Manufacturers have been downsizing their cake mixes for years. Here's why.
The Surprising Reason Why There’s Less Cake Mix in Your Box
Updated on Jul. 14, 2022
A few years ago, a big change happened to many boxed cake mixes. The average home cook might have missed it, but folks like you and me? We noticed! Manufacturers like Pillsbury, Duncan Hines and Betty Crocker made their boxed cake mixes a few ounces lighter. Cake mixes that were once around 18 oz. were reduced to around 16 oz. and then again to 15 oz.
Psst: Here’s how to make cake mix taste homemade.
Wait, What? Why the Cut-Down in Cake Mix?
As ingredients became more expensive, cake mix companies and many other food manufacturers sneakily dropped a couple of ounces from the box. Before you start asking for your money back, cake mix companies still contend that their product creates a standard 13×9 cake. But how does this change affect all the other cake mix recipes we know and love?
How Reduced Cake Mix Affects Your Desserts
As we know, baking is a science. Fewer ounces can drastically alter your finished dish. I did a little snooping, and here’s what I found out.
Cake
If you’re making a cake like this Come Home to Mama Chocolate Cake with reduced cake mix, you’ll likely notice the difference. Without the extra filling, the cake will likely not rise as high. In my book, this isn’t a problem. I find that it saves room for extra ice cream!
Cupcakes
If you’re making cupcakes, the reduced cake mix means you could end up with 23 treats instead of 24. I find that adding a filling helps. These Tres Leches Cupcakes are a perfect example of that. With a chocolatey cream cheese center, they don’t even need frosting!
Dessert Bars
If you’re making a bar recipe that uses a cake mix as the base or crust, you’re going to notice a difference. With less cake mix, the crust will be a bit thinner, but it will still work.
If you’re concerned with the thinner crust, drop a pan size. For instance, these Macadamia Sunshine Bars call for a 13×9-inch baking dish. Drop that to a 11×7-inch baking dish and no one will ever know the difference. I find that guests appreciate the thicker filling, and you’ll be happier with the sturdier crust.
Dump Cakes
If you’re making a classic dump cake like this Chocolate-Covered-Cherry Dump Cake, you likely won’t notice the missing ounces at all. These desserts bake up super-easy regardless of how much cake mix goes in.
How to Make up for the Difference
If you’re really concerned about the difference in your older recipes, here’s a trick I use. I keep an extra box of yellow cake mix in a mason jar. When the difference matters, I use a scale and add a couple of ounces to the mix I’m using. (Here’s how to use a kitchen scale like a pro.) The yellow works with any flavor. And my desserts? They turn out as delicious as they always were.
We blind taste-tested the most common cake mix brands. Here’s the one that came out on top.
All of These Gems Start with Cake Mix!
Blueberry Lemon Cake“I always set aside some of my fresh-picked blueberries to make this quick and easy dessert,” says Leona Luecking, West Burlington, Iowa. Lemon flavor sparks the fruit layer and the tender cake.
Chocolate Cherry Dump CakeWith just 10 minutes of hands-on time and 35 minutes in the oven, you’ll be indulging in this chocolate cherry dump cake in under an hour.
Red Velvet Jar CakeI love to make these red velvet jar cakes for friends, family and teachers. Red velvet is my favorite during the holidays, but you can use any cake and frosting flavors you like. Then dress up the jars with homemade labels and ribbons for gifting. Don't forget to tie a spoon to the jar; everyone likes to dig right in! —Lillie Collier, Mobile, Alabama
Pumpkin Spice CakeWe sometimes call this pumpkin spice cake "Thanksgiving Cake" because it's a tasty alternative to pie, but we don't relegate it to just that holiday. I think you'll agree it's delicious any time of the year. —Kathy Rhoads, Circleville, Ohio
Pistachio BreadSomething like bread and cake combined, this pistachio bread is a true treat to eat. Enjoy it for breakfast, as a snack or as part of a meal.
Birthday Cake FudgeThis decadent birthday cake fudge is the perfect thing to make your big day special. Or prepare it ahead and package it as a surprise gift for a friend. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Rhubarb Custard CakeRhubarb thrives in my northern garden and is one of the few crops the pesky moose don't bother! Of all the desserts I've tried, this rhubarb custard cake is my first choice. It has old-fashioned appeal but is so simple to prepare. —Evelyn Gebhardt, Kasilof, Alaska
Old-Fashioned Whoopie PiesThese classic whoopie pies are a delicious cake-cookie hybrid, filled with a fluffy vanilla-tinged frosting. They are one of our favorite uniquely American treats.
