Has anyone ever tried adding cornstarch to a box cake mix to obtain a finer crumb?

I've been asked for a wedding cake for 450ppl, and I'm not about to make that much cake from scratch! I love the fine crumb of a scratch cake, but I'm not sure how else to get that in a cake mix unless I add corn starch like one would to AP flour to make cake flour.

I've never tried that, but I do use and love the WASC method for cake mixes. You can find the recipe here, just search WASC. It gives a really moist, tender crumb cake much like a scratch cake. Plus, it extends the box mix so each box goes further!

I've never tried it before but since your doing it for a wedding I suggest you try it/experiment a sample & let us know how it turns out

I usually add three tablespoons of cake flour per mix and reduce the water from 1 and 1/4 cup to only 1 cup.

The way I get a finer texture is to beat the eggs, oil and water for about a minute and then sift the cake mix/flour before I add to the cake mix and beat it for two more minutes than the package says. I usually use Betty Crocker but if Pilsbury is on sale I use that.

That sounds like a neat idea...I would love to know how the experiments go if you try it. I will try it on a cake for my family this week if I remember! How much should I try? A Tablespoon or so?

mamadear, that sound cool, is this recipe good for fondant?

I just use Pillsbury cake mix and beat it on med high a couple min longer and it works great. I have tried other ways and with the raves I get I can't bring myself to change it. The frosting and fondant help keep the moisture in so it is not falling apart and crumbing

thanks ladies! I think I will try it and I'll check back and let you all know! i'm always afraid to beat a mix too long for fear it will get too much air? You don't find a lot of air pockets in it when you do that?

I love the moistness of the WASC recipe, but the crumb comes out more like cornbread to me...or something close to that. I'm hoping adding cornstarch may alleviate that and make it a bit more delicate.

If you use the flat paddle on your Kitchen Aid or a flat beater in a hand mixer, there will not be too much air in it. I beat mine batter for quite a few minutes, until it is very smooth.