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When my brain’s jumbled, I like to bake. And often, I want to make something that doesn’t require a ton of effort, so I can focus on whatever’s bugging me. That’s where these cake mix recipes come in handy. They’re fun riffs on a cheap box mix, for those moments when you don’t want to create a full layer cake—or deal with a ton of ingredients—but want a delicious final product to enjoy after you’ve sifted through whatever’s nagging you. (See, it’s productive and rewarding!) I’ve tested all of these recipes myself, so I can vouch for their tastiness…and their unfortunate ability to disappear too quickly when I’m feeling snacky.
1. Cake Mix Brownies with a Cheesecake Swirl
Don’t let the fact that these treats are made with a cake mix fool you: They’re not cakey. Using fewer eggs and swapping water for milk than what the typical box mix calls for keeps them fudgy, chewy and dense—everything a brownie should be. The cheesecake swirl cuts through the sweetness nicely. Get the recipe.
2. Birthday Cake Monster Cookies
By far my most popular cookie recipe, these Birthday Cake Monster Cookies are practically kitchen sink cookies. They’re fun, festive and encourage you to go all out, emptying the bits of this candy or dregs of your peanut butter jar to make one massive cookie. Feel free to swap out the mix-ins and make ’em your own. Get the recipe.
3. Cake Mix Banana Bread
Originally appearing on our sister site, Collegiate Cook, this five-ingredient recipe is great for anyone living at a dorm or staying someplace temporarily, where you don’t want to invest in a bunch of flour, sugar and spices you’ll have to toss (or haul with you wherever you go). It’s just as moist and gooey as traditional banana bread, only much simpler to make. Plus, it has a peanut butter twist that gives the treat a better depth of flavor. Get the recipe.
4. Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffin Tops
Three-ingredient muffins that don’t taste like cardboard?! It’s a fall miracle! These pillowy muffin tops live up to the hype, and all you need to have on hand is a yellow or spice cake mix, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice. Get the recipe.
5. Pumpkin Truffles
Want something a little more decadent than muffins but still loaded with fall flavor? Go with some white chocolate-coated truffles. At just five ingredients, they’re barely any more effort; plus, you could use an adible marker to draw on little jack o’lantern, ghost or Jack Skellington faces to really take things next level. Get the recipe.
