Product Description

When you're pressed for time, what's the easiest way to prepare a moist, delicious cake for dessert? A cake mix, of course! Just follow the instruction on the package, pop the cake in the oven and it's ready in no time. With that kind of convenience, it's no wonder that North Americans buy over 400 million cake mixes a year.

But let's say that with just a few more ingredients and a little more preparation time, you could turn a good cake into something even better. That's where Cake Mix Magic can help.

Here you'll find over 125 fast and easy recipes, each starting with a basic cake mix and turning it into a scrumptious dessert. In minutes you'll be baking up a delicious Cinnamon Brunch Cake or Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake. Need to prepare something special for a birthday party or family gathering? You'll be amazed at the "made from scratch" flavor of Chocolate Raspberry Torte or Chocolate Toffee Crunch Cheesecake.

With Cake Mix Magic, the sorcery extends far beyond cakes. You can make a wide variety of other baked treats, including Cranberry Pecan Buns, Butterscotch Nut Bars, Chewy Cherry Bars, Gingerbread People, Peach Cobbler and Black Forest Trifle. Who'd believe cake mixes could be so versatile?

Simple recipes, basic ingredients and no experience required -- all the elements necessary for dependable and outstanding results. Whether you are an experienced baker or a novice, this book will give you great recipes that work every time.

DUNCAN HINES®
Since 1951, the Duncan Hines® brand has been identified premium-quality food products, particularly its "good as homemade" baking mixes, and is today one of the most recognized trademarks in the world. The Duncan Hines® commitment to quality -- to making a great cake even better -- is an essential feature of Cake Mix Magic.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #60404 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04-07
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .56" h x 7.00" w x 10.14" l, 1.01 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Review
I've been experimenting with cake mix-based desserts, with excellent results. I recommend these books. (Anne-Marie Seltzer Arlington Advocate )

About the Author

Jill Snider has 30 years of baking experience including almost 25 years as the Kitchen Manager for a major North American flour maker.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Sample recipe from the Single-Layer Cakes chapter:

Chocolate Cherry Cake

Serves 12 to 16

It's hard to believe the pie filling replaces the usual fat and liquid ingredients in a cake mix. But it works -- very well too! With the mix and pie filling on hand it's an easy last-minute cake to prepare.

TIP
The glaze will seem thin at first but firms up on cooling

VARIATION You either love or hate the almond extract. If you love it you can reinforce the almond flavor in the glaze by adding 3/4 tsp (4 ml) to the cake.

Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C)
13- by 9 inch (3.5 L) cake pan, greased

CAKE
1 pkg (18.25 oz [515 g]) devil's food cake mix
1 can (19 oz {540 mL]) cherry pie filling
2 eggs

CHOCOLATE GLAZE
3/4 cup (175 mL) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (50 mL) butter
1/4 cup (50 mL) light (10%) cream
3/4 cup (175 mL) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 tsp (1 mL) almond extract
Sliced almonds, toasted (optional)

1. Cake: In a large mixer bowl, combine cake mix, pie filling and eggs. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 30 minutes in pan on a wire rack before glazing.
    
   
2. Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine sugar, butter and cream. Cook, stirring constantly over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil, then boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add chocolate chips and extract, stirring until smoothly melted. Spread over warm cake. Cool completely before cutting.