I have tried my fair share of cake mix "hacks" and they have always been disappointing. This easy doctored chocolate cake truly does feature just 3 simple ingredients and turns out perfectly every single time. I honestly don't make cake mixes any other way now thanks to the secret addition of coconut milk.
About this Easy Doctored Chocolate Cake
For this recipe, all you need is one chocolate cake mix, a can of coconut milk, and eggs. Since coconut milk is so high in fat, it is a perfect substitution for the water and vegetable oil in the standard recipe. The nice thing is you don't even need to measure since it uses the entire can. Common cake mix hacks may include the following:
- Adding an extra egg (I find it makes the cake dry)
- Adding pudding mix (I find it makes the cake gummy and dense)
- Adding sour cream or Greek yogurt (I find it alters the taste)
- Swapping butter for vegetable oil (I find this makes the cake dry)
Cake mixes are very forgiving and generally allow for adaptations, but my version has yielded the best results from my experience. This cake hack creates a moist, tender cake with a subtle flavor of coconut. Everyone thinks it is homemade!
Recipe FAQs & Tips for Success
Yes! Any type of cake mix may be used for this recipe, including funfetti, chocolate, white or yellow, or even spice cake mix.
Ideally, use a 15.25 ounce chocolate cake mix for the recipe. Pillsbury and most store brands are still this size. I do NOT recommend using Betty Crocker mixes which have decreased to 13.25 ounces.
From my testing, the cakes made with one less egg than what the package calls for have turned out the softest and most moist.
Yes, this cake works really great as a sheet cake, cupcakes, or bundt cake. Follow the bake times listed on the back of your cake mix.
Feel free to use whatever frosting recipe or even store-bought frosting. However, I find that this fudge frosting works great with this chocolate cake:
Easy Doctored Chocolate Cake (3 ingredients)
Equipment
- 1 bundt pan or 9x13 inch cake pan
Ingredients
- 1 15.25-ounce chocolate cake mix
- 1 13.5-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
- 2-3 eggs (use 1 egg less than what the package calls for)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F or the temperature stated on the back of your cake mix.
- Prepare pan by greasing with cooking spray or lining with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cake mix, coconut milk, and eggs. Using a wire whisk or an electric mixer, mix until the batter is combined and smooth (about 1 minute).
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake your cake or cupcakes for the time listed on the back of your cake mix. Once baked, let cool before frosting with your favorite frosting recipe.
Notes
I can’t wait to try this!