Transform a mediocre boxed cake mix into a super moist, bakery-worthy birthday cake that everyone will be asking the recipe for! Bake in a 9x13 pan and top with an easy cream cheese frosting for the best "homemade" doctored sheet cake!
More fun birthday cake ideas: Try my Ice Cream Sandwich Cake or 9ร13 Zebra Cake!
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Why I Love This Doctored White Cake:
- It's So Moist: This white sheet cake is super moist and has the perfect, dense cake crumb. Unlike a regular cake mix that is fluffy and crumbles when cut, then once slices perfectly!
- It's A Nice Tall Sheet Cake: In my opinion, most box mixes don't produce enough batter for a tall sheet cake. But by adding our secret ingredients, you get a tall, substantial 9x13 cake!
- It's Full of Flavor: The added vanilla and almond extract give this a true white wedding cake flavor that blows any regular boxed mix out of the water!
- Perfect for: Kid's Birthday Cakes, Baby Shower Cakes, Bridal Shower Cake, DIY Wedding Cake, Mother's Day Cake
New! Use this same recipe to make Strawberry Jello Poke Cake!
Yes, start with a cake mix!
I've used this recipe for years but have always been hesitant to post it because the #haters will say that starting with a boxed cake mix is cheating. But guess what, if that's considered cheating then I guess I love cheating.
Because when it tastes this DANG GOOD and better than any from-scratch cake I've ever made, I don't care if it started with a box mix. Besides, in case you didn't know, a lot of real bakeries actually use cake mix as their base (I once saw the backroom of my favorite bakery and lined on the shelves were cake mixes LOL). It's the PERFECT, cheap way to make a bakery-quality cake without spending $20 at the grocery store.
Plus, I am not a fan of most grocery store frosting. This, however, you'll be licking off your finger. I recommend and prefer Pillsbury White "Moist Supreme" but I've also used other brands with a similar result.
Delicious Cream Cheese Frosting
Ditch the canned frosting and top this with a vanilla almond cream cheese frosting to take this cake up a notch! You can also use a traditional buttercream frosting if you want a sturdier, more pipeable frosting but I much prefer the taste of this cream cheese frosting!
Ingredients for the Best Sheet Cake:
- 15.25 ounce White Boxed Cake Mix (I recommend and prefer Pillsbury White Moist Supreme)
- Flour
- Sugar
- Sour Cream
- Egg Whites (save the yolks for tomorrow's scrambled eggs!)
- Vanilla extract
- Water
- Frosting: Cream cheese, powdered, sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract
Notice that this recipe requires NO oil, butter or pudding mix! Even without those standard ingredients, this cake transforms into the perfect dense crumb, wedding cake texture and taste. For extra fruity flavor, make my Strawberry Jello Poke Cake.
How to Make White Sheet Cake:
Step 1: Mix Batter
Start by mixing the dry ingredients with a whisk. Once combined, mix in the egg whites, sour cream, and water and continue mixing until combined. You can use an electric mixer, but whisking by hand works well for this recipe.
Step 2: Pour in 9x13 Pan & Bake
Pour batter in greased 9x13 metal pan and bake for 28-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. The edges should look *slightly* brown but you don't want it to darken too much.
If you use the Pillsbury cake mix, the top always bake nice and flat (not domed) which makes it easy to decorate!
Step 3: Cool & Frost
Allow cake to completely cool before frosting.
My personal favorite frosting for this white cake is my delectable cream cheese frosting (recipe below). Itโs not too sweet and is the perfect pairing with these vanilla cupcakes. If you want a more pipeable frosting, try out a buttercream frosting instead.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What brand of cake mix do you recommend?
I used and prefer Pillsbury White (Moist Supreme) but Iโve tried it with several other mixes and it works fine.
Whatโs the difference between this recipe and a cake mix straight-out-of-the-box?
You might be thinking, โwhatโs so different about this recipe if you are still using a boxed cake mix?โ Well, I will tell you. The secret is sour cream and egg whites. Yes, sour cream ainโt just for baked potatoes anymore. It is used to moisten many types of cakes/batters and any time Iโve used it, the result has always been amazing. And the egg whites? Since you are removing fat content (by taking out the yolk), you need to use the sour cream to balance that back out to produce a soft & moist cake.
