Add This Ingredient To Your Boxed Cake Mixes For A Perfectly Moist Dessert

Boxed cake mix makes baking a breeze, but sometimes the cake's texture could use a little improvement. Fortunately, taking your cake to the next level only requires the addition of one simple ingredient — and chances are, you already have it in your fridge as a staple for high-protein breakfasts or snacks: Greek yogurt.

Similar to how sour cream is used to enhance cake recipes and other baked goods, Greek yogurt can do the same. And when it's used with boxed cake mixes, its ultra-thick consistency locks in moisture. The yogurt's acidity also interacts with other ingredients in the batter, helping tenderize the cake while creating a softer crumb that's less prone to drying out. Not to mention, the tangy flavor helps balance the sweetness of the cake mix. As a bonus, Greek yogurt even adds a little extra protein to your cake slice.

It's also easy to incorporate: There's no need to swap ingredients or use any special techniques. Simply prepare the cake batter by following the box's directions for combining the ingredients, then add ¼ cup to ½ cup of Greek yogurt. Thoroughly mix until a smooth, well-combined cake batter forms, but avoid overmixing, as it can affect the cake's final texture. Transfer batter to the prepared baking pan and bake according to the boxed cake mix's directions.

The type of Greek yogurt you use for a boxed cake mix matters. It's best to stick with plain Greek yogurt rather than flavored varieties, which often contain added sugar. Combined with the already-sweet boxed mix, this can make the cake overly sweet, especially if you frost the cake. Some brands also offer unsweetened vanilla Greek yogurt, which can add both moisture and a boost of flavor without extra sugar. It's good to opt for full-fat Greek yogurt, as the fat content contributes more moisture. 

You can achieve a perfectly moist cake using almost any flavor of boxed cake mix with this Greek yogurt hack. Some flavors, however, may benefit from it more than others. The tanginess balances both the sweetness and richness of chocolate or red velvet-flavored cake mixes, and can enhance the flavor of fruit-forward cake mixes, such as lemon, orange, or strawberry. Cake mix flavors like yellow or vanilla already tend to have a creamier consistency and richer taste.

Because the formulations of boxed cake mix brands aren't identical, the final texture may vary depending on the mix you choose and whether you add other ingredients that modify the cake's texture, like an extra egg yolk or using milk instead of water. In these cases, consider starting with a smaller amount of Greek yogurt, around ¼ cup, and adjust the amount in future batches based on your texture preferences.