So many people have beautiful, simple recipes posted on Pinterest, that I thought I’d give it a try with my easy cupcake recipe. If you like it, please click the Pin It button located at the bottom and share on Pinterest so I can become internet famous. Enjoy! 
1. Buy a box cake mix.
You can also simply acquire one from a friend or family member. This is the most important step. There are many flavors, textures, and brands to choose from. Aim for something that you and your guests might enjoy eating. If you choose something you and your guests do not like, you probably won’t receive favorable reviews.
No need to rush it: This is an important decision.
2. Read the directions on the box.
Do you have all the required ingredients at home? The frosting? The cupcake pans in which to bake them? A kitchen timer? A working oven? If not, get those, too.
This might be on the back, or the side, or the other side. Look around the entire box: it will be there somewhere.
3. Preheat the oven.
A cold oven simply does not do the job. So I hear.
4. Gather the required ingredients.
Do not substitute ingredients. For example, don’t use any old egg-shaped items you happen to have around the house in lieu of eggs. That won’t end well.
Luckily, I happened to have eggs, butter, water and a vintage milk glass bowl handy.
5. Mix the required ingredients thoroughly.
Try not to spill. That will waste your time and not be very photo-friendly.
Shiny mixing bowls and KitchenAid mixers in funky hard-to-get colors make the best cupcakes.
6. Pour the batter into cupcake liners while they are in the cupcake pan.
Fill liners according to the directions, and do it evenly so. If not, you will have less in some cupcakes and more in others. This will ruin any chance of homogeny in your batch, which would be quite disappointing.
It’s okay to mix kitchen gear. Ice cream scoopers and cupcake pans get along famously, even when not in coordinating materials.
7. Bake them according to the directions.
Set a kitchen timer so they don’t burn. People lose track of time very easily in these days of distracting Social Media, mobile phones and DVRs. Also, don’t take them out too early. Uncooked gooey cupcakes often make people vomit. This can be an unpleasant experience.
8. Open the frosting and put it on the cooled cupcakes.
There will be directions on the frosting container, which you can refer to. Get creative: use a knife, spatula, toaster tong or clean finger to apply the frosting. It will look the same no matter which you choose. The messier the texture, the more homemade they will appear. With the right balance of cake symmetry to frosting haphazardness, you will fool your guests into believing you slaved in the kitchen all day. They will be impressed with your commitment to cupcakery.
Remember to remove the lid AND the foil.
9. Serve.
If you are trying to make a good impression, display the cupcakes in something fancy, like a rustic milk crate or on milk glass cake plates lined with sheets of vintage wallpaper cut into doilies with craft scissors. If not, just hand them to each person with as little flourish as possible.
With a little focus and the right inspiration, you, too, can make cupcakes from a box mix!
10. Enjoy!
How to Make Cupcakes From a Box Cake Mix:
1. Buy a box cake mix.
2. Read the directions on the box.
3. Preheat the oven.
4. Gather the required ingredients.
5. Mix the required ingredients thoroughly.
6. Pour the batter into cupcake liners while they are in the cupcake pan.
7. Bake them according to the directions.
8. Open the frosting and put it on the cooled cupcakes.
9. Serve.
10. Enjoy!
Your kids weren’t in the kitchen for this one, were they? I think the appropriate addendum would be a photofest with THEM making cupcakes from a box mix.
They are way more into eating cupcakes than making them. Shockingly.
Ha. Love it. Next up, how to go to the bathroom by yourself.
Now THAT would be impossible.
Cupcakery! The vintage wallpaper/craft scissors line? And the PicMonkey stars on your photo? Killing me. This is hi-larious. I bet you get people who pin this for realsies. Suckers.
I can’t wait to see who pins this. (Clearly, I have too much time on my hands.)
I pinned it!!!!!
Thanks for spreading the word!
Perfect! Just my kind of recipe. Although I also like the “pick up the phone and call the bakery” kind as well.
Those kind are rather delicious, too, but lack the right balance of symmetry to dishevledness.
Finally a recipe that matches my skill level. I notice you didn’t specify if the water used was warm, cold, or room temp. Oh dear. I’ll buy 3 boxes so I can try it each way.
Use water the exact temperature it comes out of the water source at. (Sorry to be so scientific.)
Sadly even your boxed cupcakes look better than mine. I’ll be sure to follow your directions next time instead of the difficult ones on the box.*
* I was going to insert a winky face here so that people knew I was joking and not dumber than shit. I decided not to though, because the readers of your blog are much smarter than normal people.
We welcome all forms of smartassery here.
BTW, I think you’re awesome so I awarded you the Liebster Award. =)
http://pocketfulofjoules.com/2012/09/10/im-a-liebster-award-winner-heck-yeah/
Thanks, Joules!
