Effortlessly Liven Up Boxed Cake Mix With One Breakfast Staple

Most boxed cake mixes need a bit of a personal touch to give them that extra oomph. An additional ingredient can make all the difference, to the point where some boxed cake instructions should just be disregarded. While a handful of roasted nuts, some icing, or even serving it in an interesting way are all options, there's a simple addition that can make the cake taste like something you got from a boutique bakery instead of a supermarket shelf. That culinary superstar? Espresso powder.

Espresso powder is essentially dehydrated espresso coffee that, when mixed with a small portion of warm water, becomes a rich syrup that can bring depth to many cakes. Note that the powder is different from espresso grounds; the latter is not soluble and therefore not ideal for mixing into cake batter. However, you should try putting some espresso grounds in your next steak rub to open up the meat's umami flavors and add a crispy crust. 

With sweet baked goods, espresso powder provides contrast to the existing flavors and works especially well to bolster any notes of chocolate present in the cake. If you've used regular baking chocolate or cocoa, a dash of espresso powder can make it taste a whole lot more gourmet by adding a new level of complexity that brings to mind more expensive chocolate. Best of all, you can use it to upgrade just about any flavored cake and it works equally well in boxed and homemade cake batters.

There are two important things to remember when adding espresso powder to your cake batter. First, always dissolve it in water before adding it in to ensure there are no granules left over. This is concentrated coffee and, therefore, can be quite bitter. The upside of this is that a little espresso powder goes a long way. It also easily dissolves in a small amount of water, so you don't risk the cake batter getting too runny when using it. In general, don't add more than a teaspoon of espresso powder to a medium-sized cake. The idea is to let it complement the flavor of the cake without being noticeable. Add too much and your chocolate cake might turn into a mocha-flavored confection with the coffee overpowering other, more subtle notes.

When added in small quantities, the deep, rich flavor of espresso powder complements a variety of sweet flavors. It does this by either bolstering existing flavors, as in the case with chocolate, or by contrasting them, as is when you add it to a lightly flavored vanilla or lemon cake. In fact, a great way to experience the way coffee complements citrus flavors is by making an espresso lemonade, which is also the perfect way to start a warm summer day.