Recently I was sent a variety of Betty Crocker box mixes to
use in my baking. Every time I make something with a box mix I am worried about
those “only from scratch” bakers getting on my case. However, I do use a box
mix from time to time and have written about it on United Cakedom several times
before.
There are a couple of reasons why I, an avid baker, would choose a cake mix. First there is very little you can do to mess it up and therefore is a good choice when in a pinch. Secondly cakes made from box mixes always turn out fluffy and soft and taste good so make great bases for special toppings or fillings.
Besides all that there are other ways to use cake, brownie,
or cookie mixes and here are my five favorite ways:
Bundt Cakes:
Using a stylish baking tin is always a way to dress up you
cake mix. To Make: Follow the instructions on the box and add a 150g or a ½ cup
of peanut butter to the batter. Make sure that the bundt is properly greased
and floured before baking. Bake time will be a little longer then the time on
the box, but it depends on shape and your oven. So, set the timer for the
suggested time. Check the cake and if it’s not cooked add another 10 minutes,
if it’s still not cooked add another five and continue adding five until it’s
completely done. Use the skewer test to be sure. Leave to cool in the bundt pan
for at least 10 minutes before gently tapping it out. Then glaze it! For a
Peanut Butter Glaze (pictured): Whisk 250g/1 ½ cups icing sugar, 60ml/ ¼ cup
milk, 75g/ ¼ cup peanut butter, and ½
tsp vanilla extract together until combined. Pour over the top of the cake.
Sprinkle 1 or 2 squares of dark chocolate very finely chopped over the top.
Cupcakes:
This is one of those obvious reasons, but cupcakes are
always a crowd pleaser and there is so much to make cupcakes fancy or fun! I
made these on my recent visit to my parent’s house in America. I used a Betty
Crocker Red Velvet Cake Mix to make cupcakes and stuffed a limited edition Red
Velvet Oreos in the middle before topping with a Cookies and Cream Frosting. To
Make: make the cake batter according to box instructions. Fill the bottom of
each cupcake case with a tablespoon of batter, then place an Oreo on top of the
batter in each case, top each Oreo with the rest of the batter (about 3-4
tablespoons). Crush up any leftover Oreos and mix in the frosting for a
delicious cookies and cream frosting! note: Since these Oreo’s don’t exist here
in the UK feel free to use regular Oreos in any flavor cake!
Red Velvet Brownies:
These make a more cake like brownie, but are chewier which
is how I like them! To Make: Heat the oven to 180C/350F; line a square tin with
grease proof paper. Mix 1 box of red velvet cake mix; 60ml/ ¼ cup vegetable oil
(or sunflower); 75ml/ 1/3 cup water; 1 egg together until combined. Add 100g
white chocolate chunks and pour into the prepared tin. Bake in the preheated
oven for 30 minutes. Once cool cover with Betty Crocker’s Vanilla Icing and
Rainbow Sprinkle frosting.
Cake Batter Cookies:
Sally’s Baking Addiction blog’s most popular post is for her
Cake Batter Sprinkle Cookies. I adjusted her recipe to suit a UK market. To
Make: Sift 1 (450g) Betty Crocker Classic Vanilla Cake Mix and 1 tsp baking
powder into a bowl. In a separate bowl beat 2 eggs, 75ml/1/3 cup sunflower oil,
and ½ tsp vanilla extract. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir
until combined. Heat the oven to 180C/350F and line the baking sheet with
greaseproof paper. Form one-inch balls with the cookie dough and place on the
baking sheet leaving space between each dough ball. Place a few chocolate
chunks in the cookie dough. Bake for 9 minutes. Don’t let the cookies go brown,
take them out and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before
moving to a cooling rack. They will look pale and under baked, but they will
harden while cooling. note: want red velvet cookies? Use Betty Crocker’s Red
Velvet Cake Mix and white chocolate chips!
Brownie Bites:
Brownies are already smooshy so they are a lot easier to
make then cake pops (another great use for cake mix). To Make: Make brownies
according to the box instructions. Once they are cool enough to touch break
some up and roll it into about a 1-2 inch ball. Cover in melted chocolate or
candy melts. Decorate however you want! Check out the time my sister made
Golden Snitch Brownie Bites!(picture above)
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notes: cake mixes were provided for this post all opinions are my own please see above tab for further information.
Loving the red velvet cupcakes with the red velvet oreo - why can't we get all these flavours over here? Love Betty Crocker!
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