If you’re out of flour, eggs, butter, or oil, you can still make cake using a box of cake mix and just one other pantry staple. In this post, I share four ways to make easy 2 ingredient cake mix cake.
I know flour is still hard to find these days. But boxed cake mix is still fairly easy to buy. And you don’t even need to add the eggs and oil usually required to go along with the mix to make your cake.
Over the years, I’ve experimented with a lot of different ways to use boxed cake mix. In this post I share my favorite cake mix cake recipes.
White/Yellow Cake Mix + Applesauce
Instead of eggs and oil, applesauce is used as the replacement. This recipe works best with white and yellow cake mix. It will not work with chocolate cake mix without some adjustments to the recipe. The cake comes out very moist. You can also add a little bit of cinnamon to enhance the flavor.
Cake Mix + Club Soda/Sparkling Water
This works with any cake mix flavor. I like chocolate the best.
Chocolate Cake Mix + Soda
I previously shared my 2 Ingredient Chocolate Coke Cake, but it can be made with any soda flavor. The cake comes out incredibly fluffy. This recipe works best with chocolate cake mix.
Cake Mix + Greek Yogurt + Water
Technically this cake requires 3 ingredients, but the third ingredient is water. It can be made without the water but I didn’t like the results as much. This can be made with any flavor cake mix. I have made it with lemon, red velvet and chocolate.
2 Ingredient Cake Mix Cake (4 Ways)
Ingredients
2 Ingredient Applesauce Cake
- 1 (15.25 oz) box white or yellow cake mix
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 Ingredient Coke Cake
- 1 (15.25 oz) box chocolate cake mix
- 1 (12 oz) can coke or other flavored soda
2 Ingredient Club Soda Cake
- 1 (15.25 oz) box cake mix (any flavor)
- 1 1/2 cups club soda or sparkling water
3 Ingredient Healthier Cake Mix Cake
- 1 (15.25 oz) box cake mix (any flavor)
- 1 cup nonfat plain Greek strained yogurt
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease the interior of a 9 inch x 13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, add cake ingredients. Mix with a whisk until batter is smooth. Pour cake batter into prepared cake pan. Bake for about 30 minutes or until cake is done.
Notes
- The applesauce cake will not work with chocolate cake mix because the batter will be too dry.
- The chocolate coke cake works best with chocolate cake mix. Other cake mixes come out too sweet with the soda.
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
Very nice
Should be very nice!!
We hope you try it!
Like it
We’re glad you liked it!
Great, I liked
That’s great!
I used the applesauce with a yellow cake mix n put some cinnamon in it as well it was very thin when I put in pan hope it rises a bit by the time it’s done I used the standard 9/13 pan. I did this recipe bc I have a tub of caramel apple frosting so figured this would taste well. Ty for the recipe I’m starting to love cooking n my husband is very happy n impressed with the recipes I’ve made so far so I’m just a beginner and I’ms loving it!!!
We hope you both enjoyed it!
Hi Kirbie, I’m from Hong Kong and the weight of the cake mix is less. Want to know the ratio of the cake mix and the soda, is it 1:1? Thank you.
It’s not 1:1 – the boxed cake mixes we use are 15.25 ounces (approximately 432 grams), can you weigh out that amount of cake mix? That might be the best way to do it.
Love all these recipes…thanks for the great ideas. Love the 3 ingredient cookies with no flour
We’re happy you’re enjoying the recipes!
Thanks! I never would have though to leave out the eggs. It’s a lot heavier than regular, but that only makes it better. I’ve also tried it with adding a small pack of Jello pudding mix and another half cup of applesauce. That way, I got a flavored cake, too. Excellent!
We’re glad you’re enjoying the recipe!
Hi Mike just wondering what kind of cake n what kind of jello u used???
I have used a can of pure pumpkin and a box or spice cake (but I like it with white or yellow cake better) you can also add water
That’s a great idea!
Hi there
Thank you so much for your recipes. They’re fabulous. Just wanted to know if I could swap out the Greek yogurt for sour cream?
Again, thank you
We haven’t tried that, but let us know if you do and how it works!
Dear Jennifer very good ideas for using cake mix
Regards
Thanks so much! We hope you try some of these ideas.
Would the Chocolate Coke cake work with a vanilla mix and ginger ale (or even 7-Up)?
