cake mix

Bready or Not Original: Irish Coffee Creamer Chocolate Mini Muffins

Posted by on Mar 11, 2026 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, cake mix, chocolate, muffin | 0 comments

Lo, many years ago, I featured a recipe called Baileys Irish Coffee Creamer Chocolate Mini Muffins here on Bready or Not. As I had a big container of Irish creamer to finish up, I redid the recipe, changing up some details and adding a glaze.

Bready or Not Original: Irish Coffee Creamer Chocolate Mini Muffins

Really, I think the glaze makes it. The Irish coffee creamer adds such a great flavor to chocolate!

Bready or Not Original: Irish Coffee Creamer Chocolate Mini Muffins

I used a basic box of devil’s food cake mix from Aldi. Whatever brand you get, acquire a 15.25-ounce box, not the larger one.

Bready or Not Original: Irish Coffee Creamer Chocolate Mini Muffins

Bready or Not Original: Irish Coffee Creamer Chocolate Mini Muffins

This shortcut recipe uses chocolate cake mix to churn out about 70 brownie-like mini muffins.
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Keyword: cake mix, chocolate, irish coffee creamer, mini muffin
Servings: 77 mini muffins
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • nonstick spray
  • small cookie scoop
  • mini muffin pan(s)

Ingredients

Mini muffins

  • 15.25 oz chocolate cake mix box such as devil’s food
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup nonalcoholic Irish coffee creamer
  • 1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips

Glaze

  • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 4-5 Tablespoons Irish coffee creamer
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Prep mini muffin pans(s) by applying a heavy coating of nonstick spray in the wells. Note that the recipe makes about 70 mini muffins, so having multiple pans will speed up the process. Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, eggs, oil, and Irish coffee creamer. Once there are no clumps, add the chocolate chips. Batter will be a little runny.
  • Use a teaspoon scoop to fill the wells about 2/3 full. Do NOT fill to top, as they will grow during baking.
  • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the tops are springy and the innermost muffins pass the toothpick test. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Use a fork to pry them out and onto a rack to cool. If some chocolate chips stick to the pan, try to pop them back into the muffins… or just eat them.
  • If you’re reusing the pan to do another batch, use a paper towel to swipe out the wells before adding fresh nonstick spray. Refill with batter and continue.
  • Once the muffins are cooled, place them close together in rows on parchment paper.
  • Mix the glaze ingredients to form a thick glaze. Either drizzle lines across the muffins or add a small spoon onto each. Let set an hour or so until glaze is firm.
  • Store in a sealed container in the fridge or at room temperature.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not: Gooey Butter Bars [Cake Mix Variation]

    Posted by on Apr 10, 2024 in Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, cake, cake mix, cheese galore | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Gooey Butter Bars [Cake Mix Variation]

    A few months ago, I shared a time-consuming yeast-based recipe for making St. Louis Butter Cake. I continue to explore different takes on this Missouri classic, and this time around, the Gooey Butter Bars use convenient cake mix! (If you’re more interested in cookies than cake, I can also point you towards a Bready or Not guest post from Dan Koboldt back in 2018 where he shared Gooey Butter Cake Cookies that also use cake mix.)

    Bready or Not: Gooey Butter Bars [Cake Mix Variation]

    To maximize the cheapness and convenience of this recipe, I used entirely Aldi ingredients. Their cake mix is as good as the name brands.

    Bready or Not: Gooey Butter Bars [Cake Mix Variation]

    When it comes down to taste, I far prefer the yeast version. It is sweet and delicate with nuance–but it also takes a long time to make. This version is easy, but the sweetness could come across as cloyingly strong. So, keep that in mind in regards to your audience’s tastes.

    Bready or Not: Gooey Butter Bars [Cake Mix Variation]

    Modified from Centennial Kitchen Fall Baking 2021 Magazine.

