Instant Pot Cake made with a BOX MIX is super moist and flavorful and much less porous than its oven-baked counterpart. Use any box cake variety of your choice! Nobody has to know this delicious cake was not made completely from scratch.
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Does the Instant Pot ever stop blowing your mind?! Seriously, you guys, who knew that a CAKE could turn out sooo deliciously when made inside of the confines of the magical little Instant Pot?
When I took my first bite of my first Instant Pot Cake (and I’ve made many in the past few weeks!), I literally could not believe what I was tasting. The cake was super moist and flavorful beyond anything I could explain in words.
After that first batch, I decided to do some cake testing. I made a cake using the same exact ingredients and measurements and in the same exact pan, except baked in the oven.
There was a notable difference! The oven-baked cake was much more porous, less moist and overall just not as tasty. I absolutely LOVE this method of making cake in the Instant Pot. I’m telling you, there is some serious magic that goes on inside that thing.
WATCH THIS QUICK VIDEO TO SEE HOW EASY IT IS TO MAKE CAKE IN THE INSTANT POT!
RECIPE NOTES
Keep these things in mind when making cake in an Instant Pot for the best possible outcome!
- Normal 8- or 9-inch round cake pans do not fit inside an Instant Pot, so you will need to get either a 6-inch round cake pan or a 7-inch round cake pan if you don’t already have one. This smaller cake turns out so cute and perfect. I made two separate layer cakes for my son’s birthday this year and people RAVED about how they looked and of course also how good they tasted.
- I love the trivet that comes with the Instant Pot because it allows me to easily lower awkward or large things down into the pot. Use your trivet to lower the batter-filled, foil-covered cake pan before cooking! There’s no need to create a “foil sling” because the trivet gets the job done!
- I believe that the CAKE button on the Instant Pot has some extra magic built into it. If your IP has this button, use it! If not, use the PRESSURE COOK button for the same amount of time.
- I tested this cake with “extras” in the batter (chocolate chips or M&M’s, for example) AND without and the cakes turned out great both ways. Do not exceed more than 1 cup of extras.
- There is no need to make a from-scratch cake recipe in the Instant Pot! Using a box mix makes it so easy and you will be blown away by how good it tastes. Make sure you have all of the ingredients listed on the box before starting!
BEST FROSTINGS TO USE FOR CAKE
Here is a list of my favorite types of frosting to slather all over cakes!
- Vanilla Buttercream
- Chocolate Buttercream
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- Chocolate Ganache Frosting
- Lemon Buttercream Frosting
ENJOY this yummy cake, you guys! Will you please stop back in and let me know how it turned out for you? I’m so excited to hear!
Instant Pot Cake (Box Mix Transformed)
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 15.25 oz. cake mix plus any ingredients required from package
- 1 cup mix-ins examples: chocolate chips, sprinkles, M&Ms, caramel bits, optional
- 4 cups chocolate buttercream frosting or any buttercream of choice
Instructions
- Pour 1 1/2 cups water into the Instant Pot and place trivet in pot. Coat a round 6- or 7-inch cake pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- Prepare cake batter according to package directions. Divide between two same-size bowls and pour the batter from one of the bowls into the prepared pan. Cover with foil and place pan on the trivet in the Instant Pot.
- Place the cover on the pot and set timer to 35 minutes on high pressure (cake setting). It will take the IP around 6 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.
- When cooking is done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes then do a quick release and allow the float valve to drop.
- Remove cover and check if cake is done by sticking a toothpick into the center. Remove pan from the Instant Pot and let cool for 5 minutes. Carefully invert the cake and remove from pan. Let cool on a wire rack. Cut rounded top off cake. Repeat process with remaining batter.
- Spread frosting over the top of one cooled cake, top with the remaining cake and remaining frosting. Cover and refrigerate until ready to cut in slices and serve!
Hi. I am so excited to try this cake but I have a question. In the video it shows your instant pot set for 30 minutes, but your recipe says 35 minutes. I don’t have a cake setting on my instant pot so how long is the correct time; 30 or 35 minutes. Thank you for your help and Otherwise, I love your video and detailed instructions! -Jeanne 🙂
35 minutes is perfect. Thank you for asking!
Hello! So for people with older instant pots ( no cake setting), it’s 35 minutes on manual ( high pressure ) mode? Is it venting or dealing?
Hi Ana! Good question- yes, you will set your IP for 35 minutes at high pressure. After the timer goes off, you will naturally vent it for 10 minutes, then you can release the remaining pressure.
Used a Bundt Pan in the IP for 35 minutes and it came out great!
Thank you for sharing!
I just made it and it turned out great. I used the double-stacked stainless steel pans with the locking trivet (Amazon). It fits the 6qt IP-just. You may have to turn it so the handle doesn’t interfere with the cage on the underside of the lid, but it will fit. Anyway, the cake was moist and dense, like an old-fashioned cake from scratch, (or the better commercial mixes), like a good wedding cake. I’m not a fan of how fluffy cake mixes usually are so for my taste this was perfect. We don’t have kids and plain cake is just fine for us.
Thanks for sharing. The method is fast, fuss-free, and forgiving. I left mine in for 45 minutes after the cycle was done and it was just fine. Try that in an oven. And on a 90 degree day it didn’t heat up the kitchen.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing
I am making an Insta Pot cake with fruit on the top (on the bottom to bake) and I only have a 9″ pan instead of 6″. It says to bake a 6″ pan for 25 minutes on high so how long would I bake in a 9″? It fits in the Duo model with 3 cups of water on the bottom in a sling.