We think that should work – let us know how it turns out!
I used vanilla Greek yogurt and water to make a boxed white cake mix. This is a total diet hack! The cake doesn’t rise as much, almost has a pound cake like texture, but it is incredible. You could serve this to your family and no one would say it tastes amiss. Yum!!!
We’re so glad you loved it!
Sounds easy to which i will try.
Let us know what you think!
Can this be made in a bundt pan?
We haven’t tried it, but we recommend using a 10-cup bundt pan if you do. Let us know how it works!
Looks delicious!!
Thank you!
Great idea.
Love the convenience of the recipes
Can you do some recipes with little or no sugar for diabetics
Everybody gets to eat the cakes except me !!
You might like some of our Keto Recipes!
White cake mix with Fanta strawberry (with cream cheese icing) was really good.
That sounds amazing!
We have made the applesauce cake since I was a kid, I’m 65 now, it works well with a spice cake mix also. Plus we’d put applesauce on top of the cake after it’s cooled some, make a sweet egg white meragine if we had eggs and sugar and it was really good. Used pumpkin in alot of cake mixes also.
All of those ideas sound great!
I’m going to try this . Thanks for the recipe .
We hope you enjoy it!
How would you make a light frosting for this cake? It tastes great with cheery cola soda and is fine without frosting but I’d like to have one to try. Many thanks in advance!
For a light frosting, we like whipped cream frosting but any kind of frosting you like should work fine.
Has anyone tried a SF yellow cake mix with Zero Big Red?
Could you use spice cake mix with root beer soda?
That sounds like an interesting combo – let us know how it works!
I have used the angel food cake mix with crushed pineapple & it works great. Also I like the angel food cake mix with chopped canned apples & 1/2 t. apple pie spice. My uncle was diabetic. I used the apples with Splenda in them. He could eat this & loved it!
Thanks for those tips!
Has anyone or do you know if I can substitute a can of soda in my box cake mix for egg or do I use the soda to replace everything in my cake mix
You can use soda and that’s it – just mix it with the cake mix.
The applesauce works for cupcakes. Use 1 box cake mix (Not chocolate) and 1 cup unsweetened applesauce. Mix well, Fill cup cake tin 2/3 full. Bake 350F for 20 minutes, or until lightly browned on top. So moist and delicious!!!
That’s a great tip! Thanks for letting us know.
I have also used Betty Crocker angel food box cake mix (has just one packet inside) and one 20 oz. Can crushed pineapple. Mix the 2 in a big bowl, it will fizz up. Pour in 13×9 pan. 350 for 30″. I have added strawberries or maraschino cherries to it. I’ve greased the pan & not greased the pan. Either way worked fine.
Thanks for sharing that!
Got a real bad sugar problem, may I substitute CAFFEINE FREE DIET COKE I
in chocolate e mix
It should work fine.
Can any of these recipes work as cupcakes? If so, what temp and cooking time? Thank you
Sorry, we haven’t tried making cupcakes so can’t say how the baking time would need to be adjusted.
Hi, I’m always looking at all your recipes. And, today I came across your 2 – ingredients cake mix . So, one question, I have a lemon cake mix that needs to be used soon. Can that flavor be used with unsweetened applesauce? Or, give me some suggestions. Thanks, Kathy
That should work!
Try 7 up with the lemon cake..I have heard that is amazing.
Love that idea!
Hi. Is this an American site. I am not used to the term box cake mix. Is it ok to use standard cake mix?
Also I prefer ounces to cups for accuracy.
Thanks Liz
Most standard-sized American cake mixes are 15.25 ounces. Hope that helps!
I made the chocolate cake with coke last weekend and it was Amazing:)
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
These are Great!
Cake mix and canned Pumpkin (NOT Pumpkin pie filling) also is yummy especially with spice cake or chocolate cake mix!!!
Love those ideas!
Can you use a can of crushed pineapples and a box of pineapple cake mix.
We haven’t tried crushed pineapple – only applesauce. Let us know if you do and how it works!
Hi could you please.send me the no yeast dinner.rolls recipe please as.i missed that. Ps your recipes are amazing I have tried several. Kind regards Julie
Here you go: No Yeast Dinner Rolls
I was wondering if I could get the recipe for the vanilla icing for the 2 ingredient cake? It looks different than a buttercream.
