Five Ways to Use Betty Crocker Box Mixes {five on Friday}

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)

If you like this post you might like:     

Star Bar Cake

Slutty Brownies

Hawaiian Coconut Cake

notes: cake mixes were provided for this post all opinions are my own please see above tab for further information. 

Oreo Poke Cake

Oreos are one of the best cookies to bake with. They make the best cheesecake and pie crusts! They also make amazing frosting for cakes and cupcakes. Not to mention they make the best truffles ever!

The other reason I hold a soft spot for Oreo’s is because my dad loves them.

He loves to have a couple with a cold glass of milk to dunk them in. It is hard being away from my family, even if I don’t talk about it much. When I snack on the occasional Oreo by first dunking it in milk and waiting until the count of 10 to let it get soggy (something I've done since I was a child) it always reminds me of my dad!

The last thing I made in the year 2014 had everything to with Oreos, which is why I am going on about them! The last thing I made was this Oreo Poke Cake. Which is little to no effort with a great reward.

Poke Cakes are essentially American because you use a box cake mix and Jell-O Instant Pudding. The latter not being readily available here in the UK. You could make both from scratch, but there is nothing wrong with taking a short cut especially when the outcome is super delicious!

When I was visiting my parents last summer I brought a few things back with me and surprise surprise one of them was a box of Oreo Cookies n’ Creme Jell-O Pudding! It’s been sitting in the cupboard staring at me and taunting me saying “Once you've made me you won’t have me anymore, so whatever you make with me better be good!”

Then one day when I was wasting time on Pinterest, poke cakes kept appearing. It was an obvious sign that told me to make a Poke Cake and to use my Oreo Jell-O pudding.

So, that’s what I did and I am glad I did! It was a big hit at our friends house on New Years Eve, everyone who tried it said it was amazing! 

Oreo Poke Cake

1 chocolate cake box mix (Betty Crocker Devil Food Cake Mix)

1 4.2oz (119g) box of Oreo Cookies n’ Crème Jell-O

1 pkg (157g) of Double Stuffed Oreo’s, crushed

First make the box according the instructions and with the ingredients listed. For the Betty Crocker Devil Food Cake you need 90ml vegetable oil, 250ml of water, and 3 medium eggs. Bake in a 9x12 Pyrex dish or similar, be sure to grease it first. The temperature, 180C/160Cfan/gas mark4, is still the same as is the time for baking 25 minutes.

Once the cake is out of the oven, mix the Jell-O pudding powder with 2 cups (American measuring cups) of cold whole milk. Once it’s mix make holes in the cake with the handle of a wooden spoon. I made mine in rows and columns. Then pour the slightly thickened Oreo pudding on top of the cake. The pudding should not be too wet and you don’t want it completely set so work quickly.

Sprinkle the crushed Double Stuffed Oreos over the top and press down gently. Leave for at least 10 minutes to let the pudding completely set. I like putting mine in the fridge because I like my pudding chilled.

notes: Interested in Oreo Truffles – check out my post! Jell-O pudding can be found on good American grocery websites. Yes, food things talk to me. Don’t judge. If you like this post and you are on Pinterest look me up! Follow me here!

Twix Brownies or Not Leftover Halloween Chocolate Bar Brownies

Last Friday I talked about my favorite five chocolaty things and the number one thing on that list is brownies. Then my most viewed post last week was 'How to use up leftover Halloween Candy.'

So, today I thought I would combine them.

I made leftover Halloween chocolate bar brownies.

Technically the chocolate bars I used weren't leftovers, because Halloween hasn't happened yet. They are Halloween candy though because it they were on offer for a pound so you know….

Anyhow, I do enjoy a Twix bar from time to time, so I layered my baking tin with Twix’s and poured brownie batter on top.

Now for these brownies I used a box brownie mix. If you are against the use of box mixes then any brownie recipe will do. I have plenty here on my blog!

Yes, I am self promoting. If I don’t do it, who will?

If you bought a lot of different chocolate bars to give out and you end up with loads left or if you take the children trick or treating and have an abundance of chocolate bars then use those.

