Easy 2 Layer White Cake, the only cake recipe you’ll ever need!
Sometimes, the simplest things are just what we need. This 2-layer white cake the only cake recipe you’ll ever need. It’s easy to make and delivers a tender crumb you’ll love, bite after bite.
One bite and you won’t believe this started with a box mix! This might be the ultimate cake mix hack—no strange ingredients.
No artificial aftertaste, and none of that dense, gummy texture. Just a light, tender, truly delicious white cake!
Starting with a box cake mix gives this easy white cake an incredibly delicate crumb—soft but not overly fluffy. It has the texture of a perfect homemade bakery-style cake.
With a few simple pantry additions, you’ll have the best white cake recipe made with cake mix in the oven faster than you could prep a fully homemade cake from scratch.
Whether you’re baking for a birthday, wedding shower, or just craving a classic vanilla cake, this moist and tender white layer cake is sure to impress.
This cake recipe is simple and delicious and is sure to become your favorite two-tier white cake that you’ll make again and again.
I’ve made many white cake recipes, and this takes the stress away…
It all starts with a Duncan Hines White Cake Mix, then you add a few times in, and wow… You get a really great cake.
Now the flavor…
Keep it simple with vanilla or add in some almond, or lemon, or do what they call Princess Flavor and add all three, vanilla, almond, and lemon.
You might recognize that flavor when you’ve had bakery cakes and can’t quite put your finger on the flavor, it’s a combination that has plenty of great taste, but not one is more overwhelming than another.
Gather the ingredients
- white cake mix (Duncan Hines)
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- pinch salt
- water
- egg whites
- butter
- sour cream
- oil
- almond extract
- vanilla extract
- optional: lemon extract/baking emulsion
I always use baking strips on my 8-inch round cake pans.
Let’s get into why…
Why use baking strips?
Because it ensures the cake will bake evenly, nice a flat, no need to trim cakes. No dome, cakes won’t overbake since the edges won’t overbake quickly, and the center won’t rise above them.
The cakes are nice and flat and will look great, taste great, and be easier to frost when stacking cakes. Baking strips can be found here.
Prepare your pans for even baked layers with no dome, use baking strips, and spray pans with a baking spray, a mix of oil and flour.
Don’t forget to have enough cake pans. And if you want a bigger cake… more layers, check this cake out!
Now let’s make the batter
Mix up the batter and pour it into your prepared pans for baking.
Be sure your oven is at the proper temperature so that cakes bake evenly and won’t be too dark.
Allow the cakes to cool for 5-10 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack to completely cool.
If you like a more dense cake, wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate or freeze them overnight; the moisture in the cakes will be absorbed into the cake, and the cake will then have a tighter crumb.
The cake without freezing does have a great texture. I refrigerate the cake as I layer it with the frosting so the cake doesn’t slide.
It helps to firm up the cake nicely without a super dense crumb.
Slice and eat-
A nice serrated knife and server will help you serve up this cake in style!
How do you make a box cake taste like a bakery cake?
The addition of sour cream with the box mix gives the perfect texture of the cake to replicate a deliciously fresh baked cake from a nice bakery.
How can I make white cake mix taste better?
The additions in this recipe somehow remove the processed flavor that can come with a box mix, it’s simple, everyday ingredients, and it’s so great to have a simple recipe to use anytime you want an easy white cake.
How can I make a box cake taste homemade?
The addition of sugar, flour, sour cream, and melted butter gives this cake the perfect homemade texture and taste.
The frosting I used is Sour Cream Frosting- recipe added in recipe card under cake recipe card
- This cake will also taste great with just about any of my frosting recipes,
- How about cream cheese frosting?
- chocolate Swiss meringue frosting,
- strawberry buttercream,
- Or how about chocolate malt frosting!
I decorated this cake with fresh camomile flowers.
You can choose to add 1-2 teaspoons of lemon extract for a fresh lemon flavor, but I’d omit the almond extract in that case, but still add vanilla.
Use this lemon baking emulsion, which is my favorite to the cake and the frosting recipe for a really fresh lemon flavor.
