Boxed cake mix that tastes homemade
Yes, really
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The Recommendation

April 11, 2026

The best boxed cake mix

Six decorated cakes with four different types of cake mix boxes on display in front of a cream colored background.
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter; food styling by Maggie Ruggiero

You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to bake a homemade dessert: Boxed cake mix makes the process simple, saves you from dirtying too many dishes, and offers a canvas for customization.

And the best ones look and taste like they were made from scratch. (Yes, really.) After taste-testing 20 mixes, we found six that would easily stand out at your next birthday celebration, graduation party, or garden soiree.

Including a nostalgic, fluffy confection and a buttery-rich option→

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