{"id":1554,"date":"2026-01-02T21:26:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T21:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/?p=1554"},"modified":"2026-01-02T21:26:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T21:26:12","slug":"cake-mixes-have-dramatically-shrunk-in-size-heres-how-to-adjust-your-favorite-recipes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/?p=1554","title":{"rendered":"Cake Mixes Have Dramatically Shrunk in Size\u2014Here\u2019s How To Adjust Your Favorite Recipes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-page_1-0\" data-sc-sticky-offset=\"90\" data-sc-ad-label-height=\"24\" data-sc-ad-track-spacing=\"100\" data-sc-min-track-height=\"250\" data-sc-max-track-height=\"600\" data-sc-breakpoint=\"50em\" data-sc-load-immediate=\"4\" data-sc-content-positions=\"[1, 1250, 1550, 1950, 2350, 2750, 3150, 3550, 3950]\" data-bind-scroll-on-start=\"true\">\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Even some of the best home bakers love boxed cake mixes. They are quick to put together and, with a couple of upgrades, can taste like they are homemade. Plus, boxed cake mix does a lot more than just bake cakes. It is a great starting point for other treats, as well.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_3-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> But recently, there have been significant changes to your go-to brand\u2019s cake mixes. With that in mind, here is all you need to know about what these changes mean for the boxes in your pantry.\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"heading-toc\" id=\"toc-several-popular-brands-have-reduced-the-size-of-their-boxed-cake-mix\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_5-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block allrecipes-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"> <span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> Several Popular Brands Have Reduced the Size of Their Boxed Cake Mix <\/span> <\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_6-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> It appears as though\u00a0shrinkflation\u00a0is coming for boxed cake mixes. You may have seen the change in size for yourself or noticed the packages feel a little lighter when you take them off the shelf.\u00a0Regardless, you aren&#8217;t wrong: your boxes of cake mix are getting smaller.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_8-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Some manufacturers\u2014including Pillsbury, Duncan Hines, and Betty Crocker\u2014have reduced the amount of cake mix per box by a couple of ounces to account for an increase in the price of ingredients.\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"mntl-sc-block_10-0-iframe\" class=\"mntl-sc-block-universal-embed--iframe-legacy lazyload\" allowfullscreen=\"false\" frameborder=\"0\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" title=\"cake mix shrinkflation\" data-expand=\"300\" data-src=\"\/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2Fr%2Fshrinkflation%2Fcomments%2F1fy8ugq%2Fbetty_crocker_cake_mix%2F&amp;id=mntl-sc-block_10-0-iframe&amp;options=e30%3D&amp;docId=11868318\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_12-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> So, what does this mean for your baking? Well, the change is only by a couple of ounces, so there is no cause for alarm &#8230; Yet. Most standard cake boxes used to be around 18 ounces, and now, they range anywhere from 13 to 16 ounces. To put this into perspective, three ounces of cake mix is around six tablespoons of cake mix.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_14-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> This means your cake mix might make a slightly smaller cake or one or two fewer cupcakes. This might sound inconsequential, but many cake mix fans have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/shrinkflation\/comments\/1fy8ugq\/betty_crocker_cake_mix\/\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\">noticed the change<\/a>. While no one is excited about less cake, other home cooks are even more concerned about what this means for recipes that depend on an entire 18-ounce box of cake mix.\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"heading-toc\" id=\"toc-how-to-adjust-cake-mix-recipes-for-smaller-boxes\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mntl-sc-block_20-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block allrecipes-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading\"> <span class=\"mntl-sc-block-heading__text text-title-300\"> How To Adjust Cake Mix Recipes for Smaller Boxes <\/span> <\/h2>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_21-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> According to the Allrecipes Test Kitchen, the change in cake box mix size should not be big enough of a difference to affect most recipes. That\u2019s a relief! But if you see a change in your dump cakes, cookies, or fruit bars, there are a few routes you can take.\n<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"mntl-sc-block_23-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block allrecipes-sc-block-subheading mntl-sc-block-subheading\"> <span class=\"mntl-sc-block-subheading__text\"> Adjust the Rest of the Recipe <\/span> <\/h3>\n<figure id=\"mntl-sc-block_24-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block allrecipes-sc-block-image mntl-sc-block-image mntl-sc-block-image--no-theme no-theme figure-landscape figure-high-res\">\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_25-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> One option is to adjust the rest of the recipe around the new box size. Primarily, we&#8217;re seeing cake mixes sold in 15.25-ounce or 13.5-ounce boxes. That&#8217;s about a 16.5 percent or 27 percent decrease from the traditional 18.5-ounce boxes. You can decrease each ingredient accordingly to make the recipe proportional again. Here&#8217;s a quick chart for easy conversions, rounded to the nearest standard measurement.