    Bready or Not: Gooey Butter Bars [Cake Mix Variation]

    This fast-to-make take on St. Louis Butter Cake uses cake mix and cream cheese. The result is a super-sweet and chewy sugar bomb that will delight kids and adults. Modified from Centennial Kitchen Fall Baking 2021 Magazine.
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cake, cake mix, cheese, cream cheese
    Author: Beth Cato

    Equipment

    • 15x10x1 pan
    • aluminum foil
    • nonstick spray

    Ingredients

    Cake base

    • 15.25- ounce yellow cake mix or white cake mix
    • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
    • 1 large egg

    Top layer

    • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
    • 2 large eggs
    • 4 cups confectioners’ sugar

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Line a 15x10x1 inch pan (also called a jelly roll pan) with foil; apply nonstick spray.
    • In a large bowl, stir together cake mix, butter, and egg, until they are crumbly. Pat the entire dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. It will be very thin and fiddly to work with.
    • In the same bowl, beat together the cream cheese and eggs until they are fairly smooth; a few clumps are okay. Gradually mix in the confectioners’ sugar to make a cohesive mix. Spread on top of the crust.
    • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the middle is set and golden brown. Cool at room temperature, and chill in fridge to completely set.
    • A reminder that this is called ‘Gooey Butter Cake.’ Cut pieces finger-sized. Some in the middle may be particularly gooey. If not serving immediately, move pieces to a lidded container and use waxed paper between the stacked layers. They will stay firmer and less-gooey if they are kept chilled.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not Original: Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars

      Posted by on Jun 29, 2022 in Blog, Bready or Not, cake, cake mix, chocolate, cookies | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars

      Don’t scoff at cake mix. These Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars are so tasty, no one will guess that a box mix was involved.

      Bready or Not Original: Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars

      I love from-scratch baked goodies, but cake mix has its uses, especially when there is a time crunch. The ‘chemical’ flavor of these mixes can be eliminated with some simple doctoring techniques.

      Bready or Not Original: Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars

      I created this recipe because my husband had a co-worker who requested German Chocolate Cake. There was no way an actual cake was going to be easily ported to his work, and since 2020, I’ve been individually packaging all the goodies that he takes.

      Bready or Not Original: Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars

      That meant a bar recipe was the way to go. The use of cake mix was a necessity as I had little time for fiddly recipes that week. I needed something I could throw together, fast.

      Bready or Not Original: Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars

      These things turned out to be delicious with a great mix of textures from the cakey base to the chewy coconut to the soft chocolate chips on top.. The bars were quite cohesive and stayed together well when sliced and individually wrapped, too!

      Bready or Not Original: Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars

      Do you need a fast-to-make German Chocolate Cake, and one that’s portable without a fuss? Then this recipe is for you! No one will be able to tell this is a doctored cake mix.
      Course: Dessert
      Cuisine: American
      Keyword: cake, cake mix, chocolate, coconut
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • 9×13 pan
      • aluminum foil

      Ingredients

      crust

      • 15 ounce German Chocolate Cake Mix such as Betty Crocker brand
      • 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder optional
      • 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick, melted
      • 1 large egg room temperature

      filling

      • 14 ounce sweetened condensed milk
      • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
      • 1 large egg room temperature
      • 1 cup pecan pieces
      • 1 cup unsweetened coconut either shredded or flaked
      • 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

      Instructions

      • Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Line a 9×13 pan with foil and apply nonstick spray or butter.
      • In a big bowl, mix together the cake mix, espresso powder (if using), butter, and egg. Press the dough into the bottom of the pan and even out. Bake for 7 minutes. While that’s cooking, prepare the filling.
      • In the same big bowl (no need to wash it), mix together the sweetened condensed mix, vanilla, egg, pecans, and coconut. Once the crust’s first bake is done, bring it out of the oven. Pour the filling over it and even out. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
      • Bake for an additional 24 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely, speeding the process in the fridge, if desired. Use foil to lift bars onto a cutting board to divide into slices. Store covered or individually wrapped at room temperature.

      OM NOM NOM!

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        Bready or Not Original: S’mores Cake Mix Bars

        Posted by on Feb 17, 2021 in Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, cake mix, chocolate, cookies | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: S’mores Cake Mix Bars

        Cake mix is fantastic ingredient to keep in the pantry for a quick-fix dessert. It’s easy to doctor into something extraordinary, such as with these S’mores Cake Mix Bars.

        Bready or Not Original: S'mores Cake Mix Bars

        This is a treat that doesn’t taste like cake mix at the end. It’s just sweet and wonderful, courtesy of the lovely combination of ingredients.

