Melted Ice Cream Takes Basic Boxed Cake To The Next Level
Whether you're looking to celebrate a birthday, wedding, retirement, or simply craving a sweet treat, cake stands as a universally beloved dessert. Its versatility shines in various forms. A large sheet cake is a great way to commemorate special events with a crowd while a slice paired with coffee makes an ideal after-dinner treat for smaller gatherings. Of course, not everyone has the time or resources for a professionally made cake. That's where boxed cake mix becomes invaluable. It has long been a convenient go-to for busy home cooks seeking a quick, reliable dessert. There are many ways to elevate a homemade cake and the inclusion of melted ice cream allows you to easily take this classic baked good to a whole new level.
Adding melted ice cream to the mix introduces a creamy richness and diverse flavors, transforming an ordinary cake into a moist, indulgent treat. This unconventional ingredient acts as a substitute for the usual wet ingredients in boxed cake mixes, such as water and oil. The sugars, fats, and flavorings in ice cream enhance the cake's texture and taste, offering a unique twist that will undoubtedly leave your guests returning for seconds.
How to make cake with melted ice cream
Incorporating melted ice cream into your boxed cake mix is guaranteed to make it more moist. In fact, it's scientifically proven. In a 2022 study published in the online journal "Food Research", it was found that a box of cake mix, two cups of melted ice cream, and three eggs create a cake with a moisture content of around 39%. Cake mix made the traditional way only has a moisture content of about 35%. If you prefer your cake a bit dryer, you can reduce the moisture content by only using two eggs. Doing so will give you a more standard texture without sacrificing the flavor benefits of using melted ice cream.
All you have to do to make a cake with melted ice cream is combine three eggs, two cups of room-temperature ice cream, and a package of boxed cake mix. Pour the batter into the cake pan of your choice (you can also use this recipe to make cupcakes) and pop it into a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven. Follow the box mix's instructions for how long to bake the cake before digging in. Note, however, that using a sugar-free, gluten-free, or lactose-free cake mix or ice cream could affect the cake's final texture.
The benefits of using melted ice cream
Combining different flavors of ice cream and cake mix will give you full control over the taste of your final product. A spice cake with vanilla ice cream makes for a perfect autumnal treat while red velvet cake and cheesecake ice cream is an absolutely iconic duo. Add coffee ice cream to chocolate cake mix for an indulgent dessert or try strawberry ice cream blended into yellow cake mix for a simple delight. The possibilities of ice cream and cake mix combos are practically endless so feel free to experiment until you find your favorite pairing.
You can also try using ice cream that has crunchy inclusions like cookie bits or chocolate and caramel swirls. Mixing in ice cream with nuts would be an especially tasty way of adding a crunchy texture to your cake. You could try baking an apple cake mix with praline pecan ice cream for a flavorful and yummy treat. The possibilities of ice cream and cake mix combos are practically endless. Remember, life is short, so have dessert first; namely, try sweet and flavorful boxed cake made perfectly moist by the inclusion of creamy, delicious ice cream.