We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. We're going to let you in on a secret: Even the most accomplished home bakers probably have a box of cake mix tucked away in their pantry.

"Instant hit with my family of five! So quick and easy I can even knock them out on a busy weeknight after work. Added a cup ...

There are many easy ways to improve boxed cake mix and make it taste homemade. Replacing the water with milk adds fat, richness, and flavor. Mix-ins, flavor extracts, and spices can take the texture ...

There's something wonderfully comforting about knowing that holiday magic can start with… a box. No not the beautifully wrapped kind sitting under the tree, but the humble little box of cake mix ...

Our Italian Love Cake leans on another boxed cake mix hack, but adds even more flavor with a cheesecake-like ricotta filling ...

Vegetable oil was saved for frying in her house (and mind you, my grandma wasn't even Southern). The neutral oil has its place in baking, but when it comes to cake mixes, she always used melted butter ...