Number of boxes of cake mix for various size cake pans

by Wesley's Mom
(Great Neck, NY)

I want to make a really special three tiered cake for my son's first birthday party. I've never done such a large cake before, so I have some questions. I'm thinking of using a 14-inch round pan, a 10-inch round pan, and a 6-inch round pan. How many boxes of cake mix will I need for each pan if I want a nice tall cake, (about the thickness of a cake using 2 8-inch round pans stacked?) And how long should each size pan bake for? Also, will I need to stake the cakes to prevent the bottom tier(s) from collapsing? Thank you so much!

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Number of boxes of cake mix for various size cake pans

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Feb 10, 2012
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Thank You NEW
by: Anonymous

Thank you, Michelle!!! I am using 3 inch deep pans, so this is exactly what I was looking for. ;)

Feb 01, 2012
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Thank you! NEW
by: Becca

Really appreciate the cake recipes/pan and cooking time numbers. So helpful!!

Sep 25, 2011
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Good info NEW
by: mboden

Actually I was looking for the 3" pan for these exact sizes so I found the answer VERY helpful. It was all in information I needed. Thanks!

Jun 22, 2011
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cake mix per cake pans NEW
by: Mragan

The comment from Michelle is for 3-inch deep pans. The majority of people will use 2-inch deep pans so the answer you gave was not helpful. Why not give the answer for 2-inch deep pans. I don't know otherwise I would post.

May 04, 2010
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What? NEW
by: Mag

That didn't make much sense.. I'll look elsewhere.

May 15, 2009
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Cake Pan Sizes etc. NEW
by: Michelle (admin)

Hi Wesley's Mom,

The amounts given are for 3" deep pans.

1. A 6" round pan takes 3 cups of batter , a 10" round pan takes 8-9 cups of batter and a 14" round pan takes 15 cups of batter. for cakes larger than 8" round I recommend splitting the batter into two pans (1/3 of the batter in one and 2/3 in the other). This makes for shorter baking times and more even baking. For a 14" round pan, in each pan use a Flower Nail
(flat side set in the bottom of the pan) to conduct heat to the center of the cake while it's baking.

There is about 5 to 5 1/2 cups of batter in an average boxed cake mix, so use that as your guide to work out the number required for each pan. When you're working with multiple mixes, make each one individually, then mix them together and pour into the pan.

2. Bake the 6" round for 30-35 minutes, bake the 10" round pan (1/3 full) for 20-25 minutes and (2/3 full) for 35-40 minutes, bake the 14" round (1/3 full)25-30 minutes and (2/3 full) for 40-45 minutes. Obviously, these times are a guide only and will vary greatly depending on your oven.

3. You will need to place cake dowels for support in each of the bottom two layers in this size cake. Use 7-9 dowels in the 14" tier and 5-7 dowels in the 10" tier.

Good luck. Don't forget to come back and show off your cake after it's done. I love to see what my visitors have been up to!

Regards,
Michelle (editor)

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