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Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix in a Jar

Thanks for sharing!

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.

Jar of homemade chocolate cake mix next to chocolate cupcake and some ingredients.

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.

Ingredients ready to be made into homemade cake mix.

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.

Quart jar filled with homemade chocolate cake mix.

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!

For a non-edible gift idea, try making snickerdoodle sugar scrub. It’s made from pantry staples and can smooth your skin.

Frosting ideas for your chocolate cake

Now that you have your cake covered, we need something tasty to top it with. We all know I think the frosting makes the cake, so here are some great options.

For a classic and fat free option, try seven minute frosting. It is light, airy and is perfect on moist chocolate cake.

Another fun option is caramel cream cheese frosting. It is made with a can of condensed milk, so you know it is going to be good!

Or stick to a tried and true recipe like American buttercream or a classic cream cheese frosting. You really can’t go wrong with either of those.

Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!

Yield: 24 Servings

Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix

Jar of homemade chocolate cake mix next to chocolate cupcake and some ingredients.

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.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

Cake Mix

  • 2 3/4 of cups flour
  • 1/2 cup of cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 cups of sugar
  • 2 teaspoons of baking powder
  • Pinch of salt

To Make The Cake

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla
  • 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup of milk
  • 1 cup hot water

Instructions

To Make The Mix

  1. 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.

To Bake the Cake or Cupcakes

  1. Mix the eggs, vanilla and oil into the dry mix until batter is smooth.
  2. Stir in the milk.
  3. Add hot water a little bit at a time, stirring until just combined after each addition.
  4. Scoop batter into 24 cupcake liners or a 9x13 cake pan.
  5. 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.


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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1 Cupcake

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 158Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 56mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gProtein: 3g

All nutritional information is estimated and will depend on the exact ingredients you use.

Did you make this recipe?

I'd love to see it! Share a picture on Instagram or Pinterest and tag me @carleecooks to let me know how it went!

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.

Thanks for sharing!

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!

Andrea Nine

Wednesday 3rd of November 2021

What a great gift idea as well! Anything in a jar is so convenient and wonderful!

Carlee

Wednesday 3rd of November 2021

Thank you!

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