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"mntl-sc-block_27-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block allrecipes-sc-block-table mntl-sc-block-universal-table\">\n<div class=\"mntl-sc-block-universal-table__table-wrapper\">\n<table class=\"mntl-sc-block-universal-table__table\">\n<colgroup style=\"\" span=\"1\"\/>\n<colgroup style=\"\" span=\"1\"\/>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\" class=\"mntl-sc-block-universal-table__title\">15.5-ounce Box Common Conversions <\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-check=\"-1\">\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a0Original Recipe<\/td>\n<td>\u00a0Adjusted Size<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1 cup<\/td>\n<td>3\/4 cup and 1.5 tablespoons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1\/2 cup<\/td>\n<td>1\/4 cup and 2.5 tablespoons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1\/3 cup<\/td>\n<td>4.5 tablespoons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1\/4 cup<\/td>\n<td>3.5 tablespoons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<figure id=\"mntl-sc-block_29-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block allrecipes-sc-block-table mntl-sc-block-universal-table\">\n<div class=\"mntl-sc-block-universal-table__table-wrapper\">\n<table class=\"mntl-sc-block-universal-table__table\">\n<colgroup style=\"\" span=\"1\"\/>\n<colgroup style=\"width: 234px;\" span=\"1\"\/>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\" class=\"mntl-sc-block-universal-table__title\">13.5-ounce Box Common Conversions <\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-check=\"-1\">\n<tr>\n<td>\u00a0Original Recipe<\/td>\n<td>Adjusted Size<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1 cup<\/td>\n<td>1\/2 cup and 3.5 tablespoons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1\/2 cup\u00a0<\/td>\n<td>1\/4 cup and 2 tablespoons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1\/3 cup<\/td>\n<td>4 tablespoons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1\/4 cup<\/td>\n<td>3 tablespoons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3 id=\"mntl-sc-block_31-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block allrecipes-sc-block-subheading mntl-sc-block-subheading\"> <span class=\"mntl-sc-block-subheading__text\"> Add in the Difference <\/span> <\/h3>\n<figure id=\"mntl-sc-block_32-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block allrecipes-sc-block-image mntl-sc-block-image mntl-sc-block-image--no-theme no-theme figure-landscape figure-high-res\"><figcaption id=\"mntl-figure-caption_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-figure-caption text-utility-100 figure-article-caption\"> <span class=\"figure-article-caption-owner\"><\/p>\n<p>Dotdash Meredith Food Studios<\/p>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_33-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> You could buy your cake mix in bulk and measure out the ounces yourself, always keeping an extra box of cake mix to grab out of, white or vanilla mix would go with just about any other flavor. Alternatively, Anne Byrn of The Cake Mix Doctor cookbooks s<a href=\"https:\/\/rosebakes.com\/smaller-cake-mixes-how-to-adjust-recipe-recipes-fix\/\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\">uggests replacing the missing amount with normal all-purpose flour<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"mntl-sc-block_35-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block allrecipes-sc-block-subheading mntl-sc-block-subheading\"> <span class=\"mntl-sc-block-subheading__text\"> Make Your Own <\/span> <\/h3>\n<figure id=\"mntl-sc-block_36-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block allrecipes-sc-block-image mntl-sc-block-image mntl-sc-block-image--no-theme no-theme figure-landscape figure-high-res\"><figcaption id=\"mntl-figure-caption_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-figure-caption text-utility-100 figure-article-caption\"> <span class=\"figure-article-caption-owner\"><\/p>\n<p>AllRecipes \/ Julia Hartbeck<\/p>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_37-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Finally, you can always <a href=\"https:\/\/melissaknorris.com\/homemade-cake-mix-recipe\/\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow\">make your own DIY cake mix<\/a> to keep on hand for dump cakes and quick desserts. But, if you&#8217;re making cake or cupcakes, it may just be easier to go the old-fashioned route and make it completely from scratch. It might take a little bit of extra time, but it could be fun to switch it up. And it could even taste a little bit better.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_39-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> While we can\u2019t promise the packages won\u2019t keep getting smaller, we should be all set to proceed with all things box-mixed-based this holiday season. After all, the smaller boxed cake mix sizes could just be an excuse to increase the amount of frosting you use. No one can complain about a smaller cake if it is under a mountain of icing!\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Even some of the best home bakers love boxed cake mixes. They are quick to put together and, with a couple of upgrades, can taste like they are homemade. Plus, boxed cake mix does a lot more than just bake cakes. It is a great starting point for other treats, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1555,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1554","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kitchen-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1554","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1554"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1554\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1554"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1554"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}