You can opt to keep it all almond flavor… then add toasted sliced almonds on top or just along the sides of the cake while the frosting is soft so they will stick. Then place it in the fridge to firm up nicely.
Or go with a classic vanilla. Use a delicious vanilla extract for the best flavor. I like THIS vanilla extract best, and their vanilla bean paste is wonderful too. All vanilla extracts are not created equal, they can actually taste very different, some taste like alcohol more than vanilla. they should smell amazing, it’ll really make a huge difference in your baked items.
2 Layer White Almond Sour Cream Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix Duncan Hines 15.25oz do not follow the directions on the package
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- pinch salt
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 4 egg whites from large eggs
- 4 oz butter, melted which is 1/2 cup
- 1 cup sour cream which is 8 oz
- 2 tablespoons oil I use avocado oil, vegetable or canola would work as well
- 1 teaspoon almond extract or almond baking emulsion
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
optional
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract or lemon baking emulsion
Instructions
- Prepare two 8″ round cake pans. Use a baking spray or use a thin coating of shortening and flour, then wrap the pans with wet baking strips to ensure evenly baked cakes.
- In a large bowl with a mixer add all the ingredients in the order they are listed. Cake mix, flour, sugar, salt, water, egg whites, butter, sour cream, oil, almond, and vanilla flavors. For a more intense flavor cake you can use more vanilla or lemon, but with almond more is often too much.
- Mix on low speed until the mix starts blending, then turn onto medium speed and mix for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl and under the beater after the first minute to be sure they combine fully, then continue mixing until well blended.
- Pour the cake batter evenly amongst the two pans and tap the pans gently on the counter so the batter is level in the pans.
- Bake at 335° (not 325° and not 350° for a well-risen cake that isn’t dark in color). I have the oven rack set just above the center and it bakes evenly.
- I start timing the cakes at 30 minutes, then I test them about every 5 minutes until they are just set and a toothpick comes out clean when tested in the center of the bake.
- Remove the cakes from the oven, and allow them to cool for 10 minutes.
- Then turn the cakes out onto a cooling rack to cool them completely.
- Then refrigerate or freeze the cakes so they will stack well and not slide. They don’t need to be completely cold or frozen thru, you just want them to be firm so they hold up well when stacked and won’t slide.
- Prepare the frosting, I used a batch of my sour cream frosting, added a thin layer of frosting in the middle, and top, and gave it a thin rough coating around the sides.
Sour Cream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar add more for thicker frosting
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- In the bowl of a mixer cream butter until smooth and add in the sour cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla, and whip until fully combined and smooth.
- Use more powdered sugar for a thicker frosting or add a little milk to make it thinner.
Looking for a chocolate cake…
Give this one a try… chocolate cake mix hack, check it out here.
My triple layer error was probably due to the fact I make( tried) it Chantilly style. I think the fruit layers were too much weight. Every other box checked. I call it correctly on a rack and I also had layers it in the fridge overnight covered in Saran wrap. Anyway would really love to be able to incorporate this recipe into an apple cider cake (something with fall flavors). ❤️
Yes, fruit can really effect cake and how stable it is.
To make this into an apple cider (or apple juice) flavor cake, use apple cider in place of water, add 2 teaspoons of cinnamon or pumpkin spice flavor, give it a taste and add more if needed.
Loved this cake. Don’t make my mistake and try to go triple layer. Mine completely fell apart AFTER it was frosted and decorated. Flavor was still outstanding and we all just grabbed bowls My question is : can this basic recipe work for all flavor box mixes? How would you adjust the recipe?
Hi, I’ve made this cake into 5 layers without any issues. When making layer cakes, it’s best to prepare the cake ahead of time and freeze the layers so they stack nicely and the cake hold together, room temperature cake crumbles easily. I’m assuming that is what happened as cakes don’t fall apart on their own, unless not completely cooled, chilled and then stacked.
This recipes doesn’t work all all varieties of cake, as this recipe is specific to the white cake, no egg yolks. I’m working on a chocolate version and other varieties to follow soon.
Here is the link to the 5 layer version. https://www.createdby-diane.com/2022/04/white-sour-cream-cake.html
I’m excited to try this recipe, but what are “baking strips” mentioned in step one to prep the pans?