Tip: Save the egg yolks in a plastic bowl (covered with saran wrap) and toss into a big batch of scrambled eggs in the morning. Or use the liquid egg whites you can buy in a carton to avoid having leftover egg yolks.
Can I make these into cupcakes?
Yes! If you want to turn these into cupcakes, you can bake them for 18-20 minutes. I have that step-by-step in my White Wedding Cupcake post.
If you're looking for a pipeable frosting for cupcakes, you can use my Buttercream Frosting recipe instead of the cream cheese one (although I personally like the cream cheese better!).
Do I have to refrigerate this cake?
If you're making the cream cheese frosting, you will want to refrigerate the cake if sitting out for more than 1-2 hours.
You can also freeze white cake for up to a month by wrapping in plastic wrap and storing in airtight container. Any longer and your cake might dry out.
What if I don't have almond extract?
I will say that almond extract does give this cake the best flavor but if you don't have it, you could substitute for extra vanilla extract or lemon extract.
The BEST White Sheet Cake (Doctored Cake Mix!)
Ingredients
9x13 White Cake
- 1 15.25 ounce box white cake mix I prefer Pillsbury Moist Supreme
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ยฝ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ยฝ cups water
- ยพ cup sour cream
- 4 large egg whites (equal to ยฝ cup if using liquid carton egg whites)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- ยฝ cup unsalted butter softened
- 4ย ounces ย cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ยผ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 ยผ cup powdered sugar add more for stiffer frosting
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325ยฐF.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk together white cake mix (15.25 ounce), all-purpose flour (1 cup), and granulated sugar (ยฝ cup).
- Once incorporated, add in the vanilla extract (1 teaspoon), water (1 ยฝ cups), sour cream (ยพ cup), and egg whites (ยฝ cup, or 4 large eggs) one at a time until combined. Do not whip the cake mix; just mix until everything is incorporated."
- Pour batter into greased 9x13 metal pan and bake for 28-30 minutes or until toothpick or fork come out clean.
- Allow to cool completely before frosting.
To Make Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter (ยฝ cup, i.e. 1 stick) and softened cream cheese (4 ounces) on medium speed using a hand or stand mixer (with paddle attachment) for 2-3 minutes (until light and creamy).
- Keeping the mixer on medium speed, slowly add in vanilla extract (1 teaspoon), almond extract (ยผ teaspoon) and powdered sugar (1 ยผ cups). Once incorporated, turn mixer to high speed and beat for 2 minutes until creamy.
- Spread on cooled cake and top with sprinkles!
- If not enjoying immediately or within 1-2 hours, refrigerate cake until serving.
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Notes
- Looking for a more pipe-able, fluffy frosting? Try my Buttercream Frosting recipe instead!
- If you don't have almond extract you can substitute for extra vanilla or even lemon extract. Although I do think almond extract gives the best flavor!
- You can turn these in cupcakes by baking for 18-20 minutes. Recipe yields 24 standard sized cupcakes.
- I used and prefer Pillsbury White (Moist Supreme) but Iโve tried it with several other mixes and it works fine.
Nutrition
Did you make these cookies? Be sure to leave a comment below with how you liked them!
Caitlyn Rhodes says
This cake is so delicious and easy! It elevates a box mix and tastes like you put in more effort than you actually did! I made this for my momโs birthday this week and it was a big hit. Thank you!
Melissa says
I'm so glad the cake was a hit, Caitlyn! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review!
Michelle L says
Thankyou for the recipe!!! I have been looking for a suitable cake for my Wedding Vow Renewal gathering with my church for about a month or more. I found yours. Yaaaay! Beautiful texture and taste. Baked two sheets to make my cake and have just baked the cupcakes to go with it. WOW, thankyou sooooo much.
Melissa says
I am so glad to hear you loved the recipe, Michelle! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Dana Gattis says
Delicious!!!! Iโm saving this for sure! My husband loves it!
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Dana!
Ruth Coats says
I have used this white cake recipe for many events/birthdays/celebrations, and have never left a review. Itโs just about perfect, and have made cupcakes & different sized sheet cakes..they always come out great! (Of course, I adjust the time a bit for different pans) It is a great tasting white cake that everyone seems to love!
Melissa says
I am so glad you love this recipe so much, Ruth! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it!
