There’s something incredibly comforting about having a cake mix on hand — not the boxed stuff full of preservatives, but a real homemade mix made with simple pantry staples. The kind your grandmother might have kept tucked away for unexpected company or those moments when a celebration pops up out of nowhere.

This whole-food vanilla cake mix comes together in minutes, stores beautifully, and bakes into a soft, tender cake with a golden crumb. It’s perfect for birthdays, holiday gatherings, or those cozy afternoons when you just want something sweet without fuss.

And the best part? You can prep several jars at once and gift them — because who doesn’t love cake?

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🍰 Homemade Vanilla Cake Mix

Simple • Shelf-Stable • Just Add the Wet Ingredients

Dry Mix Ingredients

(Enough for one 8×8 cake or 12 cupcakes)

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat pastry flour for a richer flavor)
• 1 cup coconut sugar (or organic cane sugar if you prefer a lighter color)
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• 1 tbsp vanilla powder (optional but amazing for flavor)

Optional add-ins:

• ¼ cup sprinkles (for a “funfetti” version)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup chocolate chips

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🫙 Instructions (to make the jar)

1. Whisk ingredients.
   Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and optional vanilla powder in a bowl.
2. Transfer to a jar.
   Pour the mix into a quart mason jar, tapping lightly to settle.
3. Attach the baking directions.
   Tie a simple tag with twine and you have the sweetest homemade gift.

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🎂 Tag This Onto the Jar:

To make the cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8 pan.
2. In a bowl, whisk together:
   • 2 eggs
   • ½ cup milk
   • ⅓ cup melted butter or coconut oil
   • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
3. Add entire cake mix and stir until just combined.
4. Pour into the pan and bake 22–28 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Cool before frosting… or don’t. It’s your kitchen.

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🎁 Simple Gifting Ideas

• Pair the mix with a small bottle of pure vanilla extract.
• Add a cute spatula tied with ribbon.
• Gift it with a handwritten “Happy Birthday Anytime” tag.
• Include your favorite frosting recipe on the back of the jar card.

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🍰 Why This Cake Mix Works

Most boxed mixes include stabilizers, gums, artificial colors, and preservatives to extend shelf life. This version uses:

• Real flour
• Real sugar
• Simple leavening
• Optional whole-food flavor boosters

Nothing else. Just what your great-grandparents would recognize as real food.