Jacques Torres Says This One Ingredient Can Transform Boxed Cake Mix
Boxed cake mix lives in the back of the pantry for good reason: it’s reliable, fast, and usually delicious. But on the days when you want something that feels a little more like you made it, Jacques Torres has a suggestion: treat the box as a starting point, not the final word. In a recent Kitchn article, Jacques Torres shared easy ways to improve both the flavor and texture.
One of his suggestions is adding an extra egg, which gives the cake a richer, moister crumb. For chocolate cake, he recommends stirring in espresso to deepen the flavor and bring out the chocolate.
These small adjustments take very little effort, but make a noticeable difference. The extra egg adds softness and richness, while the espresso boosts the chocolate without making the cake taste like coffee. The result is a cake that feels more balanced and flavorful, almost as if it were made from scratch.
Jacques Torres’ Easy Upgrade for Boxed Cake Mix
Boxed cake mix is a helpful shortcut, but with a couple of simple changes, it can taste noticeably more homemade.
Start with the eggs. Adding one extra egg gives the cake more richness, moisture, and a softer crumb. If you’re making chocolate cake, Torres also recommends using espresso instead of water or milk. It doesn’t make the cake taste like coffee; instead, it deepens the chocolate and gives the finished cake a fuller, more layered flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix
- Eggs: use the number the box calls for, plus 1 extra
- Oil or butter, according to the box instructions
- Water or milk, according to the box instructions
- Espresso: use in place of the water or milk for chocolate cake only (in the amount the box lists)
Directions
- Preheat the oven and prepare your cake pan according to the box instructions.
- Mix the cake batter as directed on the package, but add one extra egg.
- If using chocolate cake mix, swap the water or milk for espresso in the amount specified on the box.
- Stir until just combined, being careful not to over mix.
- Bake according to the package instructions, then cool completely before frosting.
These small adjustments are easy to make but meaningfully improve the final result. The cake turns out richer and more flavorful, perfect for a casual family dinner or a special celebration.