Trader Joe’s Vanilla Cake Mix Hack – 6 Easy Steps for an Elevated Recipe

Last Updated on February 6, 2023

Let’s take a look at a Trader Joe’s vanilla cake mix hack. This Trader Joe’s vanilla cake mix recipe is easy to make. While we still use the suggested add-ins, we’ve made adjustments to elevate the cake.

This version of the boxed cake mix is much fluffier, more tender, and has a much more authentic vanilla flavor. You can use it for any occasion and it’s easy to work with too!

Jump to Recipe

Trader Joe’s Vanilla Cake Mix Hack Recipe

Trader Joe’s is a chain grocer that has been around since 1967! Naturally, as the decades passed, they brought out more and more unique products specifically under their own label.

Their Yellow Cake And Baking Mix is one of these products and has increased in popularity ever since!

It only requires a few simple cake-making ingredients that will produce an amazingly rich, fluffy, and vanilla-flavored yellow cake.

Now, what most people first want to know about are the Trader Joe’s vanilla cake mix ingredients. Each mix only contains sugar, unbleached enriched flour, egg yolks, salt, and soybean oil. It also contains leavening agents, xanthan gum (a thickening ingredient and stabilizer), and natural vanilla flavorings.

Now, full disclosure, on their own website you can only find the Yellow Cake And Baking Mix. However, they do also refer to this as their Vanilla Cake And Baking Mix. We couldn’t find the old box of “vanilla cake mix” and suspect it’s just rebranded.

Trader Joe’s Vanilla Cake Mix Instructions

Now, all you need to make this yellow cake is to add 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup melted butter, and 1 cup of milk. That’s it! Pretty standard for most cake mixes we’d say.

You combine the liquid ingredients first, ensuring that the eggs are beaten very well. Then, the liquid ingredients are added to the dry cake mix. Once the batter is completely uniform and smooth, it cake be baked for 27-29 minutes. The exact baking time will depend on the size of your cake pan.

About Our Trader Joe’s Vanilla Cake Mix Recipe

Now, today we will be using the Trader Joe’s Yellow Cake And Baking mix. We’ll also still use the recommended add-ins. But, we’ve made some changes that will elevate the cake mix a million times over.

Our cake recipe is still incredibly easy and quick to make. You only need to find one special ingredient (vanilla beans), but even if you don’t we have some amazing alternatives for you.

This cake mix makes about 12-14 cups of cake batter. So, there are a couple of cake pans you can use. This will enable you to create a variety of different sizes (and heights) of cake. See our tips and tricks section for more information, and for some other Trader Joe’s vanilla cake mix hacks.

Now, without further ado, let’s take a look at this enhanced Trader Joe’s vanilla cake mix hack recipe.

What You Need: Trader Joe’s Vanilla Cake Mix Hack Recipe

Ingredients for the Vanilla Cake

• 1 cup whole-milk
• 1 vanilla bean
• 3 egg yolks, room temperature
• 2 egg whites, beaten to medium-stiff peaks
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 box Trader Joe’s Yellow Cake And Baking Mix
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• Vanilla Frosting recipe
• Garnishes of your choice (or that fits your theme)

Equipment

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowls
• Cake pan of your choice
• Non-stick baking paper
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Knife
• Medium saucepan
• Whisk
• Rubber or silicone spatula
• Cooling rack

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Make the Vanilla Milk

Preheat your oven to 320ºF (160ºC). Then, line the cake pan of your choice with non-stick baking paper. Also, spray it with some cooking spray for added protection. Set it aside.

To start, split your vanilla bean lengthwise. Then, scrape out the vanilla paste. Combine the paste and milk in a medium saucepan. Give them a good whisk.

Add the vanilla shells and heat the milk over medium heat. Once it starts steaming, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare Your Ingredients

While your milk is cooling, prepare your other ingredients.

Beat your egg whites to medium-stiff peaks. You can also melt your butter and leave it to cool slightly.

Step 3: Make Your Cake Batter

Add the cake mix and baking powder to a large mixing bowl. Set it aside.

Next, whisk together the vanilla milk (remove the beans), egg yolks, and melted cooled butter.

Gently pour the wet ingredients into the dry cake mix. Stir to combine all of the ingredients well.

Step 4: Fold in the Egg Whites

Once your batter is completely smooth and uniform, gently fold in the beaten egg whites in three additions.

Keep folding until the batter is completely uniform. But, don’t overmix the ingredients. It will deflate the beaten eggs.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Gently pour the vanilla cake batter into the lined cake pan/s. Then, bake it for about 25-30 minutes. Check the doneness of your cake before removing it from the oven.

Once baked, allow it to cool for 10 minutes inside the cake pan. Then, remove it and cool it completely on a wire rack.

Step 6: Decorate Your Cake

Finally, frost and garnish your vanilla cake as you’d like. Make sure to use leveled cakes and that you crumb-coat them first.

Tips and Tricks

• To speed up the cooling process of the vanilla milk, transfer it to a cold container and place it in the freezer. Leave it for about 10 minutes to cool. Then, bring it back to room temperature.
• For this recipe, you can use the following cake pans: One 13×9 sheet pan, two 8 or 9-inch round cake pans, a 10-inch Bundt cake pan, or two 8-inch square cake pans.
• If you cannot find vanilla beans or it’s not within your budget, your next best option is the vanilla extract or vanilla concentrate. Use about 1 1/2 teaspoons for this recipe. You can also use vanilla essence, but it’s not nearly as strong. You will need to add significantly more to get the same effect, about a tablespoon, if not more.

Servings and Preparations Times 

Wrapping Things Up

We hope that you enjoyed this educational article and the Trader Joe’s vanilla cake mix hack. If you still have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out! Also, if you have any of your own Trader Joe’s vanilla cake mix hacks, please feel free to let us know in the comments below. Sharing is caring.