A variety of different chocolate bars would make for very interesting brownies. I like the Twix for the cookie/biscuit base; it feels sturdier somehow.

I am probably just talking trash/rubbish, but it’s how I feel.

Twix Brownies aka Halloween Chocolate Brownies

1 package of brownie mix

            plus an egg, vegetable or sunflower oil, and water or whatever it says on the

            box.

20-23 Twix fun size bars

Line the base of an 8x8 inch pan with baking paper, then layer the Twix or leftover chocolate bars on the bottom. Heat the oven to the recommended temperature on the box or by whatever recipe that is being used. Make the brownies according the box instructions. Carefully pour the brownie mixture on top of the chocolate bars and gently smooth with a spatula. Bake according to the time on the box or by the recipe. I may not sound very helpful, but depending on what types of boxed brownies are used then the temperatures and times can vary!

Be sure to cool completely in the pan, especially depending on what type of chocolate bars used. Some of them could be very gooey and ooey as they are on the bottom. So, no matter how much a warm brownie from the oven is tempting, be sure to allow them to cool to avoid unwanted mess!

 notes: For these brownies I used Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie mix, which can be found at Costco. Costco do not approve of this post nor do Twix; not because they don’t like it, but because they don’t know about it. I just thought you might like to know where I get the best boxed brownies from and that Twix are great! For more information see my contact/policy page. 

Udi's Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes

These are a batch of gluten free but oh so chocolaty cupcakes!

I made these with Udi’s Chocolate Flavour Cake Mix and topped them with Sugar and Crumbs gluten free Chocolate Milkshake natural flavored icing sugar.

I thought about putting “Frosting! A butt load of frosting!” (Vanellope von Schweetz) on these cupcakes, but I don’t always like that much frosting.

Sometimes you just want cake.

Plus I have this really cool Baker’s Dusting Wand that I have wanted to try out! It totally made me feel like a baking fairy! No lie.

Udi’s Cake Mixes are a great way for people with gluten sensitivities! Just because one cannot have gluten does not mean they should miss out on cake of any kind!

This is something I feel really strongly about. 

These cupcakes have a very rich chocolate flavour and were a perfect accompaniment to my coffee.

Udi’s Chocolate Cupcakes:

1 box of Udi’s Gluten Free Rich & Delicious Chocolate Flavour Cake Mix

Plus the ingredients on the back of the box

1 tbsp of Sugar and Crumbs Milkshake flavoured Icing Sugar

Follow the baking instructions on the box for cupcakes. Then fill the magic dusting wand with icing sugar and dust away! Enjoy! 

The back of the box also has some great suggestions on how to take these cupcakes from yum to yummy. Or something like that! So, if you or someone you love or at least like has gluten sensitivities then you should brighten up their day by bringing them some of these amazing cupcakes!! 

I had way too much fun with that dusting wand! Now I will have to think of something else to use it on! 

notes: Udi’s have a great range of Gluten-Free products they launched here in the UK earlier this year. Check out the first post I did for them here and here! Also check out my instagram as I try out some of their other products! All the products (cake mix, baker’s dusting wand, and flavoured icing sugar) were sent for my review please see my contact/policy page for more details. 

My Little Pony Birthday Cupcakes!

A while back I shared with you some delicious Elvis cupcakes that were topped with Elvis cupcake toppers, made by Birthday Cake Toppers. (website is MIA) When they sent me the Elvis ones they also sent me My Little Pony Friendship is Magic cupcake toppers.

One may think that I had asked for these cupcake toppers for my daughters, but truth be told, I love that show. I saved them so I could use them for my birthday cupcakes. 

It’s a very clever and entertaining show that still has values. Everything a good show, cartoon or not should have.

Yes, I am a 30-something who loves a cartoon about ponies. In fact I wish my girls liked it more so I had someone to watch it with me.

I mean they will watch the odd episode; perhaps they are too young for an all out My Little Pony marathon.

However they weren't too young to appreciate these cupcakes. I made them for us for my birthday 2 Friday's ago. Again because my birthday was a busy day I used Betty Crocker Lemon Cupcake box mix. But please feel free to use your favorite cupcake recipe. Flavors and colors could be adjusted to your favorite pony etc... 