It’s a whipped cream frosting – you’ll need three to four cups depending on how much frosting you like.
You can also use 1 can of pumpkin to one box of chocolate cake mix. It only works with chocolate bc the pumpkin will color the lighter mixes
Thanks for sharing that!
Can you use sweetened applesauce instead of unsweetened Applesauce or any other applesauce like sweetened straberry in the white boxed cake mix?
Strawberry applesauce would work – as far as sweetened or unsweetened, it really depends on how sweet you want your cake. It may be too sweet if you use sweetened. Hope that helps!
Thank you for these quick recipes. Can’t wait to try one.
Let us know what you think when you do!
Can diet soda be used?? Instead of regular. I was thinking chocolate cake with diet cherry coke
yes diet soda works
What size pan works best for the two ingredient cakes?
9×13″ baking pan is best.
These cakes are so yummy and so quick and easy to make,perfect for busy mums.
We’re so glad you love them!
Send me the ingredients of water cake
The ingredients are listed in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Hi Jennifer
I really like your treats and I will buy the ingredients and try it and I’ll come back to you
We hope you enjoy the recipe!
Can u tell me if I can use vanilla yogurt instead of greek don’t like that? Perhaps in a chocolate cake or what flavor do u suggest?
Thx
We’ve only tried it with Greek yogurt. It’s usually thicker than regular yogurt so we can’t say how that will work.
I m going to try the water cake & the chocolate.
We hope you enjoy them!
Wow I am so glad I came across your information yesterday. I haven’t tied any recipes yet but just reading the simplicity of ingredients, I was sold. I like the lack of sugar and reduced baking and cooking times. Wow people with health issues , diet restrictions should really get to know about your genius in eating healthy yet delicious ?. Thank you
We hope you try the recipes!
I’m going to make dis cake fr d coming Easter weekend thanks fr sharing n God bless
Enjoy!
Can I use the appl sauce with Strawberry cake mix or cupcakes ?? Or with the keto cake mix ?
Sorry, but we haven’t tried it – let us know if you do and how it worked!
I’ve make the Yellow Cake Mix with Applesauce and a Chocolate Cake Mix with Greek Yogurt and Water. Both came out very good, moist, fluffy, and delicious! My wife is not a “cake person,” but I am and I enjoy a piece of cake with coffee, tea, or milk after a meal. She liked both of these cakes and we both found them to be very tasty and moist. I shall search through more of your wonderful recipes! (The “French Apple Cake” within your website sounds spectacular!)
We’re so glad you’re enjoying the recipes!
I just made the 2 ingredient cake mix with applesauce. It was so soft and tasty. I was skeptical to try it but it really worked. I’m going to add strawberries and lite whipped topping. It has 9 weight watchers points per slice.
Thank for the recipe!
Pam
So glad you loved it!
I tried the applesauce band cake mix recipe. I added pumpkin spice and raisins. Very tasty, but I need some vanilla ice cream to go with it.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Tried the 2 ingredient cake mix with unsweetened applesauce. Delicious. Thank you so much. I have tried the sugar free cake mix with sugar free orange soda, that’s good too especially for people with diabetes.
Thanks for letting us know you enjoyed the recipe!
Can I make these using a Bundt pan instead of a q”13×9” pan?
A 10 to 12 cup bundt pan may work but the baking time will be different. Without testing it, we can’t give a good recommendation for that.
Can you mix in finely chopped apples to the applesauce cake?
We haven’t tried it, but mixing in finely chopped ones will probably work well. Let us know if you try it!
If you are eliminating the eggs and oil, do you have any idea about the calories per spice?
Sorry, but we don’t have the nutrition information for desserts at this time. There are several free online nutrition calculators you can use to get this info.
Can I use nuts in one of the cakes and make it a 3 ingredient cake?
Yes, it shouldn’t be a problem to add nuts – we recommend finely chopping them and folding them into the batter.
I tried to open the video it doesn’t wok I will try
Thank u for sharing
Excellent, Second to non.
I’m glad you enjoyed!
Can I use 8×8 pan, it would just be higher and thicker right?
Yes, and you would need to bake it longer. We haven’t tested this so can’t say for sure how it will turn out.
I love this site!!
