Welcome to Practically Homemade! Here you’ll find simple, reliable recipes that turn a box mix into something truly special—cookies, bars, and cakes your family will ask for again and again.
Whether you’re baking for a weeknight treat, a holiday gathering, or just because…you’re in the right place.
Start Here (My Reader Favorites)
If you’re new, these are the recipes I recommend starting with. They’re tried, tested, and loved for a reason. These are the recipes readers come back to again and again—and once you try one, you’ll see why.
Cake Mix Cookies (My Specialty)
If there’s one thing I’m known for, it’s cake mix cookies.
They’re soft, bakery-style, incredibly easy to make, and full of flavor—without a long list of ingredients.
Cakes made With Cake Mix
From Bundt cakes to sheet cakes, these recipes take a simple mix and turn it into something that feels completely homemade.
Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or anytime you want something a little extra special.
Browse by Cake Mix Flavor
If you already have a box of cake mix in your pantry, start here:
Why I Use Cake Mix
Cake mix isn’t a shortcut — it’s a tool.
And it’s one I still reach for, even after more than 30 years in the kitchen as a former bakery owner, culinary teacher, recipe developer, and mom.
I’ve baked from scratch. I know how flour, fat, sugar, and leavening work together. And that’s exactly why I trust cake mix. A good box mix gives you a consistent base, which means you can focus on what actually makes a dessert special — flavor, texture, and thoughtful add-ins — without unnecessary guesswork.
Over the years, I’ve tested hundreds of cake mix recipes, tweaking ratios, swapping flavors, fixing common mistakes, and finding the small changes that make a big difference. My goal is simple: to help you bake with confidence and get bakery-worthy results that fit into real life.
Cake mix isn’t about cutting corners.
It’s about using a smart starting point — and knowing how to make it better.
Want my BEST Cake Mix Recipes First?
I share new cake mix recipes, baking tips, and reader favorites straight to my inbox.
If you want dependable desserts and practical shortcuts that actually work, I’d love to have you join me.
How I Elevate Cake Mix
Every recipe on this site starts with a box of cake mix — and then I take it a step further.
I elevate cake mix by:
- choosing the right add-ins to improve flavor and texture
- adjusting fats and liquids so baked goods stay soft and tender
- layering flavors so desserts taste balanced, not boxed
- finishing with simple toppings, glazes, or garnishes that make each bake feel special
These aren’t complicated techniques. They’re small, intentional changes that turn a familiar box mix into something you’d proudly serve — or share.
You’ll see these techniques in every recipe I share — from soft, bakery-style cookies to bundt cakes, bars, and everyday desserts that start with a box and finish with confidence.
A Little About Me
Baking has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve owned a bakery, taught in the kitchen, developed recipes professionally, and baked for my family through every season of life.
Cake mix has always had a place in my kitchen — not because it’s easy, but because it works. And I love helping other home bakers feel confident using it, too.
If You Love Cake Mix Cookies (and let’s be honest — who doesn’t?)
If cookies are your favorite way to bake, my Cake Mix Cookie Cookbook is the best place to start.
It’s filled with my most-loved cookie recipes — all starting with a box of cake mix and designed to be simple, freezer-friendly, and dependable.
FROM GATHERED BY JUNE
While recipes are at the heart of Practically Homemade, they have never been the whole story. Gathered is where I share reflections on food, family, traditions, hospitality, and the meaningful moments that happen around the table.
Gathered by June
The Beauty of a Wide-Open Summer
Gathered by June
Five Years of Betting on Myself
Gathered by June
Why I Love a Good Dinner Party
Gathered by June
There Was Always Room at the Table
Thanks for being here. Whether you bake from scratch, from a box, or somewhere in between — you’re always welcome in my kitchen.
Let’s bake something easy and delicious.
Sweet Wishes
♥️ June
