How Many Cups of Batter in a Cake Mix

Cake mix can certainly be handy whether you’re in a pinch or you’re just not the “baking” type. However, buying a box of cake mix might not provide you with enough batter for your dream cake. That’s why you need to know that there are typically around four cups of batter per box.

Hey, there! My name is Michelle, and I love baking (and eating) cake. I don’t tend to use cake mixes too often, but I can’t deny I have used them here and there. My mom swears by them, too! That said, I have definitely found out how many cups of batter are in a box cake mix.

If you need to know how many cups of batter are in a cake mix box, you’ve come to the right place. This article will share how many cups of cake batter you can expect from a single cake mix box. From there, you can decide how many boxes of cake mix you truly need.

Are you ready to learn more about how many cups of batter in a cake mix box?

How Many Cups of Batter Can a Box of Cake Mix Make

Knowing how many cups of batter are in a box of cake mix is important, especially if you’re looking to make a large or two-tiered cake. Frankly, an XL-sized cake is going to need more than a single box of cake mix. So how much do you need?

Most cake mix boxes contain around four cups of batter. 

However, this amount of batter can differ depending on the brand. For instance, Betty Crocker’sCrocker cake mixes contain four cups of batter, while Duncan Hines has only three and a half. Pillsbury is known to contain closer to five cups of batter.

So what’s the deal with all of the different amounts? Well, it really comes down to the thickness and quality of the cakes. Since Betty Crocker cakes tend to be denser and use more liquid, more mix is needed. Duncan Hines cakes are fluffier and lighter with less liquid.

If you’re unsure how many boxes of cake mix you need, it’s better to have too much than too little. Most cake box mixes contain enough for a 9-inch cake so that you can do the math. For example, if you’re making even a 10-inch cake, buy two boxes of cake mix to be on the safe side.

FAQs

When it comes to how many cups of batter are in a cake mix box, it changes by the company. Most boxes have around four cups, though. If you still have questions about this topic, check out some of the frequently asked questions below.

How many cups are in a 15.25 oz box of cake mix?

A 15.25-ounce box of cake mix will have 3 1/2 cups of batter inside.

How many cups are in a Betty Crocker cake mix?

Betty Crocker cake mix boxes will have four cups of cake batter inside.

How many cups of batter are in a Pillsbury white cake mix?

Pillsbury white cake mix boxes can have anywhere from four to five cups of batter inside.

Can I make two boxes of cake mix at once?

Yes, you can make two boxes of cake mix at once to make a larger cake. Just double the ingredients necessary!

Final Words

There are typically around four cups of cake batter in a box of cake mix, but this number can change depending on the brand. The best thing to do is buy more than you think you might need to not end up with too little batter.

Do you use boxed cake mix? How many cups of batter do you get?

About Michelle
I have been a lover of sweets since day one. This led me on a self-taught baking journey starting at the age of 13. It's been over 10 years since the start of my baking adventures, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. Now, people rave about my delectable treats, whether it’s a chocolate cake or a strawberry crepe.

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  • Amy

    My hubby brought home a 50lb bag of Pillsbury white cake mix. I needed to know how much I needed to seperate into box serving sizes. Now that I know, my food storage system is about to go into service.

    Reply
    • Michelle

      I’d probably separate it into batches of four cups of cake mix. You’ll have a bit leftover, but that’s OK. You can be creative and make something else with it 🙂

      Reply
  • Linda

    I bought a Nordicware Brilliance cake pan, which holds 5 cups. Will a single-boxed cake mix fit or be too much?

    Reply
    • Michelle Keldgord

      Hi Linda,
      It shouldn’t be too much. Let me know how your cake turns out!

      Reply
  • Cecile

    I want to use 2-8×3 cake pans and i want to know how many boxed cake mix (Betty Crocker) to use.

    Reply
    • Michelle Keldgord

      Hi Cecile,
      I would buy four to be on the safe side. If nothing else, you’ll have leftovers!

      Reply
  • Hannah

    Hi. I’m so glad I found this article. Thanks for posting the info.

    I want to make a 5 or 6 layer cake using 6-inch cake pans. Is it better to bake thin layers or to cut a thicker layer in half? And if you wouldn’t mind adding why one method is better than the other.

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Michelle

      Hi Hannah,
      Either way is fine. I like the results better from cutting a thicker cake in half, personally.

      Reply
  • Sue

    Hi I want to make a 26cm square cake I have 1 pan and want to make 2 …how many boxes do I need and how long do I bake each one for please ????

    Reply
    • Michelle

      Hi Sue,
      I would suggest purchasing three boxes. You will likely have extra, but it’s better to have too much than too little. This size will typically take around 40 minutes at 350F. However, follow the directions for the best results.

      Reply
  • Kaththee

    Thank you for this article. I am trying to figure out the number of cups in a cake mix so I can choose my bundt pan wisely. To complicate matters I don’t follow the instructions and instead use my a popular cake mix hack using a brick of cream cheese, four eggs, half a cup oil, and half cup sugar.

    Reply
    • Michelle

      Hi Kaththee,
      Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing.
      Happy baking,
      Michelle

      Reply
  • Tammie K Yeager

    Help please,
    I am making a wedding cake, but I use cake mix. I add milk and pudding mix and extra eggs. I also use spring form pans as I want taller cakes. So my question to you is, if I want 2 of each of these sizes, 10″ 8″ and 4″ how many 15.25 boxes of cake mixes do I need? Please help me. Thank you

    Reply
    • Michelle

      Hi Tammie,
      I would purchase 12 boxes.
      Happy baking,
      Michelle

      Reply
  • Denise

    My question is for those Bundlets pans – how many cake Bundlets would I get out of one Betty Crocker box?
    I’ll be experimenting.

    Reply
    • Michelle

      Hi there!
      With a single box of cake mix you can make anywhere between four and eight bundlet cakes, depending on how much they’re filled.
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Julia

        Hi Michelle, im a chef by trade and also a pattissiere. I taught cookery to trade level and also wrote a course used in australuan colleges and tafes. I have akways been a from scratch cook but as i am getti g older I woukd like to fund sone good recipes for a basic cake mix that i can adjust to different types of cakes. Do you have a basic DIY mixture that is your favourite OR do you use cake mixes. I would prefer one with oil if that is at all possible instead of butter. Also directions on how to make a box cake up. Thank you for all your hard work. If you ever need any advice in more than happy to advise or help.
        With thanks,
        Julia Newell.

        Reply