Print

Easy Graduation Cake from a Box Mix

easy graduation cake - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and simple celebration cake made from a box mix with added sour cream and vanilla for moistness and flavor, topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box yellow or white cake mix (Duncan Hines recommended)
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup water (cold or room temperature)
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 container (16 oz) cream cheese frosting (store-bought)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Optional: Sprinkles or edible decorations

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8 or 9-inch round cake pans with butter or non-stick spray and lightly dust with flour.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, water, vegetable oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and well blended. Add water by tablespoon if batter is too thick.
  3. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops with a spatula.
  4. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Start checking at 30 minutes.
  5. Cool cakes in pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then invert onto rack to cool completely (about 1 hour).
  6. While cakes cool, beat cream cheese frosting with softened cream cheese and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
  7. Place one cake layer on serving plate, spread frosting on top, then place second layer and cover entire cake with remaining frosting.
  8. Smooth frosting with spatula or create decorative swirls. Add sprinkles or edible decorations if desired.
  9. Optional: Chill cake for 20 minutes before final smoothing for sharp edges.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs for fluffiness. Don’t overmix batter to avoid dense cake. Cool cake completely before frosting to prevent melting. For sharp frosting edges, chill cake before smoothing. Leftover frosting should be refrigerated and brought to room temperature before use.

Nutrition

Keywords: easy graduation cake, box mix cake, celebration dessert, quick cake recipe, cream cheese frosting, moist cake

Find it online: https://snappyspoon.com/easy-graduation-cake-from-a-box-mix-3-simple-steps-to-perfect-celebration-dessert/