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    See More:   Desserts Holiday Meals

    Last Modified: Aug 8, 2022 by Tara Gerner 15 Comments

    Homemade Chocolate Caramel Cake From a Box Mix

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    How to make the best chocolate cake from a mix - These simple and easy hacks will make any Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines box taste like homemade. Great ideas for a moist cake doctored up with chocolate fudge frosting and caramel.

    PIN IT FOR LATER!

    chocolate caramel cake with peanuts

    Earlier this year, Joe and I started a tradition: we invited our parents over for Sunday dinner. We did it again the next Sunday and the Sunday after. We started inviting other extended family and friends, too.

    Everybody doesn't always come, and that's okay. We have dinner no matter who does or doesn't show up.

    I love feeding a house full of people. I channel my Grandma, who says, "Did you have enough to eat? I don't want you to tell people that I didn't feed you." and "It's your own fault if you go away hungry." and "Can I get you something else to eat?" The first time I said those things aloud, I had to stop and laugh. Heartily.

    This week, we had a homemade feast. Joe had cooked up homemade spaghetti sauce. My mother-in-law made homemade meatballs. My sister made homemade guacamole, and I helped her make some homemade broccoli salad. I love eating food that's been prepared from scratch at home.

    I haven't been feeling great, though, I didn't get around to making a fancy dessert from scratch. I didn't have the energy.

    So I made this instead, and it was delicious. Everyone asked for the recipe, and I was embarrassed to give it to them because, well, it's not really homemade at all.

    How to make the best doctored chocolate cake mix

    1. Preheat the oven to 350º.
    2. Mix the cake batter as directed on the box.
    3. In the largest skillet you have, melt the butter over medium heat. It's important that the skillet be oven safe and have a flat bottom.
    4. Carefully pour the cake batter into the skillet and smooth it out.
    5. Bake, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
    6. While the cake is baking, mix the frosting with the caramel. Set aside.
    7. When the cake is done, flip it out onto a large platter. While the cake is hot, pour enough frosting out onto the top (which used to be the bottom) to completely cover it and smooth it out. The frosting will melt, soak into the cake, and run all over the place, making a gooey and delicious mess. This is why you put it on a platter instead of on a plate.
    8. Allow the cake to cool for 15 to 30 minutes, until it's warm but no longer hot.  Pour the rest of the frosting onto the cake and smooth it out. Sprinkle the nuts over the top and garnish with extra caramel if so desired. I like it so that there is caramel and frosting all running down the sides of the cake.
    9. Serve with ice cream.

    Try these other delectable desserts while you're here:

    • The Best Pineapple Upside Down Cake (also uses a cake mix)
    • Flourless Chocolate Cake
    • Chocolate Cherry Cake
    • Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake
    • Triple Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting

    Recipe

    chocolate caramel cake with peanuts

    Not Quite Homemade Chocolate Caramel Cake From a Box Mix

    How to make the best chocolate cake from a mix - These simple and easy hacks will make any Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines box taste like homemade. Great ideas for a moist cake doctored up with chocolate fudge frosting and caramel.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Cooling Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 55 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 588 kcal

    Equipment

    • 10-inch stainless steel skillet

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 chocolate fudge cake mix plus ingredients to make the cake
    • 3 tablespoons butter
    • 1 container chocolate fudge frosting pre-made, from the grocery store
    • ½ jar caramel ice cream topping
    • 1 cups chopped pecans

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350º.
    • Mix the cake batter as directed on the box.
    • In the largest skillet you have, melt the butter over medium heat. It's important that the skillet be oven safe and have a flat bottom.
    • Carefully pour the batter into the skillet and smooth it out.
    • Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
    • While the cake is baking, mix the frosting with the caramel. Set aside.
    • When the cake is done, flip it onto a large platter. While the cake is hot, pour enough of the frosting to completely cover the top (which was the bottom before you turned it out) onto the cake and smooth it out. The frosting will melt, soak into the cake, and run all over the place, making a gooey and delicious mess. This is why you put it on a platter and not on a plate.
    • Allow the cake to cool for 15 to 30 minutes, until it's warm but no longer hot. Pour the rest of the frosting onto the cake and smooth it out. Sprinkle the nuts over top. You can garnish with a little extra caramel if you're so inclined.
    • This is delectably rich, so I serve it with ice cream.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 588kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 587mg | Potassium: 345mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 139IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe? Pin it for later!Follow @FeelsLikeHome or tag #FeelsLikeHomeBlog!
    a collage of chocolate cake with caramel and peanutsPin

    a slice of chocolate cake box mix with caramelPin

    a slice of chocolate cake from a box mixPin

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lisa@BlessedwithGrace says

      September 22, 2008 at 5:31 pm

      Oh my goodness, Tara. I want that cake, NOW!! YUMMO!

      Reply
    2. Lisa@BlessedwithGrace says

      September 23, 2008 at 1:31 am

      Oh my goodness, Tara. I want that cake, NOW!! YUMMO!

      Reply
    3. Gadget Girl says

      September 22, 2008 at 5:46 pm

      oh stars... I think I just gained 10 lbs!! 🙂

      Reply
    4. Gadget Girl says

      September 23, 2008 at 1:46 am

      oh stars... I think I just gained 10 lbs!! 🙂

      Reply
    5. Scarlet O'Kara says

      September 22, 2008 at 6:35 pm

      I usually cook dinner for my extended family atleast 3 - 4 times a week...and this recipe would be a hit with all of them!

      Reply
    6. Scarlet O'Kara says

      September 23, 2008 at 2:35 am

      I usually cook dinner for my extended family atleast 3 - 4 times a week...and this recipe would be a hit with all of them!

      Reply
    7. Cheryl says

      September 22, 2008 at 6:49 pm

      This looks great! Will have to try!

      Thanks for sharing!
      Cheryl

      Reply
    8. Cheryl says

      September 23, 2008 at 2:49 am

      This looks great! Will have to try!Thanks for sharing!Cheryl

      Reply
    9. Deanna says

      September 22, 2008 at 7:26 pm

      That is a recipe that would do Sandra Lee so proud! Delish!

      Reply
    10. Deanna says

      September 23, 2008 at 3:26 am

      That is a recipe that would do Sandra Lee so proud! Delish!

      Reply
    11. Sage and Savvy says

      September 22, 2008 at 9:52 pm

      OMG...I think I could eat that whole cake =). I love chocolate!

      Reply
    12. Sage and Savvy says

      September 23, 2008 at 5:52 am

      OMG...I think I could eat that whole cake =). I love chocolate!

      Reply
    13. Erica says

      September 23, 2008 at 3:00 am

      That looks absolutely heavenly, and yet quite "sinful"!

      Reply
    14. Erica says

      September 23, 2008 at 11:00 am

      That looks absolutely heavenly, and yet quite "sinful"!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tara.

    Harrisburg PA mom blogger Tara Ziegmont
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