Sometimes, the best recipes begin with a shortcut.
A boxed chocolate cake mix may not sound particularly special on its own, but with two simple substitutions, it can become a wonderfully rich and incredibly moist homemade-style cake.
My secret is applesauce.
Instead of using the usual liquid, I add unsweetened applesauce, which gives the cake a soft, tender crumb without making it taste like apples. I also replace the oil with melted butter for a richer flavour and a slightly more indulgent finish.
The result is a simple chocolate cake that requires only four ingredients and a few minutes of preparation. There is no frosting, filling or complicated decoration involved. I like to serve it just as it is, while the deep chocolate flavour and wonderfully moist texture speak for themselves.
An easy way to improve boxed cake mix
There is absolutely nothing wrong with using a boxed cake mix, especially when time is limited. It already contains the flour, sugar, cocoa and leavening agents in the right proportions, which makes the recipe both quick and reliable.
The fun part is finding small ways to make it your own.
Unsweetened applesauce adds moisture and creates a particularly tender crumb. Its flavour becomes almost undetectable once combined with the chocolate, so the finished cake does not taste fruity.
Melted butter, meanwhile, gives the cake a fuller and more homemade flavour than oil. Together, these two ingredients turn an everyday cake mix into a simple dessert that feels far more special than the effort required to make it.
Super Moist Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C), or to the temperature indicated on the cake mix package.
- Lightly grease a round cake pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
- Place the chocolate cake mix in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the eggs, unsweetened applesauce and melted butter.
- Whisk until the ingredients are fully combined and the batter is smooth. Avoid mixing longer than necessary.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes, following the recommended baking time on the package. Check the cake by inserting a toothpick into the centre. It should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan before slicing. Serve plain, at room temperature or slightly warm.
Notes
Make sure the melted butter has cooled slightly before adding it to the eggs. It can still be warm and liquid, but it should not be hot. Because cake mixes can vary slightly between brands, begin checking the cake a few minutes before the recommended baking time. The cake is ready when the centre springs back gently when touched and a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Unsweetened applesauce works particularly well because it adds moisture without making an already-sweet cake mix even sweeter. The cake is delicious served plain, but you could also add a light dusting of powdered sugar, a few fresh berries or a spoonful of whipped cream for a special occasion.
How to store it
Once completely cool, cover the cake tightly or place the slices in an airtight container. It can be kept at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerated for approximately four days.
Let refrigerated slices return to room temperature before serving, or warm them very briefly in the microwave to soften the crumb again.
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @thesmallplenty on Instagram and hashtag it #thesmallplenty.
Very inspiring. Thanks a lot for sharing the recipe!