Easy Cake and Brownie Mix Makeovers
Box-mix makeovers [1]
Want to add a little pizzazz to a box-mix dessert? Start with your favorite mix -- one regular or sugar-free two-layer-size cake mix OR one family-size brownie mix (a 19.5 to 26-ounce package). Then stir, swirl or sprinkle some adds-ins -- such as flavored syrup, a little spice or chocolate chips -- and you've got a whole new creation.
Click on the recipe link below for all our add-in ideas. For photos of some finished treats and a sampling of add-in ideas, click ahead.
Fill with pudding [6]
A super-simple fix-up: Slice cupcakes into thirds or halves, fill with pudding, frost.
Top hot cake after baking [9]
Sprinkle chocolate and peanut butter pieces on a brownie mix while it's still hot from the oven. This technique helps the pieces stick to the cake but still retain their shape.
Other sprinkles for hot cakes: coarsely chopped chocolate-covered raisins, chocolate-covered peanuts, candy bars or unwrapped caramels.
Make it glitter [12]
Pipe mini dollops of canned pink frosting (or white frosting tinted with red food coloring) over the top of a cupcake and sprinkle with edible glitter.
Frost with swirls [15]
Fill slightly hollowed brownie cupcakes with a small spoon of gooey marshmallow cream and top with drizzles of melted chocolate chips.
Layer toppings [18]
Our brownies are covered with both marshmallow cream and pink frosting, topped by chopped maraschino cherries.
For a flavored cream: Beat together a jar of marshmallow cream and a quarter-cup orange marmalade, peanut butter or your favorite flavor of ice cream topping.
Add chopped candies [21]
Frost a chocolate cupcake with canned chocolate frosting, then sprinkle on chopped candy bar and chopped chocolate bar.
Make a marshmallow flower [24]
Decorate a cupcake with white canned frosting tinted with orange food coloring. Snip a large marshmallow to form petals and dip in colored sugar. Add a gumdrop to the center.
Roll in sprinkles [27]
Roll the edge of a pink-frosted cupcake in multicolor sprinkles.
Create a tropical treat [30]
Add shredded orange peel to whipped cream or whipped topping and spread between layers and on top of cake. Finish with toasted coconut and sliced kumquats.
Kids' choice [33]
Add animal crackers and candy-coated milk chocolate pieces to a just-frosted cupcake for instant kid appeal.
Other topper ideas for frosting: Broken peanut brittle, honey-roasted peanuts, toasted coconut, broken cookies, grated chocolate, chopped candy, miniature semisweet chocolate pieces or colored sprinkles.
Batter fix-ups: Add seasoning [36]
Stir your choice of seasoning into basic box-mix batter. Try:
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ground ginger, apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice
• One-half teaspoon ground chipotle chile pepper (for some heat)
• 2 teaspoons grated orange peel
Mix liquid flavor into batter [39]
Replace 1/4 cup of the water in the box mix with one of these:
• 1/4 cup coffee liqueur
• 1/4 cup melted ice cream
• 1/4 cup flavored coffee syrup
• 1/4 cup chocolate-flavored syrup
Top ready-to-bake batter [42]
Just before you bake your cake, top the batter with ingredients such as:
• 1 cup dried cranberries, dried cherries or raisins
• 1 cup coarsely chopped smoked almonds or other nuts
• 1 cup flaked or shredded coconut (toast coconut, if you like)
Flavor frosting [45]
Add flavor to canned frosting by folding in ingredients such as a quarter-cup miniature semisweet chocolate pieces, 2 tablespoons chopped maraschino cherries or 2 teaspoons grated orange peel.