It’s not like I have made my love for the show a secret. I have made some My Little Pony Friendship is magic inspired treats in the past like – Rainbow Dash’s Rainbow Jellies, Fluttershy’s Spring Time Cupcakes, and Apple Jack’s Apple Pies from Sweet Apple Acres. 

All of those posts were from 2012. It's funny how I blog has changed.Also I never finished my goal of making something inspired by each main pony. Still have Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity. Guess I have to get brainstorming! 

Do you watch the show? Who is your favorite Pony? Please leave a comment below I do like discussing the show!

notes: The edible cupcake toppers were provided for me to review. All opinions are my own. If you are interested in cake toppers please check out their site here. If you don’t see what you’re after just ask them and they will do their best. They can also use a personal photo. Betty Crocker have nothing to do with this post what so ever. Here are the Elvis Cupcakes

Hawaiian Coconut Cake!! {weekend baking}

All you need for the cake is: 

1 box mix of Angel Food 

1 16oz can of crushed pineapple

Frosting: 

Cool Whip

Coconut milk (to taste) 

Pineapple Tidbits & Toasted Coconut & Cherry to top (optional)

To make just mix the cake mix with the 16oz can of pineapple

follow the instructions on the back of the box for baking times.

I used 2 9in round pans instead of the traditional fluted pan and lightly greased my pans. 

I had to adjust the timings because I changed my pan size. 

Whip up the Cool Whip with a little coconut milk if using or vanilla as another option. 

Spread over the cake and top with chosen toppings! 

A very light cake perfect for summer! My family enjoyed it and it was super easy to make! I left the coconut off because my husband doesn't really like it. ~ Janet 

Penguin Birthday Cake!!! {weekend baking with Janet}

My littlest one turned 5 this past week and she loves, I mean really loves penguins! So, I made her a penguin cake and cupcakes! This took ages and I'll be telling the truth when I say I don't want to see frosting and cakes for a while! Thank goodness the next birthday is mine in July!

I used a box mix for the cake/cupcakes and a jarred whipped cream frosting. Some of which I dyed black/orange/pink to frost 1 large cake for the family on the day and to frost 18 cupcakes for her classmates! She loved them! ~ Janet

Best Frosting Ever!! {Funfetti Cupcakes} #NationalCupcakeWeek

Every once in a blue moon I visit a not-so-local American grocery store and picked up a box mix of Pillsbury's Funfetti cake mix. It's been sitting in the cupboard for a while and I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do with it. There are so many blogs that show you how to use funfetti cake mix in many different ways: cookies, bars, cheesecakes etc.... So, when I came across this blog and the claim for best frosting ever I thought use the box mix and focus on the frosting!! ;0) 

Everyone who had a cupcake said that the frosting was pretty amazing! I think it's pretty darn good myself and really easy. Anyone who cooks and has made a basic white sauce will find this frosting very familiar to make. To go with the theme of funfetti I topped mine with sprinkles or if you're in the UK hundreds & thousands! Enjoy!! 

Best Frosting Ever

Ingredients:

5 Tablespoons flour

1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup butter (2 sticks = 230g)

1 cup granulated white sugar

Instructions:
In a small saucepan, whisk flour into milk and heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. It took me around 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn it. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. You can place the saucepan over ice in the sink for about 10 minutes or so until the mixture cools if you are in a hurry. Stir in vanilla. This mixture must be completely cooled in order for the frosting to work.

While the mixture is cooling, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Then add the cooled milk/flour/vanilla mixture and beat until it all combines and resembles whipped cream. Make sure you scrape down the sides every so often so that it all gets incorporated and whipped. If it's not looking like whipped cream, keep on whipping. This frosting is great for piping. Best served the same day.

Really you could use any cupcake you wanted with this frosting recipe, boxed cake mix or not! If you using a box just follow the directions on the back of the box! This particular box mix is from America so it is easier if you have cups. Not that the UK is short boxed cake mixes! 

Happy National Cupcake Week!!