Oh, thanks! We’re happy you’re enjoying it.
Can you use a flavored yogurt with white cake mix?
We think using a flavored Greek Yogurt should work fine!
Can you use Diet Coke
It should work but the cake may have a little bit different flavor from the artificial sugar in the soda.
KIRBIE,
CAN YOU SUBSTITUTE 1 CUP OF KEFIR INSTEAD OF USING ONE CUP OF YOGURT.
Sorry, but we haven’t tested that in the recipe.
1 box cake mix and 1 can of pumpkin puree works to. Just mix any cake with the pumpkin omitting the box ingredients, put in greased 9×13 and bake according to directions. You can’t even taste the pumpkin.
Thanks for sharing that! We’ll have to give it a try.
Buy the spice cake mix and add 1 can of pumpkin…..so good….add a light cream cheese frosting and it is amazing.
Thanks for sharing that!
I’m so thankful to u that I can get better knowledge of making pastries and cakes. Only little thing s using. So I can give to best quality but can less price. I’m planning to open a cafeteria in pilipin. Or Canada. So please send me more. I’m so much appreciate you r sending me daily.
I made the yellow cake with apple sauce and I added some cinnamon and pumpkin spice. It was so delicious and so quick and easy, my family loved it??
I’m so glad your family loved it!
Have you tried a gluten free cake mix?
I have not
Thank you for sharing these alternatives! Besides working as a last minute hack or way of eliminated eggs & oil from a diet, these are also VERY useful for food banks. Often, people who utilize food banks don’t have eggs & oil. By donating a can of frosting, a box mix & applesauce or club soda, you can help a family make a birthday cake.
I hadn’t thought of that. Thank you for sharing this information!
Does it have to be unsweetened applesauce or can it just be regular?
it can be regular but your cake will be quite sweet
I’m trying the Apple sauce in a carrot cake I just put in oven. I am so glad to find this website because I’m always out of something and I don’t drive anymore I’m legally blind. Thank you so much.
I hope you enjoy!
With the yellow cake and applesauce do you still add the water that’s on the box? Or is it just the Apple sauce and mix?
no you don’t need to add water or any other ingredients on the box. You just use the cake mix.
Is there a recipe for angel food cake and diet soda?
I dont have one
the one step angel food cake mix can be combined with crushed pineapple ( don’t grease the pan).
Thanks for sharing that!
Can you use diet coke?
yes
Can you use brownie mix instead of chocolate cake mix?
it will not work the same
I made this today with white cake mix unsweetened applesauce and added cinnamon. I also sprinkled cinnamon on the top of the cake. It came out moist and delicious.
I’m so glad it worked out well!
I’m so glad I found this post! We are trying to limit our consumption of both eggs and oil, so this is perfect. Thanks for all of your experimentation!
I hope you enjoy the recipes!
Great with the coke thanks
I’m glad it worked out for you!
Can you tell me what brand of strained greek yogurt you use
We use Fage or Kirkland.
Does this work with brownie mix by any chance? hmmm…
It does not work the same with brownie mix
I tried to use brownie mix that included chocolate chips. It was so disgustingly sweet I end up tossing it. My husband who eats everything didn’t like it. Definitely use chocolate cake mix.
Yes brownie mix is definitely not the same as cake mix. Brownie mix is much sweeter and concentrated.
Great idea! But you forgot somegthing very important! That’s right, the icing!!!! LOL what can you suggest for pantry staples icing?
powdered sugar and water or powdered sugar and milk will create a basic icing. or you can also just dust the cake with powdered sugar.
Knowing the right sized pan would be great. I am assuming 9 x 13 for a sheet cake, yes?
And by ‘prepared’ you mean both greased AND floured? or just greased?
I think you missed reading step 1 which tells you to grease the pan. It does not need to be floured.
The cake pan size is stated in step 1 of the instructions for the recipe. And yes it is a 9 x 13.
Have “downsized” and really just wanted small stuff to have around. tried making these cakes in ramekins in toaster oven, worked great! Just enough for one night at time, used “jiffy” mixes ,,made two small cakes. Tried cherry cola with chocolate cake mix, used cherry preserves with icing , made a black forest cake,,, sort of
Thanks for letting us know!
Will this work with gluten free cake mix
I have not tried with gluten free cake mix