Recipe:

Natural Yellow Cake Mix

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Replaces 1 (16- to 18-ounce) box yellow cake mix

Thanks to our reader for this great idea. She wrote, "I would love an alternative to using boxed cake mixes in desserts. I often see recipes that call for a box of yellow cake mix as an ingredient. I really don't like using cake mixes because they often contain chemicals, preservatives, probably trans fat, and other stuff I don't want to consume." While we do sell prepackaged all-natural cake mixes, we thought the idea of a homemade version sounded fun.

Ingredients

Natural Yellow Cake Mix
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 cups evaporated cane juice sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons salted butter, softened

Natural Yellow Cake
1 recipe Natural Yellow Cake Mix (see above)
2 eggs
1 cup low-fat 2% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

For the cake mix, put flours into the bowl of a food processor. Add sugar, baking powder and salt and process until blended. Cut butter into 4 or 5 chunks, then add to flour mixture and pulse until completely incorporated. Use cake mix immediately (see below) or store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

For the yellow cake, preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 9- x 13-inch cake pan or two 8-inch round cake pans; set aside.

Transfer cake mix to large mixing bowl, then add eggs, milk and vanilla and beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Increase speed to medium high and beat for 2 minutes more, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Transfer batter to
prepared baking pan(s). For a 9- x 13-inch cake, bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until done when tested with a toothpick. For two 8-inch cakes, baking time may shorten, so check after 25 to 35 minutes. Set cakes aside to cool for about 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and set aside on wire racks to cool completely. Frost cakes, if desired.

Nutrition

Per serving (24 slices/42g-wt.): 150 calories (60 from fat), 7g total fat, 4.5g saturated fat, 35mg cholesterol, 220mg sodium, 20g total carbohydrate (1g dietary fiber, 12g sugar), 2g protein

Tags: Gifts, Family Friendly, Cooking with Kids, Make Ahead, American, Vegetarian

Note: We've provided special diet and nutritional information for educational purposes. But remember — we're cooks, not doctors! You should follow the advice of your health-care provider. And since product formulations change, check product labels for the most recent ingredient information. See our Terms of Service.