It’s almost unbelievable that these stunning desserts all came from box mixes. There is absolutely no shame in reaching for a box. We are busy people and sometimes you just need a quick cake for that last-minute dessert emergency. With a few extra ingredients and a bit of creativity, you’ll have everyone believing you spent hours in the kitchen with these gorgeous desserts. From milkshakes, cookies, bars and even a couple cakes, here are 23 desserts that will satisfy your sweet tooth with the greatest of ease.

1. Coconut Peanut Butter Magic Cake Bars: If these aren’t gooey enough for you, nothing ever will be! Yellow cake mix topped with coconut flakes, butterscotch and chocolate chips will have you singing a sweet, sweet song. (via Averie Cooks)

2. Minty Chocolate Mousse Brownies: There is nothing boxed about these brownies topped with inches of smooth mousse and a generous topping of Andes mints. (via Sweet Treats and More)

3. Mini Tea Cakewiches With Green Tea Frosting: Yes, it’s a “tea” sandwich made with jasmine and green tea and a white cake mix, these tasty bits are absolutely adorable all covered in sprinkles. Tea anyone? (via Brit + Co.)

4. Coconut Cupcakes: A simple vanilla cake mix is topped with a divine buttercream frosting made with coconut milk and lime zest for a light dessert perfect for warmer weather. (via My Baking Addiction)

5. Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars: We’ll leave it up to you to decide if these are appropriate breakfast fare. (via Cookies and Cups)

6. Pound Cake Tiramisu: For those times you’re especially pressed for time, this tiramisu just requires a pre-made pound cake. Prep time? 15 quick minutes! (via Martha Stewart)

7. Homemade Twinkies: Twinkies are amazing little logs of preservatives that no one wants to admit to eating, but now you can make your own, dare we say, “healthier” version with yellow cake mix. (via Averie Bakes)

8. White Russian Cake Pops: Get ready for a very mature pop spiked with Kahlua and then get crazy with fun sprinkles, like these edible gold stars. (via Brit + Co.)

9. Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes: By adding chocolate pudding mix and sour cream to a devil’s food cake mix, you will get a deliciously moist and rich cupcake. (via My Baking Addiction)

10. Cake Batter Milkshakes: Here’s a three ingredient recipe that will have all the boys in your yard. Use a funfetti cake mix for these creamy milkshakes, or add cake mix to your goods the next time you make ice cream for cake batter flavor! (via Cooking Classy)

11. Coconut Spice Cheesecake Bars: Half cheesecake, half carrot cake, these bars are far from monotonous and packed full of chocolate and butterscotch chips and tasty spice cake. (via Averie Cooks)

12. Almond Maraschino Cherry Cupcakes: So simple and pretty, plus a cherry a top. (via Your Cup of Cake)

13. Brownie Sundae Bars: This is a a dessert that requires no utensils. It’s just a delicious brownie layer with ice cream and a homemade chocolate magic shell. Pure genius. (via Shared Appetite)

14. Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies With Vanilla Cream Frosting: You are never too old to enjoy a pretty pink cookie with thick white frosting and pink sprinkles. (via Averie Cooks)

15. Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars: For a truly decadent moment, whip up these bars made with a yellow cake mix and lots of gooey peanut butter filling. (via The Girl Who Ate Everything)

16. Gooey Red Velvet Brownie Cake: Who knew you could bake a cake and a batch of brownies together in the same pan? Top that with a thick cream cheese frosting that has the consistency of no-bake cheesecake, and you have a dessert worth drooling over. (via Beyond Frosting)

17. Pastel Confetti Cake: One of the best things about spring is all the colors! Six layers of colored cake covered in jumbo sprinkles will make for a stunning centerpiece at your next spring jam! (via Brit + Co.)

18. Lemon Poppyseed Cake: Just by adding some poppy seeds to a lemon cake and baking it in a pretty bunt cake pan, you get a delightful twist on a citrus classic. (via Parade)

19. Chocolate Cake Batter Milkshake: Have your cake and drink it too with this frothy, creamy treat. (via Averie Cooks)

20. Take 5 Cupcakes: Chocolate, peanut butter, pretzels and caramel… you cannot go wrong with that combination. The chocolate cake mix makes for a thick enough batter to load up with candy bar pieces. (via My Baking Addiction)

21. Golden Oreo Blondies: Perfect with a cold glass of milk, these rich brownies have three layers — cookie dough, blonde Oreos and a yellow cake batter to top everything off. Oh dear. (via Life With the Crust Cut Off)

22. Creamy Mixed Berry White Chocolate Crumble Bars: The base layer is oats and cake mix, and the top is a delicious, creamy blend of coconut flakes, seasonal berries and white chocolate. (via Averie Cooks)

23. Pina Colada White Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies: Even though Cinco de Mayo is over, there is no reason you can’t keep the party going with these delicious coconut/pineapple flavored cookies. (via Averie Cooks)

How do you upgrade your boxed cake mix? Let us know in the comments below!

Kate Thorn
Kate Thorn is an illustrator, foodie, photographer, and blogger at Create & Kate. She loves creating art, traveling, and all things chocolate. A native to the Great Northwest, she is currently living in London and pretending to be a mature grad student.