Even carrot cake from a mix can be improved with a few simple additions.
Cake mixes are a great convenience, even for the most capable of bakers. Some days it's just not possible to carve out enough time to bake from scratch. Of course, using a cake mix doesn't mean you have to settle for a cake like everyone else's. There are several ways to improve most of the popular cake mix flavors, including carrot cake.
Instructions
1. Add moisture and flavor to your cake by adding more carrot. Peel a carrot and grate it into your bowl of batter, using the small side of a box grater. The fine shreds of carrot will cook and soften as the cake bakes, and will give it the appearance of being homemade.
2. Add flavors to your cake. A teaspoon of real vanilla extract gives a rich, mellow flavor that complements the spices in the cake. Alternately, a tablespoon or two of molasses will give the cake a richer color and aroma, and complement the cake's warm spices. More spices also could be added. A pinch of cinnamon, allspice, mace or powdered ginger will raise the cake to a different level.
3. Add crushed pineapple to your cake. Crushed pineapple is a common ingredient in many carrot cake recipes, and works just as well in a boxed mix. Carefully drain a half-cup of crushed pineapple, squeezing out any excess moisture. Mix the pineapple into the cake batter, and bake immediately.
4. Substitute two egg yolks for one of the whole eggs called for by the mix. The extra emulsifiers in the second egg yolk will give the cake a finer crumb and richer flavor.
Tags: carrot cake, will give, your cake, give cake, will give cake