Thanks
Cindy
Hi Cindy, I can’t speak to how long it would need to bake. A 9″ pan wouldn’t fit in my IP but I imagine that you can try adding 10 minutes on and see if that gives you the perfect cake. I’m sorry I can’t help with this specific question.
What is the reasoning to wrap the pan in foil? I understand to cover it, but what does wrapping it do?
It seals the batter in better. I like to do it as my pans don’t lock into place.
Wrapping or covering the top in foil stops the cake from getting wet.
Mine came out only 2 inches as well. I covered whole thing in foil, I cooked for 30 minutes and followed all other instructions, Any clues?
They shouldn’t be as big as a cake made in the oven because of using pressure and not heat to bake them. You lose the porous cake from the oven but gain a delicious dense cake that in my opinion, is way better. You didn’t do anything wrong!
Can I use both cake pans at the same time to make a cake? (They came in my Asscessories box). Stack on each other. If yes, do I just cover the top pan with foil? Or is it better to do one at a time?
Gloria, good question! You can do two at a time! Make sure they are both sealed or covered with foil if they aren’t made to cover one another with a seal. I would also recommend allowing the cakes to naturally release pressure instead of a QR after 10 minutes.
I did something wrong! The layers were under 2 inches and the cake was so dense it was rubbery!! Almost inedible. What did I do?
Sharon I think I know what I did wrong. I only covered the top of the cake not the whole. Watched the video and discovered that you covered the whole cake b pan.
I’ll try again another day. It was a fun but not fruitful experience 🥴
Hi Sharon, I’m sorry that it didn’t turn out. That’s so frustrating when you’re excited to taste it. Thank you for commenting!
Are the layers about 2inches?
What size of cake pan do you use for that cake?
There are IP cake pans that are about 7in.
I have had my Instant Pot Duo 60 for a little more than a month now. I LOVE using it and have made several recipes so far.
I’m going to try this cake recipe next. Thank you for sharing it 😊
I hope you love it like I do – it’s a simple recipe but tastes like you’ve done something really special to get it that way. Enjoy!!
This was SO GOOD. Thank you for posting all the detailed instructions. A newbie to InstaPot, I was excited to try this. Omg I can’t believe the crumb of this cake. So good – dense and almost spongy at the same time! Thanks again!
I know, right? Completely transforms a cake box. I’m so glad you tried it out for your IP journey! Thank you for sharing!
I made a sugar free boxed devils food cake, I added a teaspoon of orange extract, it made the batter divine! I used a metal two quart bowl to make my boxed cake, I added two cups of water to the bottom and set it for minutes. It worked like a charm! I served with fresh homemade whip cream (Thank you Joanna Gaines!) It was a easy and delicious desert!
I should have proof read the above post before hitting submit but I was so excited I didn’t I set my instant pot on pressure cooker for 45 minutes. If you follow these instructions make sure you cover the pan with foil, I forgot (again out of sheer excitement!) my cake cracked on top. Enjoy! We did 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I love that you added a little orange to the cake. Others will appreciate that tip. And you are right, homemade whipped cream is perfect for a cake like this.
https://pipandebby.com/pip-ebby/homemade-whipped-cream/
I only have one 7” springform pan…. If I have to run the Insta pot two times to cook both layers, do I still cook it at 35 minutes?
I would do it that way. I haven’t tried it to confirm otherwise but this should work. Let me know!
If the cake isn’t completely cooked when i test it, what are the next steps to finishing it?
Christina,
This is a good question but not an issue I’ve run into. As your pressure cooker builds up pressure, it’s already beginning the process of cooking your dessert. If you felt that the cake was underdone and needed just a little more time, you could put the top back on and add a few minutes to the time. But remember that as the pot has to begin building pressure up again which can take 10-15 minutes, that time is against the clock too, not just the actual cooking minutes you set it for. You don’t want to overcook it either. Sorry I don’t have a firm answer but with the tested recipes, I feel confident you’ll have a great dessert!
Can you cook this cake in one go instead of splitting it?
The size of the pans that fit into the IP typically fit into two small rounds. I haven’t found one pot that’s deeper for it and tested it. But I’m sure it could be done! Let me know if you try it!
I have 2 6″ pans from my years on making kids Birthday cakes. Can I put both in at the same time with a 2nd trivet dividing them? I also wondered if I could do one round flat & 1 Bundt pan in the IP at the same time with the trivet between. I thought stacking them would make an unusual cake! I just have low energy because of MS & use the IP to save time & steps so baking 2 layers separate is counterproductive!
I’m sorry that you are dealing with that Amy. But I love that you don’t let it stop you from cooking and baking! I haven’t tried this technique but I know I’ve seen that people have done it so it’s possible!!
Why do you wrap the outside of the cake pan in foil?? I understand covering the top, but why the sides??
Thank you for asking! It is just an easy way to keep the cheesecake in place and when I remove it from the springform pan it’s easy to transfer. You don’t have to do it.
I have a 7" springform pan and a 6.3in diameter fluted tube pan are these ok to use?
Sounds great!
Is the instant pot Bundt plan too small for a one later box cake?
Good question! I haven’t’ used a bundt pan in the IP but my spring form pans are 7 in and I know the store I purchased them at had bundt pans that looked mini, much like the spring form pan did in comparison to my regular cheesecake pan. I used the box mix for two cakes in this recipe so I imagine that one box cake mix would require 2 bundt pans or cooking them individually.
Do you have a recommendation of a cake pan for the instapot? 2” or 4” deep? Thanks!
I think the deeper the better. 3-4" is ideal, but 2" would probably be fine, too.