How To Turn Vanilla Cake Mix Into Chocolate - WikiHow

Home » How To Turn Vanilla Cake Mix Into Chocolate » How To Turn Vanilla Cake Mix Into Chocolate - WikiHow

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Turn Vanilla Cake Mix Into Chocolate: Tips and Tricks PDF download Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Making Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Cake Mix 2 Elevating the Chocolate Flavor Other Sections VideoWATCH NOW Related Articles References 4 Recipe Ratings Co-authored by Jessica Banh and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: June 3, 2025 Fact Checked

PDF download Download Article ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was co-authored by Jessica Banh and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Jessica Banh is a Pastry Chef and the Owner of Fancy Flavors in San Jose, California. With over 12 years of technical experience, Jessica has expertise in a wide variety of pastry techniques and has a focus on macarons. Her work has been featured in The SF Chronicle, The Mercury News, and Good Morning America. She received her training from The Professional Culinary Institute. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 76,856 times.

If you're craving chocolate cake but only have vanilla cake mix on hand, we've got lots of simple solutions to convert your cake mix! It's easy to add cocoa powder to white or yellow mix, but we'll also show you how to get a rich chocolatey flavor using ingredients you already have in your pantry. Read on for extra tips to emphasize the chocolate flavor and make your cake taste flavorful.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Making Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Cake Mix

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Add ¼ cup (30 g) of cocoa powder to each package of mix. 1 Add ¼ cup (30 g) of cocoa powder to each package of mix. Just pour the unsweetened cocoa powder into a mixing bowl along with the dry white or yellow cake mix. Whisk it for about 30 seconds to blend the cocoa with the mix.[1]
    • It's fine to use natural cocoa or Dutch-process cocoa—natural cocoa has most of its fat removed before it's ground, while Dutch-process is natural cocoa that's been treated to remove some of its acidity. This creates a stronger chocolate flavor.
    • If you use natural cocoa and your mix lists baking soda or sodium bicarbonate, add yogurt or sour cream as mentioned in the next method. An acidic dairy ingredient neutralizes the acidity in natural cocoa, so it tastes more chocolatey.[2]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Turn Vanilla Cake Mix Into Chocolate 2 Substitute instant chocolate pudding mix if you don’t have cocoa. If you searched the cupboard but can't find cocoa powder, it's totally fine to use a 3.9-ounce (110 g) box of instant chocolate pudding mix instead. Just whisk the pudding mix into a bowl with your dry cake mix.[3]
    • There's no need to blend the pudding mix with milk before you add it to the bowl with the cake mix.
    • Keep in mind that your chocolate cake will be sweeter if you use instant chocolate pudding rather than cocoa powder.
    Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Follow the rest of the instructions on the cake mix package. 3 Follow the rest of the instructions on the cake mix package. Mix in the rest of the ingredients that the manufacturer calls for (or make adjustments that are recommended in the following method). Then, bake the cake as directed.
    • In general, you won't need to add to the baking time unless you add ingredients like sour cream or yogurt. If the cake doesn't look done after the recommended baking time, check it again after a few minutes.
    4. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Elevating the Chocolate Flavor

