DIY Cake Mix

I know in America you can sometimes buy cake mixes really inexpensively, so this might not be a money saving recipe for everyone. However, it can be really useful to know the ingredients in a basic cake mix, in case you need to make a cake quickly and don't have a mix on hand.

You can make mixes ahead of time and store the dry ingredients in a zip-top plastic bag in the pantry or freezer, or you can just use the recipe to make a from scratch cake similar in taste and texture to a cake mix.

For us, since we can't get a cake mix for less than about $3.50-$4.00 USD, this is a huge money saver. I use these recipes all the time for these basic cakes and other recipes that call for a standard cake mix. This recipe makes about the same as a standard cake mix (1 9x13 rectangle, 2 8-9in circle layers, or 24 cupcakes) and of course baking time will vary according to the size of your pan(s).

Homemade Cake Mix Recipe

Start by adding:

• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/3 cup cocoa powder (for a chocolate cake only obviously)

 Now you have a choice of adding these now or later:

• 1/2 cup shortening cut into dry ingredients like for pie crust (or you can add shortening, butter, or oil when you are making the cake)
• 1/3 cup powdered milk so you just have to add 1 scant cup water later (or you can just add 1 cup milk later) *

 When you are ready to make the cake you have to add

• 3 eggs (or egg whites for white cake)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Place dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl
3. Add your choice of fat and milk if you haven't done so already. (Add water now if you have already mixed in milk powder).
4. Beat in eggs (or egg whites) and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
5. Pour into greased pan(s) and bake (30-35 minutes for 9x13 rectangle,25-30 minutes for 8-9 inch circles, or 18-24 minutes for cupcakes).

*If I am using this cake mix for another recipe that simply calls for cake mix, I don't add the milk powder or any milk, unless the new recipe calls for it and never noticed a difference.