Elevate Boxed Cake Mix With One Salty And Crunchy Addition

There are many ways to use boxed cake mix that elevate it from the humdrum cake you'd get if you simply followed the instructions on the box. However, if you're not in the mood to experiment but still want to elevate the cake to something memorable, there are several simple tweaks available to you. The best way to upgrade a dish and make it seem more gourmet and generally taste better is to add complexity. You can do this by bringing in contrasting flavors or textures, and introducing crispy pretzel bits into boxes cake mix does both.

While adding the crispy snack into chocolate cake is the most common move, pretzels actually work well with many other varieties of cakes, including those with nuanced flavors like red velvet. You can also use them in lieu of nuts in brownies, or simply add them into the batter of any cake you're making. 

What really makes pretzels a great cake add-on, in addition to their distinctive salty flavor, is their versatility. From how big you want those pretzel bits to be to whether you want them inside, on top, or at the bottom of your cake, there are multiple ways to use them to upgrade your next boxed cake mix.

One key aspect to remember when incorporating pretzels into a cake is to ensure that they don't overpower the cake's flavor. The crunchy snack has a distinct salty taste that can dominate more subtle notes. Also, keep your audience in mind and how much they like pretzels. 

To keep things subtle, blend the pretzels into a rough texture and incorporate into your cake batter. Or, make the cake as you would and then upgrade the frosting by mixing crushed pretzels into it. Keep in mind that pretzels are a dry ingredient and you will likely have to balance the moistness of the cake by increasing some of the wet ingredients. This is another reason why adding pretzels to the frosting is a good idea — it allows you to make the cake without having to worry about changing any measurements.

Of course, pretzels also work well as a topping. In this case, bigger chunks work better, so place the pretzels in a sealed food-safe bag and use a rolling pin to break them into large, uneven chunks. This results in a more prominent pretzel flavor so we recommend trying this with a treat that has a stronger presence, like a chocolate cake. You can also finely crush pretzels and mix the powder with butter to make a delicious crust that perfectly compliments many treats and adds texture to every bite. Keep in mind that large pieces of pretzels will get soggy over time, so if you plan on eating the cake the following day, add the pretzels as a topping just before serving.