I used to run around like a crazy scatterbrained mom when it came to planning and celebrating birthday parties for the kids. Trying to get way too many tasks done in one day– ordering the cake weeks in advance, decorating the house or backyard, creating the invitations, planning what games the kids will do. Now, for some reason, I look back and feel kind of silly. Silly because if I had know then what I know now in terms of how simple a birthday can be, I would have done things differently.

For starters, now  that the kids are older, I simplify the birthdays. Having a few friends over for a sleepover is enjoyed by all kids. The boys entertain themselves by playing video games, board games and watch movies. The girls by watching movies, drawing, dressing up, or doing nails. Make a few homemade pizzas, serve a veggie or fruit tray and the kids hunger is easily satisfied. And making your own birthday cake has never been easier on a mom. It cost me less to make my own birthday cake than ordering from the bakery department and can be made in a short amount of time. Which leads me to today’s post. I love how simply and good this recipe is and I hope that you will try it too!

You can have a  high quality, delicious tasting cake with the ease and convenience of a box cake mix for a fraction of the cost. And it really only take moments to do!

Homemade Yellow Cake Mix

(This is the standard size mix for recipes calling for an 18.25 ounce mix.)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup non-fat dry milk

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and non-fat dry milk. Store in an airtight container, mason jar or baggie. Keeps well in the pantry for months!

 Cake Mix Directions:

• 1 recipe Homemade Yellow Cake Mix
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 eggs

1. Place Homemade Yellow Cake Mix in a bowl. Add water, vanilla, butter, and eggs. Combine with an electric mixer then beat two more minutes. (Do not over beat  the mix.)  Pour into a greased and floured cake pan. Bake at 350-degrees, using these baking times (watch carefully as your oven may vary–test for doneness using a toothpick):

8″ or 9″ cake rounds — 20-25 minutes
13 x 9 pan — 35-40 minutes
cupcakes — 12-15 minutes
tube/bundt pan — 45-50 minutes

Don’t overbake! You’ll dry out your cake.

RECIPE NOTE: If you don’t like using dry milk in your cakes, you can always leave the dry milk out of the mix. When making the cake, replace the water in the recipe with milk.

Oh and have you ever read the label on store-bought cake mixes? They’re packed with additives, preservatives, artificial coloring, oils, corn syrup, etc. You can make up several batches of Homemade Yellow Cake Mix at a time, store in the pantry, and whip ‘em out any time for a quick, easy cake with none of that stuff!

*Still working on adapting this recipe to a little more of a healthier version. Next time, I might just cut down the amount of sugar.