The Best Way to Use Boxed Cake Mix? Not for Cake!

Boxed cake mix is a go-to for quick and easy home baking. These pre-measured ingredients help even beginners create tasty cakes and cupcakes. But savvy bakers know that the true magic happens when you think beyond cake. With a simple box of cake mix, you can make everything from a No-Fail Pound Cake to a super easy Applesauce Cake. The real fun begins when you forget the instructions and get creative—whether it’s cookies, a gooey dump cake, or even banana bread.

A friend’s mom makes an incredible streusel crumb cake, and that was the spark for my latest cake mix innovation. To be honest, I could easily eat just the buttery, crunchy topping without a second thought about what’s underneath.

As fall baking season kicks off, I’m always looking for ways to add a sweet, crunchy layer to desserts. And I discovered a two-ingredient hack for making the perfect crumb topping. This little trick will leave everyone asking, 'How did you make this?'

How to Turn Cake Mix into a Perfect Streusel Topping

To create a deliciously crispy, crumbly streusel topping, you only need two ingredients: a box of cake mix and some butter. The ideal ratio I’ve found is one box of cake mix to 6-8 tablespoons of butter, depending on how chunky you want your streusel.

Simply melt the butter, stir it into the cake mix, and combine. Then, sprinkle the streusel on top of baked goods like muffins, cakes, or loaves before baking. Alternatively, bake the cakey crumbs until golden and crispy, and use them as a topping for pies, ice cream, or any dessert in need of a flavorful crunch.

The best part of this 'recipe' is the freedom to get creative. Much like our other favorite two-ingredient boxed cake mix hack, you can experiment with different flavors. The butter and cake mix blend really concentrates the flavor in the toasted streusel, so the cake mix variety shines through.

Try topping blueberry muffins or a loaf of pumpkin bread with a spice cake mix streusel. Add some Devil's food or red velvet cake crumble on a chocolate cream pie or icebox cake. Or how about a fun twist with Funfetti or vanilla cake crumbs on a hot fudge sundae? Count me in!

I’ve also experimented with mixing vanilla and chocolate cake mixes, vanilla with lemon, and chocolate with red velvet. This hack works wonderfully with gluten-free boxed cake mixes too, yielding scrumptious results.

My favorite way to use these crispy streusel bits is to elevate a store-bought cake for a quick, last-minute treat. Simply sprinkle them on top or around the edges for a fancy touch. It’s my secret semi-homemade trick to make a cake look like it was made by a professional baker.

How to Make a Simple 2-Ingredient Cake Mix Streusel

Ingredients:

• 1 box cake mix of your choice
• 6-8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Using your hands, a fork, or a spatula, mix the cake mix with 6 tablespoons of melted butter in a bowl. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Stir until you form pea-sized crumbs. If you prefer larger crumbs or if the mixture seems dry, add extra melted butter, about a tablespoon at a time, until the texture is just right.
2. If you're adding the streusel to a dessert before baking, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge or freezer until ready to use.
3. If you're adding it after baking, spread the mixture evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the crumbs are golden brown and smell toasted. Let it cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer until you're ready to use it.

Note: Any leftover streusel can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for your next baking adventure.