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    You are here Home » Recipes

    Homemade Cake Mix Recipe: Yellow & Chocolate

    Published: Jan 12, 2020 · Modified: Aug 20, 2020 · This post may contain affiliate links. · 29 Comments

    41.8K shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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!

    Homemade Cake Mix

    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!

    Jump to:
    • Gift Idea
    • Gluten Free & Dairy Free
    • How to Make Homemade Cake Mix
    • Printable Labels
    • Recipe
    • More Homemade Mixes
    • Comments

    Homemade Cake Mix in bags

    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

    Yellow Cupcakes

    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!

    Free – Download Now Checkout Added to cart

    Don't forget about this Homemade Pancake Mix too! I love stocking my pantry with chemical-free items!

    Recipe

    Homemade Chocolate & Yellow Cake Mixes

    Amanda@AFewShortCuts.com
    Check out this simple Homemade Cake Mix Recipe for yellow or chocolate cake. Plus FREE Printable Labels. There are bonus gluten free instructions too!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cake mix

    Equipment

    • zip top storage bags
    • bowl

    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 tsp 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 desired
    Keyword cake
    Tried this recipe? Let us know how it was! We love comments!

    Updated in March 2020.

    More Homemade Mixes

    • Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe
    • The Best Homemade Brownie Mix with Free Printable Labels
    • Homemade Pancake Mix Recipe 
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    41.8K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Caroline

      March 12, 2012 at 8:46 pm

      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!

      Reply
    2. Sam

      March 13, 2012 at 3:51 pm

      Thanks for sharing this! So many boxed cake mixes (especially the name-brand ones) contain hydrogenated oil and other ingredients to avoid.

      Reply
    3. Vicky

      April 10, 2012 at 2:19 pm

      This is awesome! I love homemade recipes like this and I can give it as a gift too! Thanks! Do you have more???

      Reply
      • Susan Adams

        July 30, 2020 at 1:34 pm

        I make this all the time now. Fantastic cake recipe. No more boxes.

        Reply
    4. grace

      May 09, 2012 at 5:27 pm

      5 stars
      awesome, thanks!

      Reply
    5. Tammy

      June 01, 2012 at 6:33 pm

      I repin ty......

      Reply
    6. Jennifer Stover

      August 16, 2012 at 12:34 am

      5 stars
      THANK YOU so much for the GF substitutions!! GF is SO expensive and I can bake cheaply again 😀 YAY!

      Reply
      • Susan Adams

        August 21, 2020 at 10:52 am

        If I add a box of chocolate pudding to the mix, is it instant pudding or regular?

        Reply
    7. Kayla

      September 22, 2012 at 10:20 pm

      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?

      Reply
      • Paula Coley

        October 15, 2012 at 3:11 pm

        5 stars
        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!!

        Reply
    8. Diane

      September 28, 2012 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      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! =)

      Reply
    9. Tina

      January 15, 2017 at 11:05 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Amanda @ A Few Short Cuts

        January 16, 2017 at 8:44 am

        Hi Tina,

        At the bottom of the printable recipe in the "notes" it lists the substitution. 🙂

        Have a great day!

        Reply
    10. Tina

      February 04, 2017 at 11:04 pm

      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,

      Reply
      • TRish

        August 26, 2017 at 3:23 pm

        Bob's Red Mill is perfect! if you have a Big Lot's near you, they sell the products for cheap!

        Reply
    11. Megha

      August 13, 2017 at 9:15 pm

      5 stars
      Awesome recipe. How many muffins or cucakes does this make?

      Thanks
      Meg

      Reply
    12. Danna

      January 21, 2018 at 8:51 pm

      Thank you. I'm so tired of spending outrageous amounts of money on prepackaged food that has unhealthy ingredients.

      Reply
    13. Sarah G

      March 07, 2018 at 5:43 pm

      5 stars
      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!!!!!

      Reply
    14. Mirriam

      March 20, 2018 at 1:22 pm

      HI!! Can I use this mix to make round layers for stackable cakes?

      Reply
      • Amanda @ A Few Short Cuts

        March 20, 2018 at 4:19 pm

        of course!

        Reply
    15. Haley

      January 27, 2019 at 12:18 pm

      How long will this mix store in the pantry?

      Reply
      • Amanda @ A Few Short Cuts

        January 27, 2019 at 12:21 pm

        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.

        Reply
    16. Angela Davidson

      August 06, 2019 at 8:02 pm

      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.

      Reply
    17. Wendi

      December 15, 2019 at 3:02 pm

      5 stars
      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?

      Reply
    18. Mary Hofflander

      February 22, 2021 at 3:00 pm

      Thank you fo the cake recipes. I do this all the time with my bread recipes. But never thought to do with cakes

      Reply
    19. Michele

      April 02, 2021 at 1:21 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    20. Natalie

      July 26, 2021 at 10:13 am

      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

      Reply
    21. Linda

      August 29, 2021 at 4:32 pm

      Is there a way to make this into a German Chocolate Cake?

      Reply
      • Amanda Carlisle

        August 30, 2021 at 8:24 am

        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.

        Reply

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