Doctoring It Up

(Sawyer's cupcake)

A few years ago, a friend of mine introduced me to Cherry Chip cake mix. I had never heard of it. I was living in Ohio at the time and was able to find it, of all places, at the Super Wal-Mart. Since coming back to Maryland (almost six years ago), I have not been able to find it. Until a few weeks ago ...

I was in our local grocery store that has over-priced, out-dated food. I only go there when I don't feel like running into "town" (which is about 15-20 minutes away) and I'm desperate for something. Well, a few weeks ago, I must have been desperate for something because I spied Cherry Chip cake mix. While it was completely over-priced, I picked up a box and was delighted. (I know, I sound like I have a really pathetic life.) I thought, "if I show an interest in this over-priced cake mix, maybe they will keep it in stock.

Imagine my surprise when it went on sale one week later for $1 a box. I scooped up five, I think. And then, just last week again, they were on sale for 98 cents a box. I bought the rest. Which were seven boxes, but two were for my friend, Kim.

So you're probably wondering where I'm going with this. When I was first introduced to this yummy cake mix, my friend made it with mini-chocolate chips and chocolate frosting. Oh. My. Goodness. Chocolate-covered cherry cake. It is so yummy. I never would have thought about mixing the flavors on my own. (I'm not very creative like that.) It just makes me wonder, what other possibilities are there for doctoring up cake mixes?

Do you have an old standby that you'd like to share? I've heard you can add extracts to cake mixes, too, which I've never done.

Comments

Beth said…
I have the Cake Doctor cookbook (the chocolate version), and there are all kinds of fun ideas in there!
Katie Jean said…
thanks, no I feel an incessant need to make cupcakes!!

could you just send a few down here??
Freckled Hen said…
Cherry Chip is my favorite cake mix! No one has ever heard of it, it is so delicious with its almondy flavor and pretty little cherry chips. You did the right thing in buying them all. Ration them throughout the year, and make sure not a crumb is wasted!
nikko said…
Mmm... Chocolate covered cherries!

I had to laugh out loud at the "I know, I sound like I have a really pathetic life."

I feel the same way when I go on and on and on about deals at the grocery store and my sweet hubby's eyes start glazing over...

Or when some one calls and I make tons of small talk just because it's nice sometimes throughout the day to have adult conversation...
julie said…
No matter the flavor of your cake mix, throw a can of cherry pie filling on in there--yum.
Anonymous said…
I like the Butter Pecan Cake with a Mocha icing. Just add some strong coffee (you can make it with instant) to the white icing. So yummy!
Amanda Jean said…
I have a creme de mint cake recipe. if that trips your trigger, let me know and I'll email you the recipe.
Unknown said…
Oh, we love cherry-chip. My favorite doctoring to do with cake mix is whippersnapper cookies.

One box cake mix(18.25 oz size)
One large egg, beaten
2 cups Cool-Whip
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Combine cake mix, beaten egg and Cool-Whip in a large bowl. Roll into walnut-sized balls, roll in powdered sugar and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes on a greased or lined cookie sheet.

So yummy and a little chewy...chocolate is nice too but lemon is my favorite :)
Laura said…
I use the Cake Mix Doctor cookbook as well -- I like substituting a melted pint of premium ice cream for the water and oil. Cherry Garcia in a vanilla cake mix is awesome!
lisa said…
My favorite cake of all time is a Black Forest type cake that my Aunt makes. I knew it had to be my wedding cake. I can’t remember the whole recipe, but the cake part is actually a boxed cake mix, but like your cherry chip, it’s not one of the more common ones. I want to say that it is Duncan Hines Swiss Chocolate. Anyway, we needed like 8 or 9 boxes for the wedding cake. My brother talked to the local grocery store and although they didn’t carry it originally, they ordered it in and then started carrying in all the time.
Sujomi said…
Cherry Chip was my birthday cake growing up...still love it, though now I'm on to Lemon Meringue pie.
Anonymous said…
how funny -i was at a grocery store today that had a surprisingly small cake mix section - but they had cherry chip! i'm just not into cherries, real or fake.
LunaMoonbeam said…
One thing I REALLY want to do (but haven't had the occasion yet) is to try Bakerella's Cake Pops (you can google it if you've never heard of her - she's really popular now.) I've also made a sort of Cobbler with cake mix - just pile a bunch of fruit on top of a prepared cake mix, and bake! It's delicious.
FinnyKnits said…
That DOES sound good. Bubba would love this - he's a big fan of cherry anything. Pie, cake, etc. I'll have to keep an eye out for this.

Tell me you've seen the Cake Doctor cookbooks - I have a feeling you'd love them. It's all about taking a regular cake mix and making it fancy in a simple way. Like adding orange juice to a white cake mix and ending up with this fabulous Fresh Orange Cake.

And so on - anyway, it's a fun cookbook. We use it often!
Anonymous said…
Would you believe I have a bubble bath which smells like cherry bakewells?

Sometimes I just play based on what ingredients I have in the house. I did a chocolate with mixed spice in which tasted like a Maya Gold chocolate bar.

Lately though I've ben making a few cookies/munchies. the recipes are on my blog in case you want to have a go.
Karyn said…
How did I miss this post????

Were you late posting????

Yes, cherry chip cake mix is a truly wonderful thing. Now I want some. Thanks.
Anonymous said…
I haven't seen a Cherry Chip cake mix in forever! I always requested this for my birthday, with pink icing. I also really liked the cherry chip donuts from Dunkin Donuts. I am going to look for a box of this, although I don't think I've ever seen one in my Publix. Two really great things to make with cake mixes that aren't exactly back of the box are Chocolate Chip Caramel Brownies and Lemon Fluff. So yummy!

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