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Turn Vanilla Cake Mix Into Chocolate 1 Pour chocolate syrup into the filled cake pans for an extra chocolate layer. To give your chocolate cake a little something extra, spread half of your prepared batter in the cake pans. Drizzle 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of chocolate syrup evenly over the batter. Then, spread the rest of the batter over it.[4]
    • Don't let the chocolate syrup touch the sides of the pan or it could stick and burn.
    • When you cut into the baked cake, you'll have an extra-rich layer of chocolate in the middle.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Turn Vanilla Cake Mix Into Chocolate 2 Mix in a handful of chocolate chips for a sweeter flavor. If you've got a bag of chocolate chips lying around, stir some into the batter just before you pour it into the pans. The chocolate chips won't melt, so your cake will be studded with little bits of chocolate![5]
    • Play around with different flavors of chips. Add peanut chips or white chocolate chips to your chocolate cake batter for instance.
  3. Step 3 Replace the water with coffee to make the chocolate flavor really pop. 3 Replace the water with coffee to make the chocolate flavor really pop. Substitute an equal amount of coffee for the water called for on the package. There's no need to cool the coffee before adding it to the cake mix along with the oil and eggs.[6]
    • Adding coffee won't make your cake taste like coffee—it just enhances and brings out the richness in the cocoa.
    • If you're avoiding caffeine, it's fine to use decaf coffee instead.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Turn Vanilla Cake Mix Into Chocolate 4 Add 1/2 cup of sour cream for an extra moist cake. Since you added cocoa powder to the cake mix, the cake could turn out dry unless you add some extra moisture. Sour cream is a fantastic way to bump up the moisture and flavor of your chocolate cake. Stir the sour cream into the batter when you add the other wet ingredients (like eggs, oil or butter, etc).[7]
    • It's completely fine to use low-fat sour cream or even plain yogurt.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Turn Vanilla Cake Mix Into Chocolate 5 Substitute butter for the oil to get a richer flavor. Most cake mixes call for vegetable oil, but if you substitute the same amount of melted butter, you'll get a lot more flavor! Feel free to use unsalted or salted butter—just let it cool to room temperature before you mix it into the batter along with the eggs.[8]
    • If you're trying to cut back on dairy or just want a different flavor, melt coconut oil and use it instead. You'll be rewarded with a chocolate cake that's extra light and fluffy.
  6. Step 6 Frost the cake with homemade chocolate buttercream. 6 Frost the cake with homemade chocolate buttercream. While you could buy a container of frosting, homemade buttercream is actually pretty easy to make and it tastes great. Whip up a fudgy chocolate buttercream for a super chocolatey cake, try strawberry buttercream for a slightly fruity taste that's great with chocolate cake, or go with the classic vanilla buttercream.
    • Cream cheese frosting or peanut butter frosting also tastes wonderful on a chocolate cake.
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

Make Box Cake Taste Like Bakery Cake14 Easy Ways to Make Boxed Cake Mix Taste Homemade Make a Chocolate CakeHow toMake a Chocolate Cake Use Cocoa as a Chocolate SubstituteHow toUse Cocoa as a Chocolate Substitute Make Simple Five Minute FrostingHow to Make Simple Icing in 5 Minutes or Less Make Cake in a MugHow toMake Cake in a Mug How toMake a Cake from a Mix Without Oil and Eggs 2 Easy Ways to Bake Cake in the Microwave Make Chocolate MilkHow toMake Chocolate Milk Bake a CakeBeginner-Friendly Cake Recipes to Make From Scratch Make Cupcakes with Cake MixHow toMake Cupcakes with Cake Mix Make Cake Icing3 Quick Cake Icing Recipes Anyone Can Make Make Protein Powder Taste GoodHow toMake Protein Powder Taste Good Make ChocolateMaking Chocolate at Home: 2 Simple Recipes Make a Simple Chocolate CakeHow toMake a Simple Chocolate Cake Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.simplyscratch.com/homemade-chocolate-cake-mix/
  2. ↑ https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/2025/02/04/natural-vs-dutch-process-cocoa/
  3. ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/a-chocolate-syrup-cake-243080
  4. ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/a-chocolate-syrup-cake-243080
  5. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/make-box-mix-cake-taste-homemade/
  6. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/make-box-mix-cake-taste-homemade/
  7. ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/the-worlds-fastest-chocolate-sour-cream-cake-maybe-the-best-410482
  8. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-make-box-cake-better-6527296

About This Article

Jessica Banh Co-authored by: Jessica Banh Pastry Chef This article was co-authored by Jessica Banh and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Jessica Banh is a Pastry Chef and the Owner of Fancy Flavors in San Jose, California. With over 12 years of technical experience, Jessica has expertise in a wide variety of pastry techniques and has a focus on macarons. Her work has been featured in The SF Chronicle, The Mercury News, and Good Morning America. She received her training from The Professional Culinary Institute. This article has been viewed 76,856 times. 4 votes - 100% Co-authors: 4 Updated: June 3, 2025 Views: 76,856 Categories: Dessert Cakes In other languages Portuguese Spanish Dutch
  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 76,856 times.

