You may be wondering what is an ugly cake? Well, the answer is that it’s a deliciously buttery and crumbly yellow boxed mix cake with a few alterations and the addition of a creamy cream cheese layer.
It’s called “ugly cake” because it’s not as “beautiful” as most other cakes, but don’t let this deter you from trying it!
This ugly cake recipe is kind of like butter cake but with an easy boxed cake mix ingredient and a cream cheese layer that’s to die for.
When the cream cheese layer bakes it bubbles up and adds to the seemingly unattractive appearance. That’s because the color isn’t exactly beautiful and the bumps are… well, bumpy! But let’s focus on what’s important — the FLAVOR!
It’s sweet, buttery, crumbly, moist, soft, and scrumptious. If you follow the Weight Watchers program, save this for a special occasion as it’s 18 WW points.
Why You Should Try This Ugly Cake Recipe
- Zero baking skills are needed to make it because the ingredients are so simple.
- Speaking of ingredients, you probably already have them in your pantry!
- It’s delicious, moist, sweet, and buttery.
- Perfect for a quick dessert any day of the week for any occasion.
- Great conversation starter at a party or dinner table.
- It travels well so you can bring it to a potluck or BBQ.
Ugly Cake Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 16 people
Ingredients
Cake
- 15.25 oz box yellow cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 8 oz butter, melted
- 1 cup milk
Cream Cheese Layer
- 12 oz. cream cheese
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
How to Make Ugly Cake (Step-by-Step)
- Mix the yellow cake mix with 3 eggs, 8oz butter, and 1 cup milk in a large mixing bowl
- Whisk vigorously until thoroughly combined and smooth
- Line a 9×9 square cake pan with parchment paper
- Pour the cake batter into the pan and set it in the refrigerator while preparing the cream cheese layer
- Combine room temperature cream cheese, 1 egg, ¼ cup milk, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla in your stand mixer
- Mix until smooth and a little fluffy
- Pour the cream cheese layer on top of the cake layer
- Preheat oven to 350° F
- Bake for 30 minutes
- Rest the ugly cake recipe for 10 minutes or more to serve warm
- Chill for an hour in the refrigerator to serve cold
What Brand Of Yellow Cake Mix Should You Use?
There are many brands of yellow box cake mix you can use for this recipe. Here are some popular ones that are widely available
- Betty Crocker is a well-known brand of baking mixes that produces consistent good results. Their yellow cake mix is made with real vanilla and has a light, fluffy texture.
- Duncan Hines cake mixes are known for being moist and tender. Their classic yellow cake mix has a buttery flavor and a fine, tender crumb.
- Pillsbury is known for producing high-quality baking mixes, and their yellow cake mix is no exception.
- King Arthur Flour is a popular brand among home bakers, and their yellow cake mix is made with high-quality ingredients like pure vanilla extract and unbleached flour.
Storage Tips
When preparing to store your ugly cake recipe it’s good to know that if you’re planning on finishing it within a day or two, you can store it at room temperature in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Make sure the cake is completely cool before wrapping it to prevent condensation from forming.
If you need to store the cake for longer than two days, or if your kitchen is extra warm, it’s best to store the cake in the refrigerator.
Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. Note that refrigeration can dry out the cake, so consider adding a damp paper towel or a slice of bread to the container to help keep the cake moist.
To freeze your ugly cake recipe, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and then place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you’re ready to serve the cake, let it thaw at room temperature before unwrapping it.
Ugly Cake
Equipment
- 1 stand mixer
Ingredients
Cake
- 15.25 oz box yellow cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 8 oz butter, melted
- 1 cup milk
Cream Cheese Layer
- 12 oz cream cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Mix the yellow cake mix with 3 eggs, 8oz butter, and 1 cup milk in a large mixing bowl
- Whisk vigorously until thoroughly combined and smoothÂ
- Line a 9×9 square cake pan with parchment paper
- Pour the cake batter into the pan and set it in the refrigerator while preparing the cream cheese layer
- Combine room temperature cream cheese, 1 egg, ¼ cup milk, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla in your stand mixer
- Mix until smooth and a little fluffy
- Pour the cream cheese layer on top of the cake layer
- Preheat oven to 350° F
- Bake for 30 minutes
- Rest the ugly cake recipe for 10 minutes or more to serve warm
- Chill for an hour in the refrigerator to serve cold
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I am at a loss as to how you could consider this appropriate for a “skinny” recipe. Over 300 cal, 20 gr of sugar, 13 gr of sat fat and 30 gr of carbs puts this completely out of the question for me.
Really surprised to see this posted. 18 points per serving? Is that correct?