Next time you want a chocolate cake, instead of reaching for a box grab a homemade chocolate cake mix. You can whip up several in just a few minutes and there are no preservatives. Taking it from the jar to cake batter just takes a couple of standard ingredients and almost no effort.
A jar of homemade chocolate cake mix is handy to have in your pantry. It would also make a fun small gift for family and friends.
The mix itself comes together in just a minute or two. While you have the ingredients out you might as well make a few.
In fact, the mix itself only takes five ingredients. Of course you will need some flour.
For the most tender cake, use cake flour. You can actually make your own cake flour by using flour and cornstarch.
If you don’t want to go through the extra step, feel free to use all purpose flour. It will be tasty either way, but cake flour will give more of a box mix texture.
Add some sugar and cocoa powder. Stir in some salt and baking soda and then you are done.
Just spoon the mixture into a quart sized jar. Alternatively you can put them in plastic bags.
They can be stored at room temperature for several months. Then just grab one and make a cake whenever you would like.
Turning the Mix into Cake
Be sure to include the baking instructions on a tag with the jar. Or write them directly on the plastic bag.
That way you don’t have to scrambled to whip up your batter. The directions will be right there.
To make the cake, pour the mix into a large bowl. Add eggs, vanilla, oil and milk then beat it together.
See, it is about the same amount of effort as using a box. Then pour it into a prepared cake pan or cupcake liners.
That’s it! You’ll have a delicious chocolate cake.
You can also use a cake mix to make all sorts of other treats. Check out our collection of recipes that start with a cake mix for more tasty ideas.
More Easy Homemade Mix Ideas
Make your own brownie mix so you can have rich fudgy homemade brownies at a moment’s notice. Store the mix in glass jars or plastic bags and keep them for yourself or give them as simple gifts.
You can also pre-mix the dry ingredients for beer bread and store them in a jar or bag. When it time, just add the beer and bake it off.
Sugar cookie mix with sprinkles is another fun giftable jar recipe. Match the sprinkle colors to the time of year and it’s ready to go!
Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!
Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix
Ingredients
Cake Mix
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 Pinch salt
To Make The Cake
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 cup hot water
Instructions
To Make The Mix
- Mix together all of the ingredients and spoon into a quart jar or plastic bag for storage. Be sure to include baking instructions for reference later.2¾ cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup cocoa powder, 1½ cups granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 Pinch salt
To Bake the Cake or Cupcakes
- Mix the eggs, vanilla and oil into the dry mix until batter is smooth.2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ cup vegetable oil
- Stir in the milk.¾ cup milk
- Add hot water a little bit at a time, stirring until just combined after each addition.1 cup hot water
- Scoop batter into 24 cupcake liners or a 9×13 cake pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes for cupcakes or 350°F for 25 minutes for a cake. The cake is done when it springs back when lightly touched with a finger.
Jaxon
Thursday 27th of June 2024
this was great
Marie K
Tuesday 12th of December 2023
I noticed you did not use the hot water in the video, so I am wondering which are the correct instructions?
Carlee
Tuesday 12th of December 2023
You should use the water. It was missed in the video, but the cake is dense without it.
Rachel M
Saturday 30th of September 2023
I’m just preparing my first jar and my cake mix doesn’t all fit. I measured everything exactly. Do you have a metric conversion that is more accurate seeing a “cup” isn’t always the same size depending where you live
Carlee
Saturday 30th of September 2023
Hmm. I haven't done it in metric or weight measurements. Though, I am sure we could figure that out. I wonder if you have the jar a couple of light taps on the counter if the contents would settle and you could get it all in there.
Bob C.
Friday 15th of April 2022
There is no baking powder in the mixture?
Carlee
Friday 15th of April 2022
There is. 2 teaspoons goes in with the rest of the dry ingredients in the jar. I hope you love the cake!
Karen @karenskitchenstories
Wednesday 3rd of November 2021
What a great idea for gifts!! I can see making several of these for my colleagues at work.
Carlee
Thursday 4th of November 2021
They are easy and the resulting cake is delicious!