Polly House says
I made this to take to a dinner with friends. Iโm a really good baker and get plenty of compliments on my food, but Iโve never had such rave reviews as I got on this one! It was easy to put together and baked up beautifully. I think it tastes like good wedding cake! I made it almost as written. I admit I just eyeballed the frosting since Iโd made the same recipe several times.
Melissa says
I am so glad everyone loved the cake, Polly! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!
Anette says
Hi Melissa. This was beautiful! In a world of chocolate, my guests loved this light, delicious cake served with fresh strawberries, peaches and mangos!
Iโd like to also serve this at an Indian gathering along with Indian ice cream (which has cardamom, saffron, pistachio and a hint of rose). Is there a way I could add a hint of rose water (1-3 tsp) to this cake somewhere to highlight the rose? I.e. in the frosting and/or in the batter? Thank you!
Melissa says
Hi Anette - so sorry, I'm just seeing your comment (been in a cookbook black hole!). I think this sounds lovely to add rose water. I haven't baked with rose water before but I would lean towards putting it in the frosting and then just adding a little more powdered sugar if it seems like the rose water made it too loose.
Karen says
Excellent cake and icing. Made for church function.
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Karen! I really appreciate it!
Chris says
I doubled this recipe for a half sheet cake, and it turned out amazing! This is the best white cake recipe I have found in all of my 68 years. I used it with a strawberry cream cheese frosting, with a ring of chopped strawberries around the edge. People went nuts for this cake!
Melissa says
Wow, that makes me so happy to hear!! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Chris! I appreciate it SO much!
Cathy C says
Hi Melissa, Iโm following up with a 5 star rating. The four sheet cakes I made (and worried about a bit) turned out perfectly! The cakes were moist and while I thought that the werenโt tall enough, they were exactly what I needed for a carved cake. I tried to tag you on my IG post, but I couldnโt find you. But I did mention your website. Pop over to sb4cathy on IG if you want to see the cake.
You are 100% correct - itโs amazing . Thank you.
Melissa says
Hi, Cathy! I'm so glad this recipe worked great for your cake! Thanks so much for taking time to leave a follow-up review!
Kellie says
Can this be made in round cake pans? Any idea what the cooking time would be?
Melissa says
You can definitely bake it in rounds! I haven't tested the timing but I believe some people in the comments have.
Mandy says
This cake is SOOOOOOO good. beautiful crumb...just enough moistness. yummy!!
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Mandy!
Amy Vroman says
Best cake ever! My guests loved it and all wanted the recipe. Itโs now my go to cake!
Melissa says
So glad everyone enjoyed the recipe! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Amy!
Karen Awe says
My favorite all time cake recipe. Easy and delicious!
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Karen!
Sarah Smith says
YES YES YES!! Iโve baked tons of white cakes from scratch and I have to say this recipe is better than most ! I will continue to make this cake forever ! Thank you !
Melissa says
So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe, Sarah! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Deb says
My granddaughter and I made this it was great. Tastes like wedding cake! How can I make it chocolate?
Melissa says
hi! I haven't had success simply turning this cake to chocolate using a chocolate mix. But I do have a super easy chocolate cake version in my new cookbook, which is the one I use!
Lisa says
Could I add some almond extract to the cake batter as well to give it the white almond wedding cake flavor?
Melissa says
Yes definitely!
Doris Vance says
I made this for my daughter's birthday now everybody asks for it.
Melissa says
So happy to hear that! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Doris!
Cathy C says
Hi Melissa,
I needed a sheet cake recipe with a fairly dense crumb so that could carve and stack two layers and came upon your recipe. I am a relatively advanced baker - I make 2-3 cakes a month, but am concerned a bit that the batter didnโt rise much. I followed your recipe to the letter. I didnโt under or over mix, I let my ingredients sit out for a bit before incorporating, my oven temp (I use a thermometer) was exact and I use professional baking pans. I have two wrapped up in the freezer and need to make two more. I am hesitant because, while mine look like yours, they just arenโt as tall. ANY IDEAS? Thank you. Maybe Iโm worried for nothing?
Melissa says
Hi Cathy! What brand of cake mix did you use?
Cathy C says
Hi Melissa, thank you for responding. I used one Pillsbury, then switched to Duncan Hinesโฆ same results. They smell great but just a little โflatterโ than I hoped. I have more of both brands.