CAKE: Anyone ever bake just 1/2 of a box of cake mix? (frozen, cupcakes)

[Steve Bagu]

This may sound weird because I do believe that most people will empty the box and bake the whole thing while I'm a oddball and do 1/2 at a time...double my taste buds.

This afternoon opened a box of Pineapple cake mix;

Normal baking *******1/2 Baking

Total pkg cake mix......1/2 of the bag
1 cup of water...........1/2 cup of water
1/3 cup of oil.............1/2 of the 1/3 cup of oil
3 eggs......................2 eggs for a lighter cake

Mix batter as per original instructions in both cases
I use a pyrex dish with wax paper on the bottom
Add sprinkle of shredded coconut
Add crushed or sliced pineapple on top of coconut (no chunks)
Add mixed batter to baking dish
Place in (I use a small broiler oven) oven
Bake to time and temp shown

It will come out large as a upside down pineapple cake
You can add extra pineapple on top after completion of baking (empty the can)

Gosh...hope I did not bore anyone with my odd creativity... Steve

[gentlearts]

Well OK, Steve. I've heard of weirder things, but why would you want to dirty the bowl, beaters, and pan, etc, twice? Why not just make the whole cake and stick 1/2 of it in the freezer?

[7G9C4J2]

Actually, that makes a lot of sense to me. I've never really liked the way cake comes out after having been frozen. But it never occurred to me to actually split a mix and make two smaller cakes.

Steve, how long after opening the package do you bake the other half of a mix? And do you store it in the fridge or freezer after you've opened it, or just keep it in a zip-lock bag in your pantry?

[Steve Bagu]

Thanx for askin...fold the original pkg back inside the original box and place in the fridge. It had been sitting there about two months or longer...can't recall exactly. The expire date on top of the box was 2010 so fairly fresh to begin with.

Am by myself so 1/2 baked cake is just fine and fresh too boot. Don't eat cake that much so would hate to put 1/2 into the freezer and have it sit. Had a small piece after dinner with a little whipped cream on top of the pineapple/coconut.

In reality large pkgs of cake mix are for larger families and the like. For 1-3 people a 1/2 would be just about right I'm thinkin...just a thought. Mfg's want to sell large pkg's if possible...volume sales in mind.

Steve

[ylisa7]

I split cake mixes in half all the time. I have limited freezer space so I can't freeze like gentlearts suggested.

Now if they would just make 1/2 frosting containers.

[HawaiiLover]

This sounds like a great idea since we are emptynesters. Great tip!

What size baking pan do you use for layer cakes? I wouldn't think two 9" pans wouldn't work, but one, 9" square pan would. Then you could slice through it and make double layers.

[Steve Bagu]

I use a 9" pyrex dish and when the box calls for two eggs...I still use two for a 1/2 cake...lighter cake.

As to the frosting...I use the 12 oz Global or Pampa brand...easy to spread. Pkg says to store in fridge up to two weeks after opening. Have had mine in for two months...no problems. Shelf exp date is Mar 01 2010 so go figure.

Anyway thanx to you all for a followup.

Steve

[Woof Woof Woof!]

Just cook the whole thing and freeze half for later. Cakes freeze well.

[mommytotwo]

I would never freeze half of a box cake.

I just don't have the space and a box mix only costs a buck.

I need my freezer to store meat that will save me a few bucks a pound, not cake.

This half box mix sounds like a good idea.

It would prevent someone like me from eating too much cake.

I suppose I could use half the box and still make cupcakes? That would be great for the kids......

[jtur88]

In my bacchelor apartments, back in the days when fridges had alumimum ice-cube trays, I used to make half-box cakes and bake them in greased ice-cube trays. Then eat the whole thing before it even gets down to room temperature.