Yes, there are cake mixes that can be used to make milk chocolate cake. Most cake mix brands offer chocolate cake mixes, which can be prepared with milk instead of water to produce a richer, milk chocolate flavor. Additionally, some brands produce mixes specifically labeled as “milk chocolate” cake mix. When prepared according to the package instructions with milk, these mixes will yield a moist chocolate cake infused with the flavor of milk chocolate.
Popular Brands of Milk Chocolate Cake Mix
Several major cake mix brands offer milk chocolate varieties:
Betty Crocker
Betty Crocker, one of the most widely known and distributed cake mix brands, offers a Super Moist Milk Chocolate cake mix. When prepared with milk, this mix makes a milk chocolate cake that is soft and velvety.
Duncan Hines
Duncan Hines, another very popular cake mix brand, has both Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate cake mix varieties. Their milk chocolate mix can be prepared with milk to yield a rich, creamy milk chocolate cake.
Pillsbury
Pillsbury, known for their refrigerated dough products, also produces cake mix lines. Their Funfetti Milk Chocolate cake mix includes colorful sprinkles and can be made with milk instead of water.
King Arthur
King Arthur Baking Company offers a Milk Chocolate Cake Mix that requires the addition of milk and butter to the mix. It bakes into a fudgy, moist chocolate cake with pronounced milk chocolate flavor.
Ghirardelli
Ghirardelli is a premium chocolate brand that makes a Double Chocolate cake mix. Prepare with milk, and it delivers an intense chocolate experience.
Grocery Store Options for Milk Chocolate Cake Mix
In addition to mixes from the most popular national cake mix brands, many grocery store chains also offer store brand milk chocolate cake mixes:
| Grocery Store | Store Brand Milk Chocolate Cake Mix |
|---|---|
| Kroger | Private Selection Milk Chocolate Cake Mix |
| Safeway | Signature Select Milk Chocolate Cake Mix |
| Publix | Publix Milk Chocolate Cake Mix |
| Hy-Vee | Hy-Vee Milk Chocolate Cake Mix |
| Stop & Shop | Simply Enjoy Milk Chocolate Cake Mix |
| Giant | Food Club Milk Chocolate Cake Mix |
These store brand mixes are generally less expensive than national brand mixes while delivering comparable milk chocolate flavor. Checking the baking aisle of your local grocery store chain for their version of a milk chocolate cake mix can be an affordable option.
Making Milk Chocolate Cake from Scratch
For the truest milk chocolate cake flavor, some bakers prefer to make their own cake from scratch instead of using a boxed mix. This allows you to control the exact ingredients and milk chocolate taste. Here are some tips for making homemade milk chocolate cake:
– Choose a quality milk chocolate for the cake batter. Opt for a bar with at least 30% cocoa butter, like Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate.
– Melt the milk chocolate and allow it to cool slightly before mixing into the batter. This helps distribute the chocolate flavor evenly.
– Replace 1/4 cup (60ml) of the butter or oil in your favorite chocolate cake recipe with melted milk chocolate.
– Replace the water called for in your cake recipe with milk. Whole milk works best.
– Boost the chocolate flavor by mixing cocoa powder into the cake batter along with melted milk chocolate. Start with 3-4 tablespoons (24-32g).
– Frost your homemade milk chocolate cake with a rich chocolate buttercream, ganache, or chocolate whipped cream frosting.
Using Dark Chocolate Cake Mix
While milk chocolate cake mixes provide convenience, you can also improvise a milk chocolate cake starting with a dark chocolate cake mix:
– Prepare the dark chocolate cake mix according to the package directions, substituting milk for water.
– Fold 1/2 cup (80g) of melted milk chocolate chips into the prepared cake batter.
– Instead of the frosting mix that may come with the cake mix, use a milk chocolate frosting recipe. Cream cheese or whipped cream-based frostings pair well.
– Optionally, mix 2-3 tablespoons (16-24g) of instant chocolate pudding mix into the cake batter before baking for extra moisture and flavor.
With a few minor tweaks, a dark chocolate cake mix can be transformed into a satisfactory homemade milk chocolate cake.
Milk Chocolate Cake Mix Recipes
Take your milk chocolate cake up a notch with decadent mix-ins, frostings, and decorations:
Molten Lava Cake
Prepare milk chocolate cake mix according to package directions. Then fill the center with miniature chocolate chips or squares before baking. The chocolate will melt into an ooey-gooey lava cake texture.
Milk Chocolate Chip Cake
Stir 1 cup (240g) of milk chocolate chips into the prepared cake batter before baking to create a chocolate chip-studded cake.
Fudge Ripple Cake
Layer prepared milk chocolate cake with marshmallow creme, marshmallows, or fudge sauce before serving for tasty stripes of fudge rippling through the cake.
Milk Chocolate Buttercream
Beat room temperature butter with confectioner’s sugar, milk, and melted milk chocolate until fluffy and spreadable. Perfect pairing for milk chocolate cake!
Chocolate Ganache
Mix equal parts heavy cream and chopped milk chocolate in a saucepan until smooth. Chill until thickened and pour over cake for a glazed finish.
Where to Buy Milk Chocolate Cake Mix
Milk chocolate cake mixes can be purchased at any grocery store that sells cake mixes, whether national retail chains like Walmart, membership warehouse stores like Costco, or local independent grocers. They are reliably stocked in the baking aisle alongside other cake, brownie, muffin, and cookie mixes.
Online shopping provides another convenient option for buying milk chocolate cake mixes. Many grocery delivery services like Instacart allow you to order brands like Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, or store brand milk chocolate cake mixes along with the rest of your groceries. Amazon also sells a wide selection of milk and dark chocolate cake mixes available for shipping. Order individual mixes or bulk packs for convenience.
Storing and Shelf Life of Milk Chocolate Cake Mix
An unopened package of milk chocolate cake mix can generally be stored in your pantry at room temperature for 6-9 months past the printed expiration date on the box. Once opened, an airtight container or resealed original packaging will maintain quality for around 6 months. For longest shelf life up to 1 year, refrigerate opened milk chocolate cake mixes. Properly stored, the mixes should retain their milk chocolate flavor and leavening ability even after the expiry date has passed, though some degradation in rising power is to be expected over time.
Freezing milk chocolate cake mix can extend its shelf life even longer, up to 2 years past the printed expiration date. Thaw frozen milk chocolate cake mix overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Conclusion
Milk chocolate cake mixes offer a quick and easy way to bake moist, delicious chocolate cakes with all the rich flavor of milk chocolate. Major brands like Duncan Hines, Ghirardelli, and Betty Crocker all produce milk chocolate cake mixes, as do most grocery store chains under their private labels. For ultimate flavor control, you can also bake milk chocolate cakes from scratch. Prepared with milk instead of water, and loaded with chocolate chips, fudge swirls, ganache, or buttercream, milk chocolate cake mixes satisfy any chocolate lover’s craving.