Any brand of cake mix will work just fine in these recipes, as long as the net weight of the mix is the same as that called for in the recipes. Some cake mixes make only a single layer cake; these recipes all call for two-layer cake mixes.
As long as you stick pretty closely to the basic recipe, you can change the flavor of almost all of these desserts. Substitute white chocolate chips for dark chocolate. Add maple flavoring instead of vanilla. Use a different flavor canned pie filling, or a different type of jam or jelly.
And these recipes are really wonderful ways to get your kids in the kitchen; with less mess (hopefully) and a lot of fun. You can even Make Your Own Cake Mix to control what your family is eating. Use 3-1/2 cups of this homemade mix in place of a two layer cake mix.
Make a couple of these recipes for desserts this week. They're a great way to add a special touch to the simplest lunch or dinner.
Cake Mix Recipes
- Chewy Date Snack Bars
These sweet and chewy bar cookies are packed full of dates and walnuts. Substitute chocolate covered raisins for the dates for an unusual treat. - Apple Pie Pizza
A spice cake mix forms the base and the crunchy topping for this fabulous dessert pizza. You can use other varieties of canned pie filling to make this recipe your own. - Creamsicle Cake
Whether you call them Dreamsicles or Creamsicles, that combination of orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream is sublime. This recipe recreates those flavors in an easy dessert. - Butter Cashew Cookies
Salted cashews are a fabulous cookie ingredient. And when paired with brown sugar, chocolate and butterscotch chips and butter, the combination is sublime. - Cake Mix Cookies
Use any flavor combination or add just about any cookie ingredient you like in these super easy cookies. - Candy Bars
Chocolate chips, pecans, sweetened condensed milk; what's not to like in these easy bar cookies? And this recipe uses only five ingredients. - Decadent Chocolate Fudge Cake
I think this is the ultimate 'make over' of chocolate cake mix. This dense, incredibly rich torte is spectacular and perfect for company. - Applesauce Cake
I think this was the original 'low fat' cake recipe, which substitutes applesauce for butter and oil. It makes an excellent snacking cake, perfect for lunchboxes. - Easy Rum Cake
This decadent cake has rum in the batter and is glazed with a rum-laced syrup. It's a good keeper and very popular at parties. - Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies
Cream cheese helps reduce the fat content of these easy, rich cookies. You can frost them if you'd like, or just eat them plain. - Peanut Butter Candy Cookies
These easy and delicious cookies are a total hit with kids. Make some today and tuck them into lunch boxes throughout the week. - Chocolate Cherry Bars
Canned cherry pie filling is the secret ingredient in this simple recipe. The cherries help keep the bars very moist and delicious for days. - Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
This delicious and easy cheesecake uses cake mix for a tender and crunchy base. - Cupcakes in a Flash
Just four ingredients combine to form easy, moist cupcakes with a fruity filling. Sprinkle the top with nuts before baking for a bit of crunch. - Ice Cream Pies
One cake mix makes two pie shells! Keep one in your freezer along with some premium ice cream to make a last minute dessert. - Shortbread Bars
These tender, slightly crisp bars really do start with a cake mix! Substitute chocolate chips or chopped toffee candy bars for the pecans if you'd like. - Crockpot Cherry Cobbler
Can you believe you can make this easy dessert in your slow cooker? Serve it warm with rich vanilla ice cream. - Strawberry Chocolate Trifle
You could substitute raspberries for the strawberries in this elegant dessert, which is a simplified version of tiramisu. - Anise Biscotti
Homemade biscotti, anyone? If you don't care for anise, substitute cinnamon and nutmeg in this easy twice-baked cookie.