Angel Food Cake RollThere's always room for dessert—especially when it's this eye-catching angel food cake roll. We like strawberry yogurt in the filling, but different flavors work well, too. —Joan Colbert, Sigourney, Iowa
Pineapple Pudding CakeMy mother used to love making this easy pineapple sunshine cake in the summertime. It's so cool and refreshing that it never lasts very long! —Kathleen Worden, North Andover, Massachusetts
Red Velvet Cinnamon RollsIf you ever wished you could have red velvet cake for breakfast, now you can, thanks to these vanilla-iced red velvet cinnamon rolls.
Slow-Cooker Spumoni CakeI created this cake for a holiday potluck one year. It has become one of my most requested desserts. If you prefer, you can use all semisweet chips instead of a mix. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
Strawberry Rhubarb Dump CakeIt always seems like my rhubarb goes bad in a hurry, so I was looking for a simple way to combine two of my favorite flavors in an incredibly easy dessert. I added extra spices to enhance the flavor of this strawberry-rhubarb dump cake for a sweet treat my whole family loved! —Jessica Bridge, Grand Junction, Colorado
Margarita CakeThis margarita cake is perfect for a picnic on a warm day. You'll be surprised at how closely it tastes like the real thing. These other margarita dessert recipes are delicious, too. ?—Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Pineapple Upside-Down Dump CakeThis dump cake recipe is wonderful topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It works well with sugar-free and gluten-free cake mixes too. —Karin Gatewood, Dallas, Texas
Funfetti PancakesFunfetti pancakes flecked with rainbow sprinkles and slathered in vanilla frosting create a celebratory start to birthdays or any day! They use equal parts cake mix and pancake mix to achieve a cakelike texture.
Black Forest Upside-Down CakeThe divine flavors of this simple Black Forest cake will impress your guests and leave you with many requests for the recipe! —Kimberly Campbell, Wheeling, West Virginia
Lemon Dump CakeThis easy dessert pairs the juicy, tart flavor of citrus with a silky, rich cream cheese filling. It can get tossed together in 10 minutes or less and baked and ready to devour in under an hour! If you love lemon and cream cheese, this dump cake is just the ticket. —Lee LaRosa, Hammonton, New Jersey
Ice Cream Cone CupcakesChances are, serving these ice cream cone cupcakes to kids will create a core memory for them. They mimic the look of a cone of ice cream but—surprise!—are filled with all the delicious components of a cupcake.
Giant Buckeye CookieI’m from Ohio, and we love our buckeye candy! Buckeyes are a delicious combination of peanut butter and chocolate, which is exactly what this cookie is. All you need is a box of cake mix, a few common pantry ingredients, and voila—you have a tasty dessert ready for family and friends in under an hour. You can customize it, too, by substituting other mix-ins for the chocolate chips. We serve it warm with ice cream or whipped cream. —Arianna Harding, Cincinnati, Ohio
Favorite Banana Cream PieHomemade banana cream pie is my mom’s specialty, and this dreamy dessert has a wonderful banana flavor. It looks so pretty, and it cuts easily too. —Jodi Grable, Springfield, Missouri
Strawberry BrowniesThe secret to these scrumptious strawberry brownies? A boxed cake mix makes these pink brownies light and fluffy and very easy to make.
Rhubarb Dump CakeJust a handful of ingredients come together to make this easy-to-assemble dessert that's perfect for rhubarb season. The rhubarb provides that tangy, tart bite, while the strawberry Jell-O and white cake mix give a sweet, buttery balance. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Double Butterscotch Coconut CakeI got this recipe for coconut cake from a co-worker years ago, then I changed it up a bit by adding a family favorite: butterscotch. It's super easy to throw together and it makes a perfect accompaniment to coffee or tea. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Strawberry-Rhubarb Upside-Down CakeI prepare this colorful dessert quite often in the late spring or summer when fresh rhubarb is abundant. I make this rhubarb cake with cake mix and take it to church potlucks. People actually line up for a piece. —Bonnie Krogman, Thompson Falls, Montana
Coconut MacaroonsThese crunchy, golden and chewy coconut macaroons are ideal for their simplicity and texture, and you can have this treat on the table in 30 minutes or less.
Chocolate Peppermint CakeGuests make sure to save room for this light and moist cake with its refreshing mint flavor and chocolate glaze. Its seasonal look makes it perfect for Christmas...a holiday birthday party...or other festive gatherings!
