15 Simple and Delicious Desserts Using Boxed Cake Mix
Boxed cake mix isn’t just for making cakes anymore. These clever recipe shortcuts transform ordinary cake mix into amazing cookies, bars, and sweet treats.
Each recipe uses simple pantry ingredients to create bakery-quality desserts that’ll impress your family and friends without spending hours in the kitchen.

01. Simple Banana Walnut Bread

Moist banana bread made with yellow cake mix and real bananas. This dump-and-mix recipe delivers homemade flavor in half the time.
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix, 3 ripe bananas (mashed), 1 box vanilla pudding mix, 3 large eggs, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1/2 cup water, 1 cup chopped walnuts.
How To Make Simple Banana Walnut Bread
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease two 9×5-inch loaf pans thoroughly. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix and pudding mix, whisking together to eliminate any lumps.
2. Add mashed bananas, eggs, oil, and water to the dry ingredients. Mix everything together until just combined – don’t overmix or your bread will be tough. The batter should be slightly lumpy from the bananas.
3. Fold in the chopped walnuts gently, distributing them evenly throughout the batter. Divide the mixture between your prepared loaf pans, spreading it evenly to the corners.
4. Bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before turning out onto wire racks.
02. Five-Ingredient Lemon Cookies

Soft, chewy lemon cookies that melt in your mouth. These tender treats come together with just five simple ingredients you probably have on hand.
Ingredients: 1 box lemon cake mix, 1/2 cup butter (softened), 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon lemon extract, 1/2 cup powdered sugar for rolling.
How To Make Five-Ingredient Lemon Cookies
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, softened butter, eggs, and lemon extract until a soft dough forms.
2. Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in powdered sugar until completely coated. This creates that beautiful crackled appearance when they bake.
3. Place cookies 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are set but centers still look slightly soft. Don’t overbake – they’ll continue cooking on the hot pan.
4. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. The powdered sugar coating will create lovely cracks as they cool, giving them that bakery-fresh look.
03. Lemon Raspberry Oat Bars

Tangy raspberry jam layered between buttery oat crumble made with lemon cake mix. The lemon-raspberry combination creates an irresistible sweet-tart flavor balance.
Ingredients: 1 box lemon cake mix, 1 cup old-fashioned oats, 1/2 cup butter (melted), 1 large egg, 1 cup raspberry jam, 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
How To Make Lemon Raspberry Oat Bars
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal. Mix cake mix and oats in a large bowl, then stir in melted butter and egg until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Press two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan, creating an even layer. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to pack it down really well for a sturdy base.
3. In a small bowl, stir lemon juice into the raspberry jam to thin it slightly. Spread this mixture evenly over the pressed crust, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent overflow during baking.
4. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the jam layer, pressing gently to help it stick. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and jam is bubbling around the edges.
5. Cool completely in the pan before lifting out using parchment overhang and cutting into squares. These bars are even better the next day after the flavors meld together.
04. Spiced Cranberry Crumb Bars

Yellow cake mix transforms into festive bars loaded with tart cranberries and warm spices. These bars smell absolutely amazing while baking and taste even better.
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix, 1 cup fresh cranberries, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats, 1/2 cup butter (cold, cubed), 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.
How To Make Spiced Cranberry Crumb Bars
1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Reserve 1 cup of cake mix for the topping. Press the remaining cake mix into the bottom of your pan, creating a firm, even crust layer.
2. Toss cranberries with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and spread evenly over the crust. If using frozen cranberries, don’t thaw them first – they’ll release less juice during baking.
3. In a bowl, combine reserved cake mix, remaining brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger butter pieces.
4. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the cranberries, pressing lightly. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and cranberries are bubbling. Cool completely before cutting into bars.
05. Funfetti Rice Krispies Treats

Classic Rice Krispies treats get a birthday cake makeover with funfetti cake mix. These colorful treats are perfect for parties and celebrations of any kind.
Ingredients: 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal, 1/2 cup funfetti cake mix, 4 tablespoons butter, 4 cups mini marshmallows, 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
How To Make Funfetti Rice Krispies Treats
1. Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix Rice Krispies cereal with the dry cake mix until evenly distributed throughout.
2. In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and marshmallows together in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until completely smooth. Stir in vanilla extract while the mixture is still hot.
3. Quickly pour the hot marshmallow mixture over the cereal and cake mix combination. Using a greased spatula or your hands, mix everything together until the cereal is completely coated and no dry spots remain.
4. Press the mixture firmly into your prepared pan, then immediately sprinkle rainbow sprinkles over the top while still warm so they stick. Cool completely before cutting into squares with a sharp knife.
06. Easy Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls

Soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls made with yellow cake mix instead of traditional yeast dough. These come together quickly and taste like they took hours to make.
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix, 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 packet active dry yeast, 1 1/4 cups warm water, 1/4 cup butter (melted), 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk.
How To Make Easy Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls
1. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, flour, and yeast. Add warm water and mix until a soft dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
2. Roll dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Brush with melted butter, leaving a 1-inch border on one long side. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough.
3. Starting from the long side opposite the border, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seam to seal, then cut into 12 equal slices using a sharp knife or dental floss.
4. Place rolls cut-side up in a greased 9×13-inch pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes until puffy. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
5. While rolls bake, whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls and serve immediately for the best gooey texture.
07. Moist Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Tender lemon bread studded with poppy seeds and bursting with citrus flavor. This foolproof recipe creates bakery-quality results every single time you make it.
Ingredients: 1 box lemon cake mix, 1 box instant lemon pudding mix, 4 large eggs, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup water, 3 tablespoons poppy seeds.
How To Make Moist Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9×5-inch loaf pans thoroughly. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix and pudding mix, whisking to break up any lumps in the pudding mix.
2. Add eggs, oil, and water to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and well combined. The pudding mix will make it extra thick and creamy.
3. Fold in poppy seeds gently with a wooden spoon, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter. Divide the batter evenly between your prepared loaf pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.
4. Bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Cool in pans for 15 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
08. Gooey Peanut Mallow Bars

Decadent bars with a cake mix base, gooey marshmallow middle, and crunchy peanut topping. These over-the-top treats satisfy every sweet craving you could possibly have.
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix, 1/3 cup butter (melted), 1 large egg, 3 cups mini marshmallows, 1 cup salted peanuts, 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal, 1 cup peanut butter chips.
How To Make Gooey Peanut Mallow Bars
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Mix cake mix, melted butter, and egg until crumbly. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan to create the base layer.
2. Bake the crust for 12 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle mini marshmallows evenly over the hot crust. The heat will start to soften them slightly.
3. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt peanut butter chips in 30-second intervals until smooth. Stir in peanuts and Rice Krispies cereal until everything is well coated with the melted chips.
4. Quickly spread the peanut mixture over the marshmallow layer while everything is still warm. Press down gently to help everything stick together. Cool completely before cutting into bars with a sharp knife.
09. Chocolate Ice Cream Pizza

Devil’s food cake mix becomes a giant cookie crust topped with ice cream and your favorite toppings. This fun dessert pizza is perfect for birthday parties and summer gatherings.
Ingredients: 1 box devil’s food cake mix, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1 quart vanilla ice cream (softened), 1/2 cup chocolate sauce, 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles, 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, 1/4 cup chopped nuts.
How To Make Chocolate Ice Cream Pizza
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 12-inch pizza pan or large baking sheet. Mix cake mix, oil, and eggs until a thick dough forms. Press the dough evenly onto your prepared pan, creating a pizza crust shape with slightly raised edges.
2. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are set and the surface looks dry but still slightly soft. Don’t overbake – it will continue cooking on the hot pan. Cool completely on the pan.
3. Once the cookie crust is completely cool, spread softened ice cream evenly over the surface, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Work quickly so the ice cream doesn’t melt too much on the cookie base.
4. Drizzle chocolate sauce over the ice cream layer, then sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, and chopped nuts. Freeze for at least 2 hours until firm before slicing into wedges like a real pizza.
10. Simple Apple Crisp

Traditional apple crisp gets a shortcut with yellow cake mix creating the perfect crumbly topping. This comforting dessert tastes like fall in every single bite.
Ingredients: 6 large apples (peeled and sliced), 1 box yellow cake mix, 1/2 cup butter (cold, cubed), 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats.
How To Make Simple Apple Crisp
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange sliced apples in the prepared dish, then sprinkle with water and toss gently to coat. The water helps create steam for tender apples.
2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, brown sugar, cinnamon, and oats. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger butter pieces throughout.
3. Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the apples, making sure to cover them completely. Don’t pack it down – you want it loose and crumbly for the best texture after baking.
4. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender when pierced with a fork. The juices should be bubbling around the edges. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for the ultimate comfort dessert.
11. No-Churn Cake Batter Ice Cream

