These French vanilla cake mix ideas are a change from the ordinary. If you are ready to use up that box of vanilla cake mix, and want to make something different, then take a peek at the end of the page.
COCONUT POUND CAKE
1 box French vanilla cake mix
1 small box instant coconut cream pudding mix
4 eggs
1 cup water
1/3 vegetable oil
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup homemade powdered sugar
2 TBS milk
coconut for garnish
PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 10-inch Bundt pan.
Combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water and oil in large mixing bowl. Beat at medium speed with electric mixer for 2 minutes. Fold in 1 cup coconut. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 25 minutes. Invert onto serving plate. Mix sugar and milk in small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with additional coconut, if desired.
Tip
Garnish the top of the cake with toasted coconut. To toast coconut, spread on baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 3 minutes. Stir and bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until light golden brown.
My next vanilla cake mix idea is another kid friendly recipe – so easy they could be made by a five year old.
VANILLA CAKE MIX COOKIES
1 box French vanilla cake mix
1 large egg
1/3 cup canola (or vegetable) oil
Mix ingredients well till no lumps remain. Stir in 1 cup of your favorite candy pieces, chocolate chips, dried fruit, or nuts. Cover and chill while heating oven to 350 degrees.
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto parchment paper lined cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake approx 9 to 12 minutes – check at 9 minutes and keep an eye on them. Cool 2 minutes on sheet and then transfer to a rack or foil lined counter top. Store covered.
Important
You really need to keep these cookies 2 inches apart as you place them on the cookie sheet. You may only get six cookies, but if you bake them close together, they will spread and stick to each other.
French Vanilla Cake Mix Ideas
If you are in a hurry and need to make a quick dessert, then look no further. These quick recipes (sweets too) are really fun to make and taste great.
I recommend (I’m partial to Pillsbury):
Pillsbury Super Moist French Vanilla box cake mix – goes for a dollar and some change at Wal-Mart, or use your own favorite mix.
The first recipe of my vanilla cake mix ideas involves a little coconut.
COCONUT CREAM CAKE
1 French Vanilla cake mix
1 container French vanilla frosting
can of cream of coconut
bag of shredded coconut
Bake the cake according to the directions on the cake box and bake it in a 9×13 inch pan. After it comes out of the oven, drizzle the cream of coconut over the cake and top with coconut.
My next French vanilla cake mix idea is for bars and they are delicious.
FRENCH VANILLA MACAROON BARS From Cake Mix
1 (18.25 ounce) box moist French vanilla cake mix
1/3 cup homemade unsalted butter
2 tablespoons water
1 tsp homemade pure vanilla extract
1 egg
1-1/2 cups flaked coconut
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees, and spray a 9×13 inch pan.
Combine the cake mix and butter. Cut butter in with a fork until it resembles coarse crumbs. Mix all remaining ingredients, except chocolate chips.
Pour the batter into the pan. Bake for 16-22 minutes. Cool 15 minutes.
In a small saucepan over low heat melt chocolate chips until stirring consistency. Drizzle over cake. Cool for 1 1/2 hours.
Cut into bars – Makes 24
Here’s another vanilla cake mix idea – easy and tasty.
CHESS SQUARES FROM CAKE MIX
1 box French vanilla cake mix
4 eggs
1 lb (16 oz) homemade powdered sugar
1 stick (1/2 cup) homemade unsalted butter, melted
1 box (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
PREHEAT oven to 325 degrees and grease a 9×13 inch pan.
In a bowl, add the vanilla cake mix, butter and egg – press into prepared pan.
Mix cream cheese, 3 eggs and powdered sugar and pour this over cake mix. Bake for 35 minutes.
This vanilla cake mix idea is a great way to have kids (or big kids) create their own cookies. See photo above. I added oatmeal and coconut.
MAKE YOUR OWN PERSONAL COOKIE from Cake Mix
1 (18.25 ounce) box cake mix (no pudding)
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
COOKIE IDEAS
Mix or match the following:
6 oz miniature milk chocolate chips (dark or white chocolate)
6 oz butterscotch chips
6 oz peanut butter chips
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup dried cranberries
6 oz white chocolate chips
1/2 cup cinnamon chips
1 apple, grated
2/3 cup chopped walnuts (or your own favorite nut)
6 oz M & M’s
6 oz chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter cups
1 candy bar, chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped dried apricots
You get the idea.
PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees and you will need a ungreased cookie sheet.
Combine the cake mix, eggs and oil. Mix well and add the ingredients you like – mix in. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto cookie sheet. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes.
Do you love chocolate? Here is an example to use for a chocolate cake mix. If you want, you can use peanut butter morsels, frost them with peanut butter, or eat the peanut butter right out of the jar (I love peanut butter). See above for more cookie ideas.
CHOCOLATE COOKIES from Chocolate Cake Mix
box (18.25oz) chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup homemade unsalted butter
1/4 cup homemade brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 cup chocolate chips
PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl, combine cake mix, butter, brown sugar and eggs by hand. Fold in the chocolate chips and drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Bring out of the oven and let cookies set on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
Recipe adapted from AllRecipes.com