item, but that is not my idea of fun. That is where this Homemade Cake Mix comes in handy!
Gift Idea
These Cake Mixes are easy to make, and they are also great to give as gifts with the recipe. Make a gift basket with a couple of DIY Cake Mixes, a new cake pan, dish towels, sprinkles, and a wooden spoon, and you have a great gift for anyone!
Gluten Free & Dairy Free
I also how easy it is to make this gluten-free or dairy-free! Those Gluten Free Cake Mixes can be so expensive, and half of them don't taste that good. Follow the instructions to make this into a gluten-free cake mix, and you won't be disappointed.
There are straight forward substitutions.
- gluten free: You are going to use your favorite gluten free flour. Also, you will want to add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum.
- dairy free: Substitute your favorite dairy free milk. I like using coconut milk.
How to Make Homemade Cake Mix
It truly doesn't get much easier! Just measure and mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl, or even directly in a zip top bag. Label so you know the contents. There are free printable labels below with the instructions on how to turn your cake mix into a cake.
Printable Labels
You can go now and print these FREE Labels. There are 2 to a sheet. That way you can label your homemade cake mixes with directions!
Don't forget about this Homemade Pancake Mix too! I love stocking my pantry with chemical-free items!
Recipe
Homemade Chocolate & Yellow Cake Mixes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Cups All purpose Flour
- 1 ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon Baking Powder
- ½ cup cocoa Powder for chocolate only
To Mix Cake Batter
- ¾ cup Milk or milk substitute
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup butter or margarine
- 3 eggs
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients and store in an airtight container or baggie. Keeps well in the pantry for up to 6 months.
- Above recipe makes one cake mix equivalent to a 18.5 oz boxed mix.
To Make Cake
- Mix cake mix with ¾ cup milk or milk substitute, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ½ cup butter or margarine, and 3 eggs. Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes and Bake at 350 F.
Baking Times
- To bake a 8-9 inch round pan 20-25 mins
- To Bake 13x9 pan 35-40 mins
- To bake cupcakes- 12-15 mins
- To bake Tube or Bundt Pan 45-50 mins
Notes
Gluten Free
Substitute the 2 cups gluten free all purpose flour mix for the all purpose flour.Dairy Free
Use almond milk or other milk substitute and dairy free margarine or vegetable oil.Chocolate Cake
For an even richer chocolate cake you can add in a box of chocolate pudding mix and ½ cup of chocolate chips if desiredUpdated in March 2020.
Caroline
OMG, this is going at the top of my bookmarks! I was just thinking about the dessert I'm planning to take to school on Friday and then thought that I better check the pantry for a cake mix. Now it doesn't matter because I can just make one! Thanks so much!
Sam
Thanks for sharing this! So many boxed cake mixes (especially the name-brand ones) contain hydrogenated oil and other ingredients to avoid.
Vicky
This is awesome! I love homemade recipes like this and I can give it as a gift too! Thanks! Do you have more???
Susan Adams
I make this all the time now. Fantastic cake recipe. No more boxes.
grace
awesome, thanks!
Tammy
I repin ty......
Jennifer Stover
THANK YOU so much for the GF substitutions!! GF is SO expensive and I can bake cheaply again 😀 YAY!
Susan Adams
If I add a box of chocolate pudding to the mix, is it instant pudding or regular?
Kayla
I love the recipe but when I make them as cupcakes they are dry. I am wondering what I can do to change this. I've added more milk, changing to heavy whipping cream, and still nothing. Any thoughts?
Paula Coley
Hi Kayla,
I would assume you over-baked them. Everyone's oven is different. Add to that the altitude of where you live and baking times need to be adjusted. I always need to reduce my baking temp. or time in order for recipes to come out right. Try adjusting either your baking time or temperature and see if that helps 😉 I'm considered the scratch queen when it comes to cooking and baking. I almost never purchase prepackaged foods and consistently cook from scratch. This recipe is spot on!!
Diane
Forgot I had to make a cake for a friends birthday. Looked in the kitchen and realized we didnt have a cake mix. I found this and made it...it is the most delicious homemade cake mix ever. It is also SUPER easy! I would totally recommend making this! =)
Tina
Thank you for the recipe?. Feel dilly, I don't see the GF recipe.....am I over looking it? Thank you again and blessings, Tina
Amanda @ A Few Short Cuts
Hi Tina,
At the bottom of the printable recipe in the "notes" it lists the substitution. 🙂
Have a great day!
Tina
Thank you. I don't see what Gluten free all purpose mix you use? I'm wanting to make a mix I can use for GF cookies and cakes. Thank you for all your help,
TRish
Bob's Red Mill is perfect! if you have a Big Lot's near you, they sell the products for cheap!
Megha
Awesome recipe. How many muffins or cucakes does this make?
Thanks
Meg
Danna
Thank you. I'm so tired of spending outrageous amounts of money on prepackaged food that has unhealthy ingredients.
Sarah G
THANK YOU for sharing this!!! I found your recipe link on Pinterest. It's my birthday today and I can't have pre-made store bought cakes or cake mixes. I can not eat enriched flour and sugar (except agave, maple sugar & Stevia). And was looking for a recipe I could modify. I will be substituting either agave, or maple sugar for the regular sugar, and will substitute Carob powder for the cocoa powder, and will be using not enriched not bleached flour. I can't wait to make this cake for my birthday!!!!!
Mirriam
HI!! Can I use this mix to make round layers for stackable cakes?
Amanda @ A Few Short Cuts
of course!
Haley
How long will this mix store in the pantry?
Amanda @ A Few Short Cuts
Hey Haley,
It depends on the freshness of the ingredients you use. Since everything in this mix is non-perishable should be safe for at least 1 year. Again, if everything you used has a good code date. Hope that helps.
Angela Davidson
Thanks for the recipe. I’m about to move to Australia and their cake mixes are soooo different than in the USA. If you do luck into finding one like ours, it’s about $5!! I’m going to make a few of these at a time to keep on hand.
Wendi
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I like to only cook from scratch, and having a homemade mix might encourage to bake a little more often.
I couldn't tell by the directions, is the butter melted or just softened?
Mary Hofflander
Thank you fo the cake recipes. I do this all the time with my bread recipes. But never thought to do with cakes
Michele
I absolutely love this cake recipe!! I’ve made it twice in 1 week 😋 It’s my family’s favorite & it’s so easy to make!
Natalie
Thanks a ton. There are so many recipes out there that call you to use a box cake mix to make something other than a cake. I am using this to make oatmeal crumble bars. Just use dry cake mix with 1.5 sticks butter and 2.5 cups quick oats and mix until crumbly. Press half into 9x13 pan, then one can of pie filling and then sprinkle rest of dry mix on top. Bake at 375 18-22 minutes. So good
Linda
Is there a way to make this into a German Chocolate Cake?
Amanda Carlisle
Honestly, German Chocolate Cake is named for its toppings. There really isn't a difference in the cake itself. Its main trait is coconut pecan frosting.