Boxed Cake Mixes Are 10X More Flavorful When You Add This Tangy Ingredient

It's hard to beat the convenience and simplicity of boxed cake. However, to it taste as good as it would if you bought it at an upscale bakery, try a simple trick: Add Greek yogurt to the cake batter. It will help the cake rise beautifully and add creaminess and moisture. Greek yogurt activates the baking soda in your cake mix, causing the cake to expand while giving it a light, airy crumb. Greek yogurt has less water than other yogurt, so it also lends a rich creaminess to your batter. 

To use Greek yogurt in your favorite cake mix, substitute it for the liquid called for in the recipe, such as the water, milk, or oil. For best results, use an unflavored, high-quality Greek yogurt brand. In a pinch, you can use flavored yogurt if it suits your cake mix. For example, strawberry Greek yogurt could work well in a strawberry cake mix. Or, a vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt could pair well with a yellow or Funfetti cake mix.

Other swaps will make your boxed cake mix taste richer. However, Betty Crocker recommends adding an extra egg to boxed cake mix for extra fluffiness. You can also add one or two egg yolks along with the whole eggs to give your cake a rich, decadent flavor.

To add depth to a chocolate cake mix, try adding in a shot or two of espresso. Ina Garten approves of this tip for working with chocolate because it helps the chocolate flavor shine through. You can add espresso powder to any chocolate cake recipe — boxed mixes included.

Another simple addition is a packet of instant pudding mix. Use the pudding flavor that will best match your cake (for example, use vanilla instant pudding for a vanilla cake). This will enhance the cake's flavor and taste, and considering most instant pudding mixes cost less than $2, it is a very affordable way to take your homemade cake to the next level.