Creamy homemade ice cream with birthday cake flavor made without an ice cream maker. This simple recipe creates smooth, scoopable ice cream using just a few ingredients.
Ingredients: 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 3/4 cup yellow cake mix, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles, pinch of salt.
How To Make No-Churn Cake Batter Ice Cream
1. In a large bowl, whip heavy cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Don’t overwhip or you’ll end up with butter – stop as soon as the peaks hold their shape when you lift the beaters.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, cake mix, vanilla extract, and salt until completely smooth. Make sure there are no lumps of cake mix remaining in the mixture.
3. Gently fold the cake mix mixture into the whipped cream using a rubber spatula, being careful not to deflate the cream. Fold in rainbow sprinkles last, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
4. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and cover with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals. Freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight until firm enough to scoop like regular ice cream.
12. Soft Gooey Butter Cookies

Incredibly soft cookies with crispy edges and chewy centers made from yellow cake mix. These addictive treats disappear faster than you can make them every single time.
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix, 1/2 cup butter (softened), 1 package cream cheese (softened), 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup powdered sugar for dusting.
How To Make Soft Gooey Butter Cookies
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, beat together softened butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes with an electric mixer.
2. Add egg and vanilla extract, beating until well combined. Gradually mix in the cake mix until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. The dough will be softer than traditional cookie dough because of the cream cheese.
3. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. They’ll spread quite a bit during baking, so give them plenty of room to expand without touching.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but centers still look slightly underbaked. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar while still warm for the best coverage.
13. Jelly-Filled Cupcakes

Fluffy cupcakes with a surprise jelly center that tastes just like jelly donuts. These fun treats combine the best of cupcakes and donuts in one delicious bite.
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix, ingredients called for on cake mix box, 1/2 cup strawberry jelly, 1 cup heavy whipping cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
How To Make Jelly-Filled Cupcakes
1. Prepare cake mix according to package directions and bake in lined cupcake pans. Cool completely before proceeding – warm cupcakes will make the filling melt and create a mess when you try to fill them.
2. Using a small melon scoop or sharp knife, carefully remove a small cone of cake from the center of each cupcake, going about halfway down. Save the tops of the cones – you’ll need them later.
3. Fill each hollow with about 1 teaspoon of strawberry jelly, then replace the cone tops to cover the filling. Press gently to make sure the tops stay in place and the filling doesn’t leak out.
4. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Pipe or spread this whipped cream frosting on top of each cupcake, completely covering the cone tops.
5. Chill cupcakes for 30 minutes before serving to help the whipped cream set. The jelly center will be a delightful surprise when people bite into these special treats.
14. Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Cake-like pumpkin cookies made with spice cake mix and real pumpkin puree. These healthy-ish cookies use applesauce instead of butter for incredibly soft, moist results.
Ingredients: 1 box spice cake mix, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips.
How To Make Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, applesauce, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
2. Add the spice cake mix gradually, stirring until just combined. Don’t overmix – the batter should be thick but still soft and slightly sticky. Fold in mini chocolate chips if using them.
3. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. These cookies won’t spread much during baking, so you can fit more on each sheet than regular cookies.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are set but centers still look slightly soft. They’ll continue cooking on the hot pan after you remove them from the oven. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks.
15. Ultimate Caramel Brownies

Rich chocolate brownies with gooey caramel and chocolate chips throughout. These decadent squares are the ultimate indulgence for serious chocolate and caramel lovers everywhere.
Ingredients: 1 box chocolate cake mix, 3/4 cup butter (melted), 1/3 cup evaporated milk, 1 bag caramel candies (unwrapped), 1/4 cup evaporated milk, 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup chopped pecans.
How To Make Ultimate Caramel Brownies
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Mix cake mix, melted butter, and 1/3 cup evaporated milk until well combined. Press half of this mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan.
2. Bake the bottom layer for 8 minutes until just set. While it bakes, melt caramel candies with 1/4 cup evaporated milk in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth and pourable.
3. Remove the partially baked crust from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips and pecans evenly over the surface. Drizzle the melted caramel mixture over everything, spreading it gently to cover most of the surface.
4. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining cake mix mixture over the caramel layer – don’t worry about covering it completely. The rustic look is part of the charm of these brownies.
5. Return to oven and bake for 18-22 minutes longer until the top is set but still slightly soft. Cool completely in the pan before cutting – the caramel needs time to firm up for clean slices.
Final Thoughts
These cake mix shortcuts prove that delicious homemade treats don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming to make. Each recipe transforms ordinary boxed mix into something special.
Keep a few boxes of cake mix in your pantry, and you’ll always be ready to whip up impressive desserts for any occasion that comes your way.