I have had plenty of grocery store and bakery cakes, but I really prefer to make one at home. However, I’m not going to make one from scratch if I’m busy planning a party. I use box cake mixes and they always get rave reviews because I do something creative with them each time.
Add some fun to a box mix cake by adding:
- A can of mandarin oranges, syrup and all (or any small can of fruit!)
- Juice from a jar of maraschino cherries to any flavor cake
- A can of pie filling – don’t mix much, for a marbled effect with of pockets of fruit
- Any chopped, dried fruit
- Chocolate chips (this is great in a white or yellow cake!)
- Chopped nuts
Easy Filled Layer Cake: bake the cake mix in 2 round pans, then spread any kind of jelly, jam, or preserves between the layers as the filling. We found out that fig preserves is delicious!
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For one 9×13 cake, you need: 1 package cream cheese, softened Place softened cream cheese in a large bowl, and add a flavoring, such as vanilla extract, lemon or cherry juice, cinnamon, or whatever you have. Start mixing in the sugar, a little at a time. Keep adding sugar until the frosting is a consistency you like, then spread it over the cake with a rubber spatula. Be sure to write something on the cake or add sprinkles – whatever you have! |
We all are having a tough time making ends meet, and it is even more important now to celebrate the joys in life. Being frugal doesn’t mean that you have to give up everything, you just need to put a little more thought into what you do. Be creative and spend the time to make something fun.