I have made this Instant Pot Cake recipe a hundred times and it turns out perfectly every single time. It’s made with a boxed cake mix (SO easy!), it is such a moist cake filled with flavor, and much less porous than its oven-baked counterpart. Nobody has to know this delicious cake was not made completely from scratch.
Original post: April 2019 | Updated: September 2024
Why This Recipe Works
This is perhaps my favorite Instant Pot recipe of all time. No joke. Here are just a few of the many many reasons I love it so much:
- I’ve made it a hundred times and it’s literally never failed me.
- This is my go-to recipe when making a cake, and the best instant pot cake recipe ever.
- My pressure cooker never stops blowing my mind. Who knew that a cake could turn out so perfectly when made inside of the confines of the magical little appliance.
- It’s the most low-maintenance, simple recipe known to man, made with just a few simple ingredients and the press of a button.
- The cake is non-porous, unlike its oven-baked cousin that always contains a ton of holes.
- Being cooked in a moist environment creates a super moist and delicious end result.
- Made with a box mix, you can use any flavor of your choosing.
- When the same recipe is made in the oven, the overall end result is a thousand times better when made in an electric pressure cooker.
- There is no need to make a from-scratch cake recipe in the Instant Pot! This is the easiest cake recipe you’ll ever make and you will be blown away by how good it tastes.
Recipe Ingredients
Cake mix – Choose any variety, making sure you also have any ingredients required from package instructions.
Mix-ins – Use no more than 1 cup of any of the following: chocolate chips, sprinkles, M&Ms, caramel bits, butterscotch chips.
Frosting – Chocolate buttercream frosting or any buttercream of choice.
How To Make Instant Pot Cake
Step 1
Pour 1 1/2 cups of water into the bottom of the pot and place trivet inside. 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 and lower into the inner pot.
Step 2
Place the cover on the pot, set to sealing position 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 (“natural release”) for 10 minutes then do a quick release and allow the remaining hot air to release and the float valve to drop.
Step 3
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.
Step 4
Spread frosting over the top of the cake, top with the remaining cake and remaining frosting. Cover and refrigerate until ready to cut in slices and serve!
Recipe Notes
- I love the trivet that comes with the Instant Pot because it allows you 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” or to use a bakeware sling because the trivet gets the job done itself.
- You’ll find a “cake” button on newer models of Instant Pot. If your pressure cooker has this button, use it! If not, use the “pressure cook” button, and 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 cake turned out great both ways, every time. Do not exceed more than 1 cup of extras.
- Make sure you have all of the ingredients listed on the box before starting.
Can You Use a Regular Cake Pan in an Instant Pot
Normal 8- or 9-inch round cake pans will not fit inside an Instant Pot, so you will need to get either a 6-inch pan or a 7-inch round cake pan if you don’t already have one. An Instant Pot cake pan is essential for the success of this recipe.
Types of Cake Mixes to Choose From
Depending on which cake mix you choose, you can create any of the following types of cakes using the recipe in this post:
- Instant Pot carrot cake
- Easy Instant Pot chocolate cake
- Instant Pot strawberry cake
- Vanilla or white cake
- Funfetti cake
- Instant Pot lemon cake (top with lemon zest!)
Why Are There Two Instant Pot Sealing Rings
Your Instant Pot might come with two sealing rings, one red and one blue. Having extra sealing rings is useful when you cook both savory and sweet foods in your pressure cooker. The silicone rings can absorb scents from food, so it is a good idea to separate sweet and savory.
Best Frosting Recipes
Below are a few of my favorite types of frosting to slather all over cakes such as this one.
- Vanilla Buttercream
- Chocolate Buttercream
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- Chocolate Ganache Frosting
- Lemon Buttercream Frosting
How Long Does Cake Last
A baked cake will last two days at room temperature, up to a week in the fridge and up to three months in the freezer. No matter where you’re storing it, be sure to keep in an airtight container for best results.
Favorite Instant Pot Desserts
Instant Pot Cake Recipe – 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!
Video
Notes
- I love the trivet that comes with the Instant Pot because it allows you 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” or to use a bakeware sling because the trivet gets the job done itself.
- You’ll find a “cake” button on newer models of Instant Pot. If your pressure cooker has this button, use it! If not, use the “pressure cook” button, and 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 cake turned out great both ways, every time. Do not exceed more than 1 cup of extras.
- Make sure you have all of the ingredients listed on the box before starting.
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.