        Bready or Not Original: S'mores Cake Mix Bars

        I used ready-made graham crackers crumbs here, but really, you could probably use various kind of vanilla cookies, smashed, to mix in. Vanilla wafers or even Golden Oreos would be good substitutes.

        Bready or Not Original: S'mores Cake Mix Bars

        I love bar recipes like this where ingredients are swirled together at the end. There is something visually delightful about that marbled look.

        Bready or Not Original: S'mores Cake Mix Bars

        Be sure that when these bars are sliced, they are stores with waxed paper between the layers. Marshmallow makes things a bit sticky! And delicious.

        Bready or Not Original: S'mores Cake Mix Bars

        Bready or Not Original: S’mores Cake Mix Bars

        This original Bready or Not recipe uses cake mix for a quick-fix delicious dessert that doesn’t at all taste like cake mix. It’s just plain delicious.
        Course: Dessert, Snack
        Cuisine: American
        Keyword: bars, cake mix, chocolate, marshmallow
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • 9×13 pan
        • waxed paper

        Ingredients

        • 1 box white cake mix or yellow cake mix or French Vanilla
        • 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick, melted
        • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
        • 2 eggs room temperature
        • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
        • 7 ounce marshmallow fluff jar
        • 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

        Instructions

        • Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Line a 9×13 casserole pan with foil and apply nonstick spray or butter.
        • In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, butter, vanilla extract, and eggs until no dry crumbs remain. Fold in the chocolate chips.
        • Pour batter into the prepared pan and even out surface. Add the graham cracker crumbs in little piles scattered across the top. Use a butter knife to partially swirl the crumbs into the dough. Add dollops of marshmallow fluff across the top. Again, swirl the marshmallow into the dough, coating it with graham crackers in the process. Don’t combine everything too much–there should still be visible swirls and varied textures.
        • Bake at 350-degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, until edges are golden and contents look set.
        • Completely cool at room temperature or speed process in the fridge. Use foil to lift the contents onto a cutting board. Slice into bars. Store in a sealed container with waxed paper between the stacked layers.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not Original: Hazelnut Hand Cake [cake mix]

          Posted by on Jul 15, 2020 in Blog, Bready or Not, cake, cake mix, chocolate, nutty | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Hazelnut Hand Cake [cake mix]

          Doctor up a basic yellow cake mix box into an amazing Hazelnut Hand Cake!

          Bready or Not Original: Hazelnut Hand Cake [cake mix]

          It’s called hand cake because it’s convenient to eat without a knife and fork. Heck, napkins are optional, if you don’t mind a dropped crumb or two.

          Bready or Not Original: Hazelnut Hand Cake [cake mix]

          This cake has a mild chocolate flavor–milder than that of a typical chocolate cake, from a mix or not. Nutella (or use a store-brand equivalent, as I did) is whipped into the batter, with some extra chocolate chips adding a gentle layer of flavor.

          Bready or Not Original: Hazelnut Hand Cake [cake mix]

          This thing is all about convenience. The cake comes together fast. Bakes fast. Give it some initial time to cool at room temp, then stash it in the fridge, and you can eat it even faster.

          Bready or Not Original: Hazelnut Hand Cake [cake mix]

          The end result is a cake with a soft, high, very moist crumb. The scattered nuts and toffee add extra flavor and crunch.

          Bready or Not Original: Hazelnut Hand Cake [cake mix]

          My husband’s co-workers inhaled this cake. One guy said it was the best Cato treat ever. Considering the goodies that come their way, that is high praise indeed.

          Bready or Not Original: Hazelnut Hand Cake [cake mix]

          No one will know this recipe uses cake mix! The resulting cake is easy to eat from your hand, no knife and fork required, and it embodies a gentler chocolate flavor than your typical chocolate cake.
          Course: Dessert, Snack
          Cuisine: American
          Keyword: cake mix, chocolate, hazelnuts
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • 13x9 pan

          Ingredients

          • 1 box yellow cake mix
          • 3 large eggs
          • 2/3 cup water
          • 2/3 cup Nutella or similar hazelnut spread
          • 1/4 cup canola oil or vegetable oil
          • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
          • 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts toasted or not
          • 1/2 cup Heath toffee bits
          • confectioners' sugar to dust top, optional

          Instructions

          • Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Line a 13x9-inch pan with foil and apply nonstick spray.
          • In a large bowl, beat together the cake mix, eggs, water, hazelnut spread, and oil for several minutes, until thoroughly combined and no lumps remain. Fold in the chocolate chips, hazelnuts, and toffee bits. Pour batter into prepared pan.
          • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until center is no longer jiggly and passes the toothpick test.
          • Cool completely to room temperature; place in fridge to speed process along. Use foil to lift contents onto cutting board. If desired, sprinkle confectioners' sugar over top. Slice into pieces.
          • Store in sealed container(s) at room temperature.