Why would anyone use anything but a vintage milk glass bowl? That’s the most important step, but unfortunately most food bloggers do not know this.
They are fools. FOOLS!
Perfect! I’m supposed to bring something to a get together this weekend, and I was worried about what I would bring. I really think people will be impressed with this recipe. I think I’ll print it out in case people ask for the recipe.
This is why the post ends with a printer-friendly version. I knew this special recipe would be something readers would want to keep for generations.
Thank GOD I found this post! I have been struggling with those mixes in a box for years. That being said, I think I’ll still be *that mother* — you know, the one who shows up 10 minutes late because she forgot it was her turn to supply the snack so she had to swing in to the local Piggly Wiggly for a plastic container of “whatever you have.”
Hit some estate sales for vintage milk glass and Target for the equipment/ingredients, and try this recipe out some time. I think you might find it fits the bill for those school snack requirements.
I cannot tell you how much I love this. Especially the shiny star on the finished cupcake pic. My god woman, you are a sarcasm master.
I do what I can.
Thank GOD someone has finally explained to me how to make cupcakes. I mean, those box instructions? Tricky. Just plain tricky. Now can you explain how to crack an egg?
Egg-cracking is tricky: First, hold ONE egg in one hand. Don’t squeeze it really hard, or coat it in a slick substance. Simply tap the shell with enough pressure to crack the shell without smacking it flat. This should do it.
I love this!
It loves you! Feel free to share!
This would be hilarious as a video blog…just sayin….
Agreed! Maybe some day I’ll eventually do a vlog here…
Really?! You can make cupcakes from a box? Here I was driving all the way to the bakery and such.
Wow! Just wow.
I’m here to educate, Joy. I’m here to teach others what is possible with enough time and attention to detail.
I adore the condensed printer friendly version at the end. You rock!
Everyone thinks cupcakes from a box are so easy, but I screw them up EVERY time. You’re my savior. Thank you!
(I don’t really screw them up every time, more like half the time.)
FACT: Even if you screw them up, you can still eat the frosting.
You have finally blown my cover! This “recipe” has been my “secret” recipe for years!! Now EVERYONE knows whey they put it on the damn box!! IT’S THE BEST ONE!!
😉
So incredibly helpful, Kim. Especially the part about turning on the oven. Am now envisioning myself become a cake goddess. Move aside, Pinterest queens, I’m taking this advice and throwing down some cakes!
I’m here to help, Meredith. it’s what I do.
You are a GENIUS! Printer-friendly version and everything!
You GOTTA have a printer-friendly version. Obviously.
You totally made me snort when I got to the “Printer Friendly Recipe.” Very nice touch. Ellen
Easier for stapling it to a recipe card. Duh.
This is exactly why I bake from scratch. There are simply too many choices of mixes (and don’t get me started on frosting). That picture of the cake mix aisle was terrifying! Thanks for the laugh!
I scratch the box when I open it, so it’s pretty much the same thing.
thank you for sharing this recipe, it’s my daughter’s birthday and i have been searching for the perfect cupcake and these are it!
oh and the twinkly star addition, priceless.
I hope your cupcakes twinkle, too. Just follow my instructions, and it should all work out.
That really made me laugh! Love, the displayed cupcakes. I think for sure I can manage #10, other than that…
Pin it and practice, practice, practice…
Ooooooohhhhhhh! Now I know why mine were turning out so shitty. Subbing bourbon for the oil just was not working out the way I had hoped it would…
Box Cupcakes are the BOMB! I don’t know how our mothers and grandmothers ever got along making shit from scratch…
Thanks for Hooking Up to the Hump Day Hook Up! Tell your friends how cool you are!
You had me there… for about five seconds! As far as baking, this matches my skill level as well as my motivational level. I’m much more inspired and motivated to make elaborate dinner recipes. And, honestly, baked goods from a box — especially cake with the mysterious “pudding” in the mix — are perfectly delicious!
Well I for one am printing this out because I have been doing it all wrong. I forget to do #7 every single time and it never ends well. Also when I forgo the box and go for the do it from scratch way the kids wind up picking up one too many 4 letter words.
Next Up: From Scratch Cupcakes Without The Mess
1. Call the bakery.
2. Drive to bakery.
3. Eat cupcakes outside bakery to avoid mess in car.
Funny story: the last time I tried to make a cake (cupcakes? too ambitious) from a cake mix, I forgot to turn on the oven. An hour later, I couldn’t figure out why the f@#$#ing cake wasn’t done yet… Frequent visitor here, btw, but very rare commenter; making an effort today because of the Hump Day Hook Up. And flu. xoxo Jane @nothingbtbook