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 9×13 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). It’s 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 I’ve tried it with several other mixes and it works fine.
What’s the difference between this recipe and a cake mix straight-out-of-the-box?
You might be thinking, “what’s so different about this recipe if you are still using a boxed cake mix?” Well, I will tell you. The secret is sour cream and egg whites. Yes, sour cream ain’t just for baked potatoes anymore. It is used to moisten many types of cakes/batters and any time I’ve 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
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups water
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 4 large egg whites (equal to ½ cup if using liquid carton egg whites)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 ¼ 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 325°F.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk together white cake mix (15.25 ounce), all-purpose flour (1 cup), and granulated sugar (½ cup).
- Once incorporated, add in the vanilla extract (1 teaspoon), water (1 ½ cups), sour cream (¾ cup), and egg whites (½ 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 (½ 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 (¼ teaspoon) and powdered sugar (1 ¼ 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 I’ve 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!
Gina says
This was the best cake I have baked in a long time! Everyone that tried it thought it was from a bakery. I used the icing recipe also and personally thought it would be better with more cream cheese and less butter. Just my preference. Most of my family said it was perfect.
Melissa says
Awesome to hear, Gina! Thank you so much for leaving a review, I really appreciate it!
Vernelle Mercer says
This cake is so easy and delicious! Proud to serve it to my gourmet friends!
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Vernelle! I really appreciate it!!
Lindsay says
Can you substitute the vanilla extract in the cake for almond extract?
Melissa says
If you plan to add almond to the frosting, I wouldn’t substitute it for the vanilla in the cake; I think it would be too strong. So I’d just suggest leaving out the vanilla if you don’t have it.
Susan says
This cake is delicious! I shared the cake with others and they loved it too. It taste like a good wedding cake to me
Melissa says
Thank you so much for leaving a review, Susan! I really appreciate it!
Gina says
This was a very good cake. Exactly what I was looking for. I made the icing but thought it could have used the whole block of cream cheese and another cup or so if powdered sugar. Just my personal preference. Thanks for a great cake recipe.
Melissa says
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, Gina! I really appreciate it!
Velma Elizabth Button says
This is delicious I used yougart instead of sour cream and my family loved it. This is their request for birthdays.
Melissa says
Great to hear you and the family enjoy this recipe so much! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Velma!
Susan says
This is SO good. Sometimes you just want a vanilla cake and this hits the spot. I use a whole 8 Oz of cream cheese in the icing. I made it for my 7 year-old Grandaughter’s 5th birthday and she asked for it on her 6th and mentioned it recently for her 7th which is not for 6 more months! 😂
Jean P7 says
Great cake! Everyone loved it. I would def make it again. I used a Dunkin Hines white cake mix I had on hand and I did make the suggested cream cheese frosting recipe! Very good!
Melissa says
So glad everyone loved the recipe, Jean! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Michelle Bosley says
My whole family loved this cake!
Lisa says
Delicious and so easy to make!
Laurie says
This was by far the best white cake I have ever made and way better than any bakery cake I have bought. I have shared this recipe with others and will continue to make. My husband and mother loved it. This recipe deserves more than 5 stars!!! Raspberry cream cheese frosting on top and you just want more than one piece.
Melissa says
Yay, sooo glad to hear you and the family enjoy this recipe so much! Thank you so much for leaving a review, Laurie!
Sharon says
I make this for many gatherings and its so easy to make and I *always* am asked for the recipe and to bring it to the next gathering ! 5 stars! I have made this over 20 times. Sometimes I make a 1.5 times batch of the frosting to make thicker frosting layer!
Melissa says
Wow, I'm honored that you've made this recipe so many times and enjoy it so much! Thank you so much for leaving this review, Sharon! :)
Lisa says
I was thinking of doing the same!
Trisha White says
Best cake ever
Lynn Jones says
This was the best white sheet cake. My husband really loved it . He asks for it all the time now. It’s really easy to make too!
Melissa says
So glad to hear you and your husband enjoyed this recipe so much, Lynn! Thank you so much for leaving a review!
Lee says
Amazing!
Dorothy says
I need to make a cake for 54. Would like a wedding cake recipe. Would a 12x 18 work? How many batches do I need?
Melissa says
I haven’t done it that big but I think doubling the recipe will be enough for a 12x18” pan!