Want to bake a pink cake but only have yellow cake mix on hand? Don’t run to the store! There are a few easy ways to turn yellow cake mix pink right in your own kitchen. Keep reading to learn three simple methods for transforming boring yellow cake into fun, vibrant pink cake with ingredients you likely already have at home.
What You’ll Need
No matter which method you choose, you’ll need just a few basic ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (enough for one 9×13 cake)
- Water, oil, and eggs to prepare cake mix as directed on box
- Pink food coloring
- Extracts, juice, or other pink coloring agents (see methods below)
Make sure to preheat your oven and grease or line your cake pans as directed on the cake mix box as well.
Method 1: Liquid Food Coloring
The easiest and most foolproof way to turn yellow cake pink is by using liquid food coloring.
What you’ll need:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- Ingredients to prepare mix
- Pink liquid food coloring
Instructions:
- Prepare cake mix as directed on package, adding eggs, oil, and water to dry mix.
- Add 20-30 drops pink food coloring and mix until batter is uniform pink color.
- Bake cake as directed on package.
Tips for using liquid food coloring:
- Start with 20 drops food coloring and add more, a few drops at a time, until you reach the desired shade.
- Gel food coloring will produce a more vivid, intense pink.
- Use a toothpick to swirl food coloring into batter for a tie-dye effect.
Method 2: Berry Juice
For a naturally pink cake, ditch the food coloring and use berry juice instead.
What you’ll need:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- Ingredients to prepare mix
- 1/4 cup strawberry, raspberry, or cranberry juice
Instructions:
- Prepare cake mix as directed, reducing the amount of water by 1/4 cup.
- Replace the 1/4 cup of water with an equal amount of berry juice.
- Mix until uniform color and bake as directed.
Tips for using berry juice:
- Use 100% juice for best color payoff.
- Add extra juice for a deeper pink tone.
- Try other pink fruit juices like pomegranate or pink grapefruit.
Method 3: Extracts and Spices
For a more exotic pink cake, use extracts and spices to naturally transform yellow cake mix.
What you’ll need:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- Ingredients to prepare mix
- 1 tsp rose water or almond extract
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes or paprika (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare cake mix as directed.
- Add 1 tsp rose water or almond extract and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes or paprika if desired.
- Mix until uniform pink color and bake as directed.
Tips for using extracts and spices:
- Add more extract for a more intense flavor and color.
- Crush red pepper flakes before adding for better color distribution.
- Other options: Strawberry extract, raspberry liqueur, cinnamon, beet powder.
How Much Food Coloring for a Box Cake?
Here’s a quick guide on how much pink food coloring you’ll generally need to use to tint a boxed yellow cake mix:
| Cake Size | Food Coloring Amount |
|---|---|
| 9×9-inch | 15-20 drops |
| 9×13-inch | 20-30 drops |
| 12 cupcakes | 20-25 drops |
| 24 cupcakes | 30-40 drops |
Add more food coloring, a few drops at a time, until you reach your desired pink shade.
Tips for Perfectly Pink Cake
Follow these tips for making pink cake that’s perfectly pink from crust to crumb:
- Check food coloring expiration date – Old food coloring won’t tint as well.
- Use liquid, not gel – Liquid food coloring incorporates better.
- Add coloring to wet ingredients first – This helps it mix in evenly.
- Scrape bowl well – Make sure color is distributed throughout batter.
- Bake at proper temperature – Too hot may make outside brown before inside is done.
- Test doneness with toothpick – Prevents overbaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes cake mix turn pink?
Cake mix can be turned pink by adding pink food coloring, fruit juices, extracts, spices, or other pink coloring agents to the batter.
Does pink cake taste different than yellow?
Aside from looking prettier, pink cake made from doctored yellow cake mix shouldn’t taste any different than regular yellow cake. Extracts and fruit juices may impart a very subtle flavor.
Is pink cake mix bad for you?
Pink cake made from boxed cake mix is no better or worse for you than plain yellow cake. While food colorings have come under scrutiny, modern dyes are considered safe when used in moderation.
What makes rainbow cake so colorful?
Rainbow cake gets its colorful stripes from dividing white or yellow cake batter and tinting each layer a different color before baking and stacking the layers.
What gives red velvet cake its color?
Traditionally, red velvet cake got its reddish-brown hue from a chemical reaction between cocoa powder and buttermilk/vinegar. Most modern recipes use red food coloring.
Creative Ways to Use Pink Cake
Once you’ve whipped up a batch of pretty in pink cake, here are some fun ways to serve it up:
- Pink ombré cake – Tint layers progressively darker shades of pink
- Flower power cake – Decorate with pink buttercream flowers
- Blush and bashful cake – Soft pink base with darker pink accents
- Pink velvet cake – Replace cocoa powder with pink coloring
- Strawberries and cream cake – Fill and top with strawberries and whipped cream
- Pink champagne cake – Brush layers with champagne syrup
Conclusion
With a little pink food coloring and creativity, you can transform a plain yellow cake into a stunning pink dessert perfect for birthdays, weddings, baby showers and any celebration. Next time you’re baking up a cake, try one of these easy techniques for colorful, crowd-pleasing pink cakes that are sure to brighten any occasion.