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Home » Desserts » Homemade Yellow Cake Mix

Homemade Yellow Cake Mix

Posted by: Kate / Baking Basics, Cake Recipes, Desserts / Posted: 10/23/20 / Last updated: 10/23/20

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Homemade Yellow Cake Mix is a simple, 5 minute recipe that lets you make a cake mix to take the place of boxed cake mix. Includes three variations to make additional cake mix flavors.

Three jars of homemade cake mix on a wooden cutting board.

When I started baking, I used cake mixes to make quick desserts. Then, I began to doctor the cake mixes to make fancier desserts that were still quick and easy to make.

I have a number of recipes that I really like that use a cake mix either for the base or the topping in the recipe. I like to make up a batch of this homemade yellow cake mix so that I can quickly grab the mix and whip up delicious treats like sweet cornbread.

This homemade yellow cake mix takes just minutes to make, and I've included three variations so that you can customize it to your liking. However, the possibilities for the flavor combinations are nearly endless!

How to make homemade yellow cake mix

Glass bowl with mixed dry ingredients in it.

To make the mix: In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together until well-combined.

Mixed cake mix in a glass mixing bowl

Add the shortening and vanilla. Use an electric mixer on low speed to mix everything together. The mixture will be in small crumbs once combined.

Store the cake mix in a large resealable bag or large glass jar with a tight-fitting lid in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.

Tips 

  • Butter: I don't recommend substituting butter for the shortening in this recipe.
  • Milk: You can use any dairy milk from skim milk to whole milk. Nondairy milk, like almond milk, will also work in this recipe.
  • Vegetable oil: A similar oil, like canola oil, will work in this recipe.

Homemade confetti cake mix in a glass jar.Variations

This cake mix is a great starting point for all sorts of variations. I've given ways to change the recipe up below, but you can add all kinds of add-ins and flavorings to make any number of different cake flavors.

  • Spice cake: Add 1.5 tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice to the flour.
  • Confetti cake: Add 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles to the finished cake mix.
  • Almond cake: Decrease the vanilla to 1/2 teaspoon. Add 1 teaspoon almond extract along with the vanilla.

Uses

I like to use this mix either to make a quick yellow cake, or I use the mix in place of a box of cake mix in recipe. I've linked to three cake recipes just below where this cake mix could stand in for a box of cake mix.

Three jars of homemade cake mix with lids onStorage

I prefer to store the cake mix in a large mason jar with a tight-fitting lid. I write the type of cake and the amounts of the ingredients that I need to bake the cake right on the lid of the jar.

You can also store the cake mix in large, resealable bag. I recommend writing the ingredients/instructions on the bag for finishing the cake.

Either way, the finished mix should be stored in a cool, dry place, and it can be kept for up to 3 months.

Recipes that use a cake mix!

  • Pumpkin Spice Cake
  • White Raspberry Poke Cake
  • Irish Cream Bundt Cake
  • Sweet Cornbread

If you’ve tried this homemade yellow cake mix recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

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Homemade Yellow Cake Mix

Easy homemade yellow cake mix recipe. This cake mix will take the place of a 15.25 ounce box of yellow cake mix.
Author:I Heart Eating
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings:20 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: homemade yellow cake mix, homemade yellow cake mix recipe
Three jars of homemade cake mix on a wooden cutting board.
Print Rate Pin
5 from 1 vote

Ingredients

Cake Mix

  • 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

To Bake a Cake

  • 1 recipe Cake Mix (from ingredients above)
  • 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
  • 1 cup milk (at room temperature)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

To Make the Mix

  • In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together until well-combined.
  • Add the shortening and vanilla.
  • Use an electric mixer on low speed to mix everything together. The mixture will be in small crumbs once combined.
  • Store the cake mix in a large resealable bag or large glass jar with a tight-fitting lid in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.

To Bake a Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or 2 9-inch round baking pans. Set aside.
  • Add the cake mix to a large bowl.
  • Add eggs, milk, and oil to the cake mix.
  • Mix with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds.
  • Increase speed to medium, and continue to mix for 1 minute, scraping down the bowl as needed.
  • Spread the batter in the prepared baking pan.
  • Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. For a 9x13 pan, it will take approximately 30-35 minutes. For the 9-inch round baking pans, it will take approximately 25-30 minutes.

Notes

  • Milk: You can use any dairy milk from skim milk to whole milk. Nondairy milk, like almond milk, will also work in this recipe.
  • Vegetable oil: A similar oil, like canola oil, will work in this recipe. 
  • Variations
    • Spice cake: Add 1.5 tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice to the flour. 
    • Confetti cake: Add 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles to the finished cake mix. 
    • Almond cake: Decrease the vanilla to 1/2 teaspoon. Add 1 teaspoon almond extract along with the vanilla. 
  • Nutrition values are estimates. Nutrition values given are for 1 serving of prepared cake. 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 180kcal (9%)Carbohydrates: 27g (9%)Protein: 2g (4%)Fat: 7g (11%)Saturated Fat: 3g (15%)Cholesterol: 17mg (6%)Sodium: 71mg (3%)Potassium: 101mg (3%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 16g (18%)Vitamin A: 49IU (1%)Calcium: 46mg (5%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you make this recipe?Tag @i_heart_eating on Instagram and hashtag it #ihearteating.

Adapted from Piece of Cake.

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  1. Cheryl says

    October 27, 2020 at 2:51 pm

    5 stars
    Okay, I tried this since I needed a cake and didn’t have a yellow cake mix in the house, and it was surprisingly good. I’ll probably make a couple and put them on the shelf.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      October 28, 2020 at 6:41 pm

      Thanks! I’m glad you liked it! =)

      Reply

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I'm Kate Dean- mom to four young kids, recipe developer, and photographer. Here at I Heart Eating®, I share my family's favorite tried-and-true recipes.

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