How to Make a Box Cake Taste Like Bakery

Ingredients

• 1 box cake mix (15.25 oz / 430 g) - yellow or white flavor preferred
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 mL) whole milk, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for depth of flavor)
• 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar (for frosting)
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) heavy cream or whole milk (for frosting)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
• Pinch of salt (for frosting)