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Jessica Banh Co-authored by: Jessica Banh Pastry Chef Co-authors: 4 Updated: June 3, 2025 Views: 76,856 100% of voters found this recipe helpful. 4 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote

Quizzes & Games

What Should I Bake QuizWhat Should I Bake QuizTake QuizWhat Cake Flavor Am I QuizWhat Cake Flavor Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Does The Milkshake You Make Say About You?What Does The Milkshake You Make Say About You?Analyze MeRandom Recipe GeneratorRandom Recipe GeneratorGenerateIce Cream Personality TestIce Cream Personality TestTake QuizWhat Food Am I QuizWhat Food Am I QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

Make Box Cake Taste Like Bakery Cake14 Easy Ways to Make Boxed Cake Mix Taste HomemadeMake a Chocolate CakeHow toMake a Chocolate CakeUse Cocoa as a Chocolate SubstituteHow toUse Cocoa as a Chocolate SubstituteMake Simple Five Minute FrostingHow to Make Simple Icing in 5 Minutes or Less

Featured Articles

A Complete Style Guide for the Gamine Kibbe Body TypeA Complete Style Guide for the Gamine Kibbe Body Type Tell if You’re in LoveHow to Tell if You’re in LoveWhich Chaotic Evil Villain Am I QuizWhich Chaotic Evil Villain Am I QuizWhat Does It Mean If Someone Tries to Kill You in Your Dream?What Does It Mean If Someone Tries to Kill You in Your Dream?200+ Best Questions to Ask Someone You Like (Texting & IRL)200+ Best Questions to Ask Someone You Like (Texting & IRL)How Beautiful Am I QuizHow Beautiful Am I Quiz

Trending Articles

Let Us Rate You 1-10: Attractiveness Scale QuizLet Us Rate You 1-10: Attractiveness Scale QuizCan We Guess If You're Single or Taken?Can We Guess If You're Single or Taken?Make OutHow toMake OutAm I a Gigachad or Totally Chopped?Am I a Gigachad or Totally Chopped?How Rare Is My Birthday QuizHow Rare Is My Birthday QuizHow Nonchalant Am I QuizHow Nonchalant Am I Quiz

Featured Articles

13 Types of Hairlines for Men and Women (And How to Maintain Yours)13 Types of Hairlines for Men and Women (And How to Maintain Yours)Which of the 8 Face Shapes Do You Have? Helpful Tips & Style GuidanceWhich of the 8 Face Shapes Do You Have? Helpful Tips & Style GuidanceMental Illness TestMental Illness TestEnjoy the HolidaysHow toEnjoy the Holidays Get 250 Grams of Protein Daily: Best Foods, Meal Plans & MoreHow to Get 250 Grams of Protein Daily: Best Foods, Meal Plans & MoreAm I Girly QuizAm I Girly Quiz

Featured Articles

200 Fun, Flirty, & Deep Questions to Get to Know a Guy Better200 Fun, Flirty, & Deep Questions to Get to Know a Guy Better Tighten Skin Under Your Chin: Natural or Surgical OptionsHow to Tighten Skin Under Your Chin: Natural or Surgical OptionsWhat Would My Nickname Be QuizWhat Would My Nickname Be Quiz21 Common Hand Signs & Gestures (& What They Mean)21 Common Hand Signs & Gestures (& What They Mean)170+ Best Useless Facts That Sound Like Lies170+ Best Useless Facts That Sound Like LiesIs He Interested In Me QuizIs He Interested In Me Quiz

Watch Articles

Wrap a Round GiftHow toWrap a Round GiftSteam in an OvenHow toSteam in an Oven Make Plant-Based Meat: 4 Incredible RecipesHow to Make Plant-Based Meat: 4 Incredible RecipesClean a Silver NecklaceHow toClean a Silver Necklace4 Easy Ways to Open a Can of Soda4 Easy Ways to Open a Can of SodaPart Your HairHow toPart Your Hair

Trending Articles

180 Good Comebacks & Savage Roasts to Win Any Argument180 Good Comebacks & Savage Roasts to Win Any ArgumentAm I a Furry QuizAm I a Furry QuizHave I Met My Soulmate Yet QuizHave I Met My Soulmate Yet QuizRandom Fortune GeneratorRandom Fortune GeneratorWhat Should My Name Really Be QuizWhat Should My Name Really Be QuizWhat Are the Gay Male Body Types (And Which Do You Have?)What Are the Gay Male Body Types (And Which Do You Have?)

Quizzes & Games

What Dirty Soda Am I QuizWhat Dirty Soda Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Eat for Dinner QuizWhat Should I Eat for Dinner QuizTake QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizTake QuizWhat Makeup Should I Wear QuizWhat Makeup Should I Wear QuizTake QuizWhat Color Should I Dye My Hair QuizWhat Color Should I Dye My Hair QuizTake QuizGuess the Food QuizGuess the Food QuizTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Food and Entertaining
  • Recipes
  • Desserts and Sweets
  • Dessert Cakes
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Let's do this! X --622

Tag » How To Turn Vanilla Cake Mix Into Chocolate