You may not realize that yellow cake mix is so incredibly easy to make from scratch, and this DIY cake mix is proof. With a few simple ingredients, you will have a cake mix that bakes up moist and fluffy every time. Use it, store it for later, or gift it to a friend.
Jump to:
This easy DIY yellow cake mix recipe couldn't be more simple! Whether you ran out of cake mix or you're just a do-it-yourselfer, there's no need to run to the store when you can make cake mix at home with a few basic ingredients.
You can keep use your homemade yellow cake mix right away, store it for later, or layer it nicely in a jar and gift it to a friend.
🥘 Ingredients
This cake mix requires just 5 standard ingredients.
- All-Purpose Flour - 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour.
- Sugar - 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar.
- Baking Powder - 3 ½ teaspoons of baking powder.
- Baking Soda - ½ a teaspoon of baking soda.
- Salt - ½ a teaspoon of salt (*see note).
Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!
🔪 How To Make Yellow Cake Mix
There are 2 different ways to make this DIY yellow cake mix. If you'd like to gift it to someone follow step 1, if you are making it for yourself follow step 2.
Making The Cake Mix
- To layer as a gift jar: In a mason jar or similar jar with a lid, assemble the cake mix by layering in the 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, then 1 ½ cups sugar, 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoons of salt (the order of ingredients in the recipe card). Add a tag to label your gift and seal securely.
- To combine for home use: Whisk together 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, then 1 ½ cups sugar, 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoons of salt and seal it in an airtight container until ready to use.
How To Make Yellow Cake
- Mix. Pour all of your prepared cake mix into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer. Make a well in the center and add these wet ingredients: 1 ¼ cups milk, ½ cup (1 stick) melted, cooled butter + 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 3 large eggs (at room temperature). Mix until thoroughly combined, about 1-2 minutes. Then, transfer the batter to a greased and floured baking pan(s).
- Bake. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes for cupcakes, 20-25 minutes for 8 inch round cake pans (2), or 30-35 minutes for a 9x13 baking pan.
If you'd like to try your hand at making your own frosting, my vanilla buttercream frosting and chocolate buttercream frosting are delicious and easy. Be sure to let the cake cool before you frost it. Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- If using unsalted butter when you combine this homemade yellow cake mix with the wet ingredients, increase the salt by ¼ teaspoon.
- Storing: Keep the mix in a jar with a tight fitting lid somewhere cool and dark (like a pantry). Use within 10-12 weeks.
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
😋 More DIY Recipes
- Whipped Cream
- Blueberry Syrup
- Russian Salad Dressing
- Arrabbiata Sauce
- Pumpkin Seed Butter
- Pizza Dough
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!
📖 Recipe Card
Yellow Cake Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 3 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- To layer as a gift jar: Assemble the jar of cake mix by layering in the all-purpose flour, then sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt (the order of ingredients in the recipe card). Add a tag to label your gift and seal securely.To combine for home use: Whisk all of the ingredients together and seal in an airtight container.
- To make yellow cake: Pour the entire contents of the jar into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer. Make a well and add these wet ingredients: 1 ¼ cups milk, ½ cup (1 stick) melted, cooled butter + 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 3 large eggs (at room temperature).Mix until combined, about 1-2 minutes, then transfer into greased and floured baking pan(s).
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes for cupcakes, 20-25 minutes for 8 inch round cake pans (2), or 30-35 minutes for a 9x13 baking pan.
Notes
- If using unsalted butter when you combine this homemade yellow cake mix with the wet ingredients, increase the salt by ¼ teaspoon.
- Keep the mix in a jar with a tight fitting lid somewhere cool and dark (like a pantry). Use within 10-12 weeks.
Wendy says
Could I cut down sugar? Would it be any issue/
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
You can cut down on sugar by about 10% in most cake recipes, so I would start with that. If you wanted to reduce the refined sugar further, I would look at other alternatives like using banana or applesauce as replacement sweeteners. Hope that helps and let me know if that leads you to more questions!
Carissa says
I am SO excited to make this! I just have a question. Usually we have to add more flour to our recipies due to high altitude. Do you know what the conversion is for high altitude by chance? Thank you so much for sharing your recipe! I was just at the store and did not want to go back for a box of cake mix Hehe
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
I have a great starting resource for adjustments is this guide for high altitude baking. Hope that helps!
caro says
Is this recipe the equivalent amount of a bought boxed mix?
I have a recipe that uses a shop bought cake mix, so it needs to be a specific weight I'm assuming for it to work.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, it is very close (as even boxed mixes have different weights). You should have no issues using this in any recipe that calls for a boxed mix. Thanks for asking!
Mrs Laui says
Have you made this into a chocolate cake mix before? Or used GF flour? Thank you! I'm so excited to have this recipe so I can quit buying the boxed cake mixes!!! 🙂
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Hello Mrs Laui! Yes, I have chocolate cake mix and white cake mix too. 🙂 You can use GF flour very easily in a 1:1 exchange.