Cake Mix Upsizer Recipe

Over the past few years, the baking community has encountered an unexpected hurdle: the reduction in the size of cake mix boxes. 

They’ve somehow managed to shrink from the standard 18.25 ounces to a slightly smaller 15.25 ounces.

And some even as small as 13.25 ounces!

This subtle change went unnoticed at first.

But it soon became obvious when recipes calling for a “box of cake mix” suddenly came out all wrong.

Fortunately, there are a few straightforward ways to navigate this change, making it much less daunting than it may seem at first. 

From a simple cake mix upsizer to storing cake mix in bulk, you’ll be back to baking in no time!

How to Adapt Cake Recipes for 15.25-oz Boxes

Combine Cake Mixes for Perfect Baking

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, adjusting to the new 15.25-ounce cake mix boxes is crucial for achieving the perfect bake. 

And sometimes, the simplest solution is the most elegant. 

Surprisingly, the easiest way to keep your beloved recipes intact is not to adapt them at all. 

Instead of reworking measurements or modifying ingredients, consider the straightforward approach of combining cake mixes.

Here’s how it works: 

1. Purchase multiple boxes of your preferred brand and flavor of cake mix. 

2. Transfer the mixes into a large, airtight container. Stir them well, then secure the lid. 

3. This bulk mix can then serve as a reservoir for all your baking needs. 

The next time you come across a recipe that calls for an 18.25-ounce box of cake mix, you just need to measure it from the jar or measure 3 ounces to add to the smaller box.

This method ensures that your recipes remain unchanged, preserving the taste and texture you love.

This practical solution might not be the best option for one-time bakers.

But it’s ideal if you’re the kind of person who always has boxed mixes on hand and something in the oven.

Add Flour to Compensate for Smaller Cake Mixes

Do you not bake often enough to justify combining multiple cake mixes?

Or maybe you just prefer to tackle each baking project individually.

No worries! Another effective method for adapting to the 15.25-ounce cake mix boxes is adding all-purpose flour. 

This approach is beautifully simple and can be easily integrated into your baking routine with minimal adjustment.

Here’s how it’s done:

1. Spoon and level 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour and place in a bowl.

2. Add the cake mix and whisk to combine.

3. Proceed with the recipe as instructed. 

How easy is that?

While adding flour is a straightforward and accessible solution, it’s worth mentioning that it might slightly alter the cake’s texture or flavor. 

After all, every box and brand is different. 

With that in mind, it’s a good idea to test this with your chosen brand and then stick to that going forward. 

You might find it only needs 1/4 cup instead of 1/2. But with a bit of testing and patience, you’ll discover the perfect balance.

(This is best used with 15.25-ounce boxes. Use one of the other methods for smaller boxes.)

Another thing to mention is that it’s essential to spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife. 

This technique, known as ‘spoon and level,’ is crucial to prevent using too much flour.

If you simply scoop the flour from the bag, it’ll pack into the measuring cup, giving you too much. This leads to drier or denser cakes.

Keep Yellow Cake Mix On Hand

This is kind of a blend of the two methods above. But it’s a super simple way to make up for that missing 3 ounces. 

Here’s what you do:

1. Buy a box of yellow cake mix (preferably the same brand as the one you’re using for the recipe).

2. Transfer the cake mix to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dry place. 

3. When you’re baking with a 15.25-ounce box but need 18.25 ounces, add 3 ounces from the yellow cake mix jar. 

I like this method better than the flour method because the cake mix contains other ingredients needed for the recipe. So you should get the best results. 

Of course, it does mean buying and storing cake mix, which is why I included the flour method – people usually have it on hand.

Cake Mix Upsizer

The final option, and the one that takes the most work (but only a few minutes), is to mix a few ingredients and save them for later. 

Basically, you’ll make your own cake mix and store it for when you need it.

You’ll find recipes for white/yellow cake mix and chocolate cake mix upsizers below.

Here’s how to make them:

1. Whisk everything until well blended, then store it in an airtight container.

2. When needed, add a spooned and leveled 1/2 cup or 3 ounces to the recipe.

Once you have this on hand, you can easily modify any recipe for an 18-ounce box.

Happy Baking!