May your New Year be as sweet as this cake!

All the flavor, none of the fuss.

A soft, rich, deeply chocolatey cake that comes together in minutes? Yes, please. This whole-food Chocolate Cake Mix is one of those pantry staples that saves birthdays, rescues last-minute gatherings, and turns any ordinary winter day into something a little sweeter.

Welcome to Day 13 of our 25 Days of Simple Christmas countdown! Today we’re building a clean, homemade Chocolate Cake Mix—perfect for gifting, storing, or baking whenever the craving strikes. No preservatives, no boxed mystery ingredients… just real, simple goodness.

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A Loving Family Memory

Growing up, chocolate cake was my mom’s specialty. She didn’t bake often, but when she did, it was for a reason: birthdays, first days of school, new jobs, or the occasional “We made it through the week” celebration.

One year, right before Christmas, she surprised us with a chocolate cake on a random Tuesday night. The house was quiet, snow falling outside, the tree glowing in the corner. She cut warm slices and handed them out with glasses of cold milk. We ate in silence, not because we weren’t talking, but because the cake was that good.

It tasted like comfort… like safety… like home.

Now, whenever I whip up this simple mix, I think of that small moment—a reminder that sweet memories often come from the simplest things.

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Why Chocolate Cake Mix Belongs in Your Pantry

1. Whole-food ingredients you can trust

No artificial colors, no preservatives—just real, clean pantry staples.

2. Saves time for celebrations (big or small)

Whether it’s a birthday or a “just because” moment, you can make a cake in minutes.

3. A perfect homemade gift

Pour it into a jar with a ribbon and include simple instructions—instant holiday joy.

4. Kid-approved (and adult-approved)

Everyone loves chocolate cake. Enough said.

5. Helps keep the holidays simple

One mix, endless desserts. Less stress, more sweetness.

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Chocolate Cake Mix (Whole-Food Version)

Dry Mix Ingredients (for storing):

• 2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour (or all-purpose for a lighter texture)
• 1 cup coconut sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar for up to 3 months.

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To Bake the Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Combine:
   • 1 jar of Chocolate Cake Mix
   • 1 cup milk (or almond milk)
   • 1/3 cup melted coconut oil or butter
   • 2 eggs (or flax eggs for dairy-free/vegan)
   • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3. Whisk until smooth.
4. Pour into a greased 8×8 or 9×9 pan.
5. Bake 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool completely before frosting—or serve warm with berries.

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Ways We Love to Use This Mix

Classic chocolate cake

Top with Day 4 Vanilla Bean Buttercream for a dreamy holiday dessert.

Cupcakes for gatherings

Perfect for school parties, neighbors, or work celebrations.

Chocolate snack cake

Dust with powdered coconut sugar for an effortless treat.

Jar gifts for friends

Tie with a ribbon, add a tag, and voilà—thoughtful, heartfelt gifting.

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Every time I bake this cake, I’m reminded that celebration doesn’t have to be grand or elaborate—sometimes it’s just a warm slice of chocolate cake shared with the people you love most.

Day 13 is complete! Tomorrow, we move to Day 14 — Stuffing Mix: the holidays in a jar.