Pressure-Cooker Chocolate-Apricot Dump CakeYears ago, I used to prepare a dessert similar to this in the oven. Oh, it was so good. I converted the recipe to use my pressure cooker and now we can enjoy it quickly. Try it also with white cake mix and blueberry pie filling. Best served warm with ice cream or whipped cream. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Pumpkin Muffins with Cake MixMade with nothing more than a can of pumpkin and a box of spice cake mix, these simple pumpkin muffins are easy, fluffy and endlessly versatile. You can add raisins, chocolate, nuts and more. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Layered Mocha CheesecakeIn my search for the perfect mocha cheesecake, I ended up combining a few of my favorite recipes to create this delicious version. It’s as much a feast for the eyes as for the palate! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Strawberry Cheesecake Dump CakeThis creamy, cakey, sweet-tart dessert is wonderfully easy to assemble and always a crowd-pleaser. Spoon into bowls while it's still warm and dollop with whipped cream. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Berry Dream CakeI use cherry gelatin to give a boxed cake mix an eye-appealing marbled effect. It's so festive-looking. Top it with whatever fruit you like! —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
Red Velvet Cake BallsThe next time you host a party, whip up these irresistible bite-sized red velvet cake balls for your guests. They are sweet, easy to make and require only three ingredients.
Pecan Coffee CakeMy mom serves this nutty coffee cake for Christmas breakfast each year. The simple recipe is a big timesaver on such an event-filled morning. Everyone loves the crunchy topping. —Becky Wax, Tuscola, Illinois
Banana Flip CakeOur banana flip cake was inspired by a vintage lunchbox snack cake treat, but you don't need to have tried the original to appreciate this version. It has two thin layers of banana cake with a fluffy cream filling.
Blackberry Dump CakeHow can a recipe so effortless turn out so indulgent? That's the beauty of this dump cake, which becomes cobbler-like in the oven, rich with sweet and juicy blackberries and a crisp, caramelized topping. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Apple-Sweet Potato Pecan Dump CakeThis quick cake has lots of delicious apples, sweet potatoes, spices, pecans and caramel. mdash;Kathy Specht, Clinton, Montana
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake BarsThese irresistible chocolate chip cheesecake Bars are the perfect blend of chewy chocolate chip cookie and creamy cheesecake. They're the ideal treat for any occasion and easy to make and even easier to enjoy.
Raspberry CakeIndulge in this easy-to-make raspberry cake bursting with fresh raspberry flavor and topped with a luscious whipped raspberry frosting.
Waffle CakeThese fun waffles—soft on the inside, crispy on the outside—taste just like cake batter. Stack and frost them for a waffle cake that's a treat anytime, but especially on kids' birthday mornings.
Cinnamon Pecan BarsI'm a special education teacher and we bake these bars in my life skills class. It 's an easy recipe that my special-needs students have fun preparing. —Jennifer Peters, Adams Center, New York
Hazelnut Cake SquaresWhen one of my daughters is asked to bring a dish to a church function, a birthday party or any special occasion, she asks me for this recipe. It is so easy to prepare because it starts with a cake mix. It doesn't need icing, so it's perfect for bake sales too. —Brenda Melancon, McComb, Mississippi
Chocolate Caramel CookiesNutty chocolate caramel cookies are easier than they sound thanks to a secret ingredient: candy! Instead of making homemade caramel sauce, hide a Rolo candy piece in the center of each cookie.
Butterfinger Cookie BarsMy boys went through a phase where they loved Butterfingers. We made Butterfinger shakes, muffins, cookies and experimented with different bars; this one was voted the best of the bunch. Make sure you have an extra candy bar on hand because it’s hard to resist a nibble or two while you’re chopping. —Barbara Leighty, Simi Valley, California
Apple Pie CupcakesTurn the classic cupcake into a fall favorite with our rendition of apple pie cupcakes. Filled with a sweet apple mixture and topped with cinnamon frosting, these cupcakes taste just like apple pie!
Peanut Butter Caramel BarsWhen my husband and our three sons sit down to dinner, they ask, "What's for dessert?" I have a happy group of guys when I report that these rich bars are on the menu. They're chockfull of yummy ingredients. —Lee Ann Karnowski, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Chocolate BiscottiEasy chocolate biscotti comes together quickly thanks to boxed cake mix and chocolate syrup, and a drizzle of white chocolate finishes these twice-baked chocolaty treats.