Baking strips ensure the cakes bake evenly Ana fla, you wet them, then wrap and secure them sound outside baking pans. Here’s a link to them https://amzn.to/3wFzjVW
Alternatively you can cut strips of a terry cloth towel wet and pin them. It’s a game changer since without them cakes often get a round dome in the center and quick over bakes edges. The cake will be more evenly baked.
Made the cupcake version of this recipe, making again this week for daughter’s any shower. Loved the texture and flavor. It’s a girl! White cupcakes with pink vanilla buttercream roses, making these for that special an event proves how confident I am that they will be delicious!
What do I need to do to convert this to baking in a bunt pan?
The baking. Time will take longer to bake in a bundt, start testing at 50 minutes.
Do to dietary restrictions, can apple sauce be substituted for sour cream? Do you have another recommendation aside from sour cream? Thanks
Sorry I don’t I haven’t made it with any other options yet.
I just finished making this cake and it is incredible!! Mine had a slight texture of angel food cake but it was so delicious!! I would definitely recommend this one!!! Thanks!!
I’m happy you mentioned trying the recipe AS written first. It drives me crazy when I see people leaving reviews for recipes ( good or bad) that they added this or that or reduced this or that …”sorry but you just reviewed an entirely different recipe.” 😂 great cake btw thank you
Do you use a 15.25 ounce cake mix?
Yes, 15.25 oz is the size of the Duncan Hines cake mix box.
Does your sour cream frosting need to be refrigerated?
Yes, it should be refrigerated. Removing from fridge to bring to room temperature before serving, just as you would a cream cheese frosting.
Can I replace the water with milk? I’ve heard it makes the cake more moist.
I would not adjust this recipe without making it first. This cake is moist and delicious just the way the recipe it written. If you use milk it will be heavy, it also could not rise as well. Always make a recipe as written first before adjusting so you know if you like the recipe, this recipe has been tested many times to ensure a great cake in taste and texture 🙂
I have serious reservations about this recipe. I have baked a ton of cakes over the years, many white using egg whites. In my experience, using butter, oil or as you call for sour cream, that won’t make the cake rise. It will fall like a pancake as the grease keeps the whites from giving rise to the batter. Adding flour and sugar will make it heavy and gritty. Is this meant to be a pound cake? It just won’t be lite the way you list those ingredients.
This cake has a great light texture not heavy/dense like pound cake. The recipe may not be what you are used to, but that certainly doesn’t mean it won’t turn out wonderful or have a heavy texture. And many people say this is by far the best white cake they’ve ever had every single time I make it. There is leavening agents in the ingredients in the Duncan Hines Cake mix. This recipe has been tested many times before posting 🙂
Do you have baking recommendations if I make this as cupcakes?
Here is the post for this recipe for cupcakes https://www.createdby-diane.com/2023/02/white-almond-sour-cream-cupcakes-wasc.html
If you use the lemon extract, do you leave out the almond extract?
I don’t prefer lemon and almond together. So if adding lemon to the cake, I’d use all lemon or lemon and vanilla which is delicious.
I hesitated at first until I read your recipe and saw DH cake mix, I was sold on your recipe. Over 52 yrs. ago my husband’s next door neighbor’s mother made wedding cakes and she made ours w/ fountain and all (at that time was unique). She only used DH and I started using when baking our children’s cakes. Compliments, delicious tasting, moist – a winner!!!
YAY!!! So happy you liked it, and I love hearing stories like that!
Happy Baking ~Diane
Can I substitute milk for the water? I’ve heard adding milk makes for a homemade cake taste.
Or will it change the texture?
Thanks, Rita
I have not made this recipe with milk. My best suggestion is to make the recipe as written, it’s absolutely delicious, if after that you still feel it need to change then try the milk, milk will change it not only taste but texture, with the added sugar and protein in the milk, it might be “gummy” or heavy, as I mentioned I don’t use milk in this recipe. I bake a lot and have made many cakes, you’d be surprised how 1 change can alter the whole cake. It’s always best to try the recipe as written, then go ahead and test other versions if you don’t prefer the original recipe, but why change the recipe if you haven’t tried it as intended, you may not like the change but won’t know if the recipe was successful if you don’t make it as written. I hope that helps, I get asked these types of questions often. Lots of people change recipes before trying then, then think the recipe “failed” but without making it as written when it comes to baking, there are so many things that cane change with just one adjustment.
