How Many Cups of Cake Mix Are in a Box

Perhaps you’re trying to split up a cake mix box. Maybe you’re just curious. Whatever the reason for wanting to know how many cups of cake mix is in a box, the answer is three to six cups. It all depends on the brand and the size of the cake mix you’re buying.

Hey, there! My name is Michelle, and baking cakes is something I love doing. I like baking all kinds of cakes, from ultra-rich chocolatey treats to sugar-crumbled birthday cakes. I’m not a huge fan of boxed cake mixes, but I know they serve their purpose.

For any boxed cake lover out there (trust me, I don’t blame you – they are quick and easy), knowing the finer details like how many cups of cake mix are in a box is sometimes important. Well, I’m here to help you out with the answer.

Keep reading to find out how many cups or in that trusted cake mix box!

How Many Cups of Cake Mix Are in a Box?

There is no clear-cut answer to this question. The truth is, every boxed cake mix will have a different number of cups inside. That said, you need to pay attention to the brand you’re using and the size of the cake mix.

For example, Betty Crocker’s boxed cake mix tends to have four cups of cake mix. However, this is because it is a very thin batter and requires an extra ¼ cup of water. Therefore, it essentially needs four cups of cake mix to create a tasty baked treat.

On the other hand, a brand like Duncan Hines only has three cups of cake mix. It is a lot harder and doesn’t need extra water like the Betty Crocker version. That said, it can rely on less cake mix to create your beloved cake. Duncan Hines can have anywhere from three to six cups.

Overall, though, you can expect your boxed cake mix to have anywhere from three to six cups of cake mix. The best thing to do is to check out your box. It should tell you how many cups of cake mix are inside. 

If not, you can always discover for yourself how many cups. To do so, simply pour the contents of the box into a measuring cup. This will give you a sure answer that you can rely on. From there, you can use your knowledge to divide the ingredients into half the recipe.

Or simply share with your friends the cool new information you just discovered. Depending on your friends, this could be a hit or miss. (In which case, you might need to find new cake-loving besties).

FAQs

Do you still have some prying questions about how many cups of cake mix are in a box? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered, bakers! Let’s take a look at some questions you might have and their respective answers.

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

A 15.25-ounce box of cake mix is known as the “standard” size in the boxed cake mix world. This size typically equates to around three and a half cups of cake mix altogether.

How many cups are in a Betty Crocker cake mix?

Betty Crocker’s cake mix is a crowd-pleaser every time. I’ve even used it a few times in my day! But how many cups are tucked away inside the box? Most Betty Crocker cake mixes have around four cups of cake mix inside.

How many cups are in a box of Duncan Hines cake mix?

Again, this all depends on the size of the box you’re getting. Overall, Duncan Hines tends to have three and a half to five cups of cake mix awaiting inside the box.

How many cups are in a box of Pillsbury cake mix?

Pillsbury cake mixes are definitely a classic. Inside every box of Pillsbury cake mix, you can typically find four or five cups of cake mix. The amount can change depending on the size of the box you’re using.

Are cake mixes smaller now?

If you thought that your boxed cake mix amounts were shrinking, don’t worry, you’re not crazy. Manufacturers have been actively reducing the amount of cake mix in their boxes over the last decade. While many years ago, the amount of 18.25 oz, most companies offer 15 or 16 oz.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how many cups of cake mix are in the box is important for many reasons, but there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some mixes have three, while others have six. Check the box for the amount inside, or take it out and measure it manually for the purest answer.

Did you know how many cups of cake mix were in your favorite box of cake mix? Share your findings with us below!

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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Christina

    Exactly how was this figured??? Because last time I checked, 1 cup = 8 oz. Correct me, please, if I am wrong…

    Reply
    • Michelle

      Hi, Christina!
      Thanks for your comment! This is based on how much mix fits into measuring cups. Thanks!

      Reply
  • Linda

    I need to make a Single layer cake, an I use a regular cake mix and split the dry ingredients in half?

    Reply
    • Michelle

      Hi Linda,
      You can split the ingredients as necessary.
      Happy baking,
      Michelle

      Reply
  • MIchael

    Michelle:

    Stumbled on you website and it looks like a great resource for information for me.

    I recently made Rum Cake that I found online and it turned out fantastic. In making it I did not follow the recipe exactly so I adjusted some of the ingredients.
    The recipe called for a box of Duncan Hines Butter Golden cake mix (15.2 oz) which I did use.
    However here are the changes I made:
    1/2 cup of vegetable oil…. I used 1/2 cup sour cream
    I also added 1/2 cup of low fat butter milk.
    The Cake was great!

    I want to make another Rum Cake and I wanted to bump it up even more so I took to YouTube to see the various recopies that people made that felt were great and to pick up any ideas to enhance my next cake.
    In making this next cake I have to make some adjustments since I have some family members who have a wheat allergy. I will be making this cake tomorrow so it will ready for this Easter Sunday meal.

    I know there are a number of different “Gluten Free” cake mixes out there but the one I am using for this cake is Krusteaz Gluten Free Yellow cake mix (18 oz) which is 2.8 oz’s larger.
    You’ll Need:
    3 eggs
    1 1/2 cups milk
    1 stick melted butter

    I will be using the Krusteaz Gluten Free Mix so that my family members can eat this wheat free cake.
    However I also plan to make the following adjustments to making this cake:
    Instead of the stick of melted butter…….1/4 cup Kerry Irish butter
    I 1/4 cups milk……converts to 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup low fat butter milk, 1/4 cup water.

    In watching other videos making spiced rum cake I also plan to add 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp fresh ground cloves to help bump up the taste!

    I also am considering adding 2 tbsp orange juice and 2 tbsp orange zest.

    I also will attempt to make this same recipe from scratch using King Arthur’s Gluten Free Cake Mix at another time to see how that recipe turns out.

    While I know it will be awhile until I hear back from you hopefully and input would be appreciated.

    Any input and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

    Thank You !
    Michael

    Reply
    • Michelle

      Hi Michael,
      Your ideas sound lovely! I’m glad you’re experimenting with baking this cake, as that’s half the fun of baking!
      I like the idea of using orange juice/zest to give it some flare.
      Have you thought about using brewed coffee in place of some of the liquid?
      How about adding some nuts, like walnuts or pecans?
      Let me know what you think!
      Happy baking,
      Michelle

      Reply
  • Natalie

    Hello, can you tell me how many cups a pillsbury cake mix that would be 15.25 oz would have in it? I’m not sure with the answers above. thanks

    Reply
    • Michelle

      Hi, Natalie! This size of cake mix would have 3 1/2 cups.
      Happy baking,
      Michelle

      Reply