Description
Transform a standard box of cake mix into a rich, bakery-quality dessert with just a few simple pantry additions. This reliable method uses sour cream and vanilla to create a moist, tender crumb that tastes completely homemade and stays fresh for days.
Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix (white, yellow, or chocolate)
- Water (amount called for on the box)
- Vegetable oil (amount called for on the box)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup full-fat sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round pans, lining the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract.
- Mix with a hand mixer on a high setting for about 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and thick.
- Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure no dry pockets of flour remain.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Notes
To ensure the most consistent texture, allow your eggs and sour cream to sit on the counter for 30 minutes to reach room temperature before mixing. If you are using a chocolate cake mix, swapping the water for room-temperature brewed coffee can significantly enhance the richness of the chocolate without adding a coffee flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American