The Fake-It Cake

For a last minute dessert that's sure to impress, try putting a spin on an old classic: cake mix! Start with a basic cake mix flavor and add in special flavors, such as the ones I've shown below, or try some combinations of your own. 

Chocolate Orange Cake

Start with chocolate or Devil's Food cake mix, and replace the water called for on the box with orange juice. Add the zest of one orange. Bake as directed. Frost with orange buttercream or vanilla frosting with orange zest, and embellish with candied orange rind.

Lemon-Raspberry cake

Start with lemon or vanilla cake mix, and replace the water called for on the box with fresh lemon juice. Add the zest of one lemon. Bake as directed. Spread raspberry preserves between the layers (or drop half a tablespoon into the batter of each cupcake). Frost with whipped cream frosting. Decorate with fresh raspberries.

Creme de Menthe Chocolate Cake

Start with Devil's food or chocolate cake mix, and replace the water called for on the box with Creme de Menthe liquor or Peppermint Schnapps (or use the water and 1 and a half tablespoons of mint extract). Bake as directed. Frost with chocolate icing and decorate with fresh mint sprigs or Andes mints.

Strawberry-Cream Layer Cake

Start with vanilla or French vanilla cake mix. Prepare as directed. Pour some of the batter into a blender, and blend in about 2 cups of fresh strawberries (the batter helps them blend). Mix the blended strawberries into the rest of the batter. Bake as directed. Spread buttercream and thick slices of fresh strawberries between the layers. Frost with whipped cream icing and decorate with fresh strawberries.

No one will ever know that you were faking it. Not like that spray tan of yours.

Easiest Buttercream Frosting
(no one said it was going to be good for you)
1 pound box (about 3-3/4 cups) powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 - 4 tablespoons milk
Feel free to add citrus zest, cocoa powder, mashed berries, or anything else that you think will taste good in it.