Pear Bundt CakeNext time you make cake from a mix, try my easy and delicious recipe. The pears and syrup add sweet flavor and prevent the cake from drying out. And since there's no oil added to the batter, this tender fall-perfect cake is surprisingly low in fat. —Veronica Ross, Columbia Heights, Minnesota
Lemon SnowflakesYou’ll need just four ingredients to make these delightful lemon snowflake cookies. Confectioners’ sugar highlights the cracked tops to give them their snowflake appearance. —Linda Barry, Dianna, Texas
Irish Creme Chocolate TrifleI was given a bottle of Irish cream liqueur as a gift and had leftover peppermint candy, so I created this delicious trifle. It's always rich and decadent. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California
Cake & Berry Campfire CobblerThis warm Dutch oven cobbler is one of our favorite ways to end a busy day of fishing, hiking, swimming or rafting. It's yummy with ice cream—and so easy to make! —June Dress, Boise, Idaho
Pecan Pumpkin DessertI always make this treat for Thanksgiving. A friend gave me the recipe, and I've since shared it with many others. —Sue Williams, Mount Holly, North Carolina
Caramel Apple CupcakesBring these extra special cupcakes to your next event and watch how quickly they disappear! With a caramel topping and spice cake base, they're the perfect mix of two fall-favorite treats. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Lemon Angel Cake BarsA neighbor gave me this recipe years ago and it's been in flavor rotation ever since. It can be made ahead and serves a bunch, so it's perfect for parties and potlucks. —Marina Castle, Canyon Country, California
Butterscotch Toffee CookiesDecadent and so easy to make, these five-ingredient toffee chip cookies are your next go-to sweet treat.
Cranberry Layer CakeI adapted a Bundt cake recipe to create this layer cake. Cranberries, walnuts and homemade frosting make it taste so delicious that you'd never guess it starts with a convenient cake mix. —Sandy Burkett, Galena, Ohio
Pina Colada Tube CakeWe named this a “pina colada” cake because it has coconut, pineapple and rum. It’s a soothing finish at the end of a big spread. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
Caramel Nut Breakfast CakeI first tasted this incredible coffee cake when a kind neighbor brought it by. It was so good that my brother-in-law tried hiding it from us so he wouldn’t have to share. —Arlene Isaac, Crooked Creek, Alberta
Oatmeal Cream Pie RecipeWe love foods that remind us of childhood, like the chewy oatmeal cream pies stashed in our lunch boxes on lucky days.
Macadamia Sunshine BarsYour guests will be delighted with my bars. They are packed with nuts and dried fruit. I think that when you take a bite of this treat it’s like a mini-vacation to a Polynesian paradise. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
German Chocolate Tres Leches CakeI first tried tres leches cake while I was in Ecuador several years ago. Since then, I’ve changed it up by adding some of my favorite ingredients, namely chocolate and coconut. This version also has a splash of rum for an adults-only treat. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Coffee CakeOur coffee cake recipe turns coffee-o-clock into a true treat!
Pumpkin Spice CookiesBake and indulge in these pumpkin spice cookies to celebrate the fall season. The easy recipe uses cake mix for the soft and fluffy cookies.
Minister's DelightA friend gave me this recipe several years ago. She said a local minister's wife fixed it every Sunday, so she named it accordingly. —Mary Ann Potter, Blue Springs, Missouri
Can’t Leave Alone BarsI take these quick and easy treats to church meetings, potlucks and housewarming parties. I often make a double batch so we can enjoy some at home. —Kimberly Biel, Java, South Dakota
Apricot-Pecan Thumbprint CookiesI enjoy experimenting with cake mixes to make new cookie recipes. I love apricot, but feel free to fill the thumbprint in the center of these goodies with any fruit preserve you like. —Nancy Johnson, Laverne, Oklahoma
Peppermint Patty Sandwich CookiesAt my annual holiday party, these cookies are a big hit with everyone, especially when I mix festive food coloring or crushed candy canes into the filling. —Amy Martin, Vancouver, Washington
Cherry Poke CakeThis cherry poke cake is a vibrant, fruity cake with a cloud-like topping that’s guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Giant Spice CookiesI heard this cookie recipe over the radio about 1950—shortly after my husband and I married. The big spicy treats are so nice and chewy, they remain my favorite to this day. —Sandy Pyeatt, Tacoma, Washington
Root Beer Float CakeI add root beer to both the cake batter and fluffy frosting of this summery dessert to get that great root beer float taste. Serve this moist cake to a bunch of hungry kids and watch it disappear! —Kat Thompson, Prineville, Oregon
Cake Mix BarsThese easy cake mix bars are festive, fast and flavorful, and they make the perfect dessert for a crowd. Take a pan to a party, picnic or potluck!