          OM NOM NOM!

             

             

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            Bready or Not Original: Cream Cheese-Stuffed Lemon Bundt Cake [cake mix]

            Posted by on Apr 22, 2020 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, bundt, cake, cake mix, cheese galore, lemon | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Cream Cheese-Stuffed Lemon Bundt Cake [cake mix]

            This is a simple-yet-fancy recipe that uses 1) cake mix, 2) a bundt pan, and 3) ends up tasting like a giant lemon Twinkie. YUM.

            Bready or Not Original: Cream Cheese-Stuffed Lemon Bundt Cake [cake mix]

            This is one of those cakes that looks like it requires tons of works, but it really doesn’t. Because of the addition of fresh lemon and lemon curd, the chemical taste of cake mix is completely masked, too.

            Bready or Not Original: Cream Cheese-Stuffed Lemon Bundt Cake [cake mix]

            The filling is an easy step, too. I hate piping, but it was not prob here. I used a gallon Ziploc, snipped off the corner, ta-da!

            Bready or Not Original: Cream Cheese-Stuffed Lemon Bundt Cake [cake mix]

            This cake would be great for breakfast, brunch, snack, or dessert. Whenever, really.

            Bready or Not Original: Cream Cheese-Stuffed Lemon Bundt Cake [cake mix]

            Make this when you have numerous people to share with. It’s just so, so tempting and delicious. Like Twinkies. BUT BETTER.

            Bready or Not Original: Cream Cheese-Stuffed Lemon Bundt Cake [cake mix]

            This recipe is over halfway through my April of lemon recipes!
            Lemon Sour Cream Bundt Cake
            Glazed Lemon Ginger Bars
            Cranberry Lemon Biscotti
            Cream Cheese Stuffed Lemon Bundt Cake [today]
            Lemon Frangipane

            Bready or Not Original: Cream Cheese-Stuffed Lemon Bundt Cake [cake mix]

            Bready or Not Original: Cream Cheese-Stuffed Lemon Bundt Cake

            This Bready or Not Original recipe is super-easy with a fancy result that tastes like a giant lemon Twinkie!
            Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
            Keyword: bundt cake, cake, cream cheese, lemon
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • large bundt pan

            Ingredients

            Filling

            • 8 ounce cream cheese 1 box, softened
            • 1/4 cup white sugar
            • 1 large lemon zested and juiced

            Cake

            • 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
            • 3 eggs room temperature
            • 1 box yellow cake mix
            • 3/4 cup lemon curd

            Glaze

            • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
            • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
            • 1 Tablespoon lemon curd

            Instructions

            Make the filling

            • In a small bowl, mash together the cream cheese, white sugar, lemon zest and 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice; reserve the remaining juice for the glaze. Once the filling is combined, spoon it into a piping bag with large tip or a gallon Ziploc bag with the corner cut off.

            Make the cake

            • Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Apply nonstick spray to a large bundt pan.
            • In a big bowl, cream together the butter and eggs. Add the cake mix, scraping bottom of bowl as needed. Add the lemon curd, beating until mix turns fluffy.
            • Spoon about half the cake mix into the prepared pan. Pipe the filling in a circle around the top of the batter. Try to keep the filling from touching the sides. Add the rest of the batter on top and smooth it out.
            • Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the middle passes the toothpick test.
            • Cool on a wire rack about 20 minutes, then invert the cake onto a wire rack to completely cool.

            Make the glaze

            • Whisk together the confectioners' sugar, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 Tablespoon lemon curd to form a thick yet oozy glaze. If necessary, add more juice or water to thin, or more confectioners' sugar to thicken. Drizzle atop cake.
            • Store under a cake dome or plastic wrap in fridge.

            OM NOM NOM!

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