Let me know how you like that cake 🙂
Do you use salted or unsalted butter?
I use salted butter as I prefer it, but use the butter of your preference, if you don’t prefer salt use unsalted.
Hello! I’m tasked with baking a three tiered wedding cake with 4 layers in each tier. How high is the baked layer in each pan? Is it high enough to torte into at least 2 x one inch layers?
thank you!
I used 8″ round cake pans that are 2″ high, the cake layers bake up to the top, so they are 2″ thick and can be cut to make thinner layers.
If you don’t need this to be a white cake can you use whole eggs rather than just egg whites?
I haven’t tried it but, adding the yolks will change the texture of the cake.
I was taught in a cake decorating class years ago to add vanilla, almond, and butter extract. It’s loved by everyone, tastes just like a bakery that used to be here that was loved by all and still talked about!
I made this cake over weekend and put devinity icing on it and then covered with coconut and it was so good, so most. I wished I had had this recipe years ago when I was decorating and selling cakes. THANKS!!
Sounds like a delicious combo! I love this cake recipe, and yes, I wish I used it years ago as well 🙂
This is the best cake ever!!!!! I have also made it into jumbo muffins and frosted with a Crisco frosting for a birthday cake. The muffins were to die for. So soft and melt in your mouth. Also adapted the recipe for a red velvet cake. I must say when you created this recipe you knew how to make it the best.
Hello! Would it be ok if I use the Duncan Hines butter cake mix? I can’t find a white cake mix 😱
I haven’t used it, and have no idea if it’ll taste more “artificial” but if you use it let me know how it turns out, also white cake uses egg whites, other varieties use whole eggs for taste/ texture, so there may be some additional differences.
Have you ever made this as a sheet cake?
I haven’t yet, but it’ll fill a 9×13 plus have about 2 cups extra batter, you can make 6″ round or a few cupcakes. the cake should be baked for 23-28 minutes or until a toothpick. comes out clean. If you bake it in a 9×13 let me know how it goes 🙂
Happy baking ~Diane
I made this cake and icing for Easter and I’m just going to say this is the best cake I have ever had! I received so many compliments!
Thank you!
I’m so happy to hear that!!!! Happy Easter 🙂
Could you use this recipe with any flavor cake mix? I did try lemon and it was good! Wondered about chocolate?
I’m sure you could, I just haven’t gotten around to making more flavors. My preference for chocolate cake is this recipe with a box mix. https://www.createdby-diane.com/2023/03/chocolate-cake-mix-2-layer-cake.html
I really like the texture and richness for the chocolate cake without it having a fake flavor but I don’t like this method for other flavors.
Great cake, I just loved the texture and flavor. No one knew it came from a cake mix.
Do you have any recommendations for high altitude baking. I use Duncan Hines whit cake mixes all the time but I add 1/3 cup of flour. I also bake them at 350.
I don’t have high-altitude baking experience, but have heard more flour and less sugar so it doesn’t sink is the trick. It sounds like adding flour or reducing some sugar would help. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful. If you figure it out, let me know 🙂 I’m sure there are curious as well who bake at high altitude.
Good Luck!
The first ingredient in a box cake is always sugar and your recipe calls for adding another whole cup …is that right ?
Yes, this recipe is written correctly. Sugar not only adds sweetness to cake, but moisture as well. I know it might seem like a lot, but the cake is delicious and not overly sugary once baked, you’re also increasing the flour and adding sour cream… it turns out no on thinks it’s from a box mix 🙂 it’s a great hack to use on a white cake mix, I’ve even been asked numerous times to make wedding cakes for people when they’ve tasted it, I decline, and over the entire engagements they continued to ask, and they are also people who prefer homemade (not box cakes) so give it a try and tell me what you think 😉