Perfect Cake Mix

By chelyc13

From Cake My Day - for projects in this book, you will be stacking cakes on top of cakes, cutting them into shapes,a nd covering them with frosting and candy. The addition of buttermilk to our perfect cake mix cake creates a firm cake that is the best base for decorating.

Ingredients

• 1 box (16.5oz) cake mix, such as yellow, french vanilla, devil's food, red velvet, spice, strawberry, or banana
• 3 large eggs (or the number of eggs called for on the box)
• 1 cup buttermilk (in place of the water called for on the box)
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil ( or the amount called for on the box)

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Line the bottom of the pans with wax paper cut to fit and spray with vegetable cooking spray.

2. Following the box's instructions, combine the cake mix, eggs, buttermilk, and oil in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened, about 30 seconds. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat, scraping down the sides, until thick, 2 minutes longer.

3. Spot at the point for projects calling for perfect cake mix batter and follow the instructions in the project. Otherwise, continue with the next step.

4. Divide the batter between the pans called for in the recipe, spread the batter to the edges, and smooth the ops. Follow the indicated baking times. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

5. Transfer the cakes to a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes. Invert, remove the pan or bowls and cool completely.

6. Cakes that are not used immediately may be wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen for up to 2 weeks.