25 Old Fashioned Cake Mix Hacks from the 1970s

When I think back to potlucks, church socials, and Sunday suppers in the 70s, one thing always comes to mind: the magic of cake mix hacks. Grandma and mom always had a few tricks up their sleeves-adding pudding mix for extra moisture, poking cakes with Jell-O for color, or whipping up Bundt cakes with swirls, nuts, or a splash of liqueur. These recipes turned a simple box of cake mix into desserts that looked (and tasted) like they were made from scratch.

This roundup of 25 old-fashioned cake mix hacks from the 1970s will take you straight back to the days of Pyrex pans, Bundt cakes cooling on the counter, and recipes passed around at potlucks on hand-written cards.

Old Fashioned Cake Mix Hacks

1

Cherry Dump Cake

A cozy, old fashioned cherry dump cake that tastes just like something Grandma would have pulled warm from the oven on a Sunday afternoon.

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2

Sock It To Me Cake Recipe

Yellow cake mix made extra moist with sour cream and swirled with cinnamon-sugar pecans. Popularized in the 70s Bundt craze, it was named after the Laugh-In catchphrase.

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3

Tunnel of Fudge Cake OR Tunnel of Doom Halloween Cake

Chocolate cake mix with nuts and a gooey fudge filling in the center. A Pillsbury Bake-Off hit that launched the Bundt pan into stardom.

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4

Grandma Betty’s Old Fashioned Rum Cake - austinclairephotography.com

Yellow cake mix spiked with pudding, rum, and nuts. A holiday favorite in the 70s, often wrapped up for gifts or served at parties.

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5

Vintage Watergate Cake Recipe

White cake mix blended with pistachio pudding, coconut, and nuts. Its name was tied to the Watergate scandal, but the cake itself was pure 70s potluck charm.

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6

Easy Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

Yellow or chocolate cake mix enhanced with pudding and chocolate chips. A mid-70s community cookbook favorite that always hit the sweet spot.

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7

Harvey Wallbanger Cake - Weekend at the Cottage

Yellow cake mix flavored with Galliano liqueur, vodka, and orange juice. Inspired by the cocktail of the decade, it was a cheeky addition to parties.

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8

Jello Poke Cake

White cake mix poked with holes, filled with gelatin, and topped with Cool Whip. A colorful 1970s birthday cake favorite.

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9

Strawberry Cake with Jello

Yellow cake mix paired with strawberry gelatin and fresh berries. A Southern 70s potluck staple.

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10

Old Fashioned Southern Chocolate Coca Cola Cake

Chocolate cake mix boosted with Coke, cocoa, and marshmallows. A Southern treat that bubbled into popularity in the 70s.

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11

Gooey Butter Cake

Yellow cake mix as a crust, topped with cream cheese and sugar. A St. Louis original that found its way into kitchens nationwide.

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12

Peach Dump Cake

Another dump cake classic with canned peaches, cake mix, and butter. A go-to 70s church cookbook recipe.

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13

Coconut Cream Poke Cake

If you love coconut, you will LOVE this Coconut Cream Poke Cake! It is full of coconut flavor, and it is so moist! Perfect for holidays, potlucks, and summer picnics!

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14

Pineapple Upside Down Cake (With Cake Mix)

Yellow cake mix baked under caramelized pineapple and cherries. A 70s dinner party showpiece with a shortcut twist.

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15

Easy Apple Spice Cakern

Spice cake mix elevated with apple pie filling and nuts. Perfect for fall potlucks in the 70s.

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16

Recipe for Easy Carrot Cake

Spice cake mix folded with carrots, pineapple, and cream cheese frosting. A 70s health food darling that felt homemade.

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17

Pumpkin Pie Cake Bars

Spice cake mix blended with canned pumpkin, frosted with cream cheese icing. A 1970s fall favorite that’s still a classic.

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18

Easy Hummingbird Cake

Spice or yellow cake mix with bananas, pineapple, and pecans. A Southern recipe that hit nationwide fame thanks to Southern Living.

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19

Zucchini Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Spice cake mix enriched with shredded zucchini and nuts. A thrifty 70s garden recipe often shared in church cookbooks.

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20

Easy Black Forest Cake

Rich chocolate cake filled with sweet juicy cherries and topped with fluffy whipped cream is a dream come true with this Easy Black Forest Cake recipe.

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21

Banana Split Cake

Yellow cake mix layered with banana, pineapple, pudding, and whipped cream. A playful 70s dessert inspired by diner sundaes.

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22

Lemon Pudding Cakes - Once Upon a Chef

Lemon cake mix paired with instant lemon pudding for tangy richness. A citrusy 70s favorite boosted by pudding mix.

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23

Easy Boston Cream Pie - The Girl Who Ate Everything

Yellow cake mix layered with vanilla pudding and topped with chocolate glaze. A retro shortcut shared in 70s women’s magazines.

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24

Cinnamon Streusel Cake Mix Coffee Cake

Yellow cake mix layered with cinnamon-pecan streusel. A 1970s brunch classic often brought to coffee klatches.

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25

Dump Cake Recipe

This easy Dump Cake recipe only takes 4 ingredients. It was good for whatever fruit or ingredients you had on hand and gave you a dessert that was perfect for potlucks and gatherings.

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Wrap-Up

The 1970s were all about making life easier in the kitchen, and cake mix hacks were the ultimate solution. From Bundt cakes filled with fudge to quick dump cakes that “made themselves,” these recipes turned simple pantry staples into crowd-pleasing desserts. These 25 old-fashioned cake mix hacks prove that sometimes the best recipes don’t have to be complicated-they just have to come with a little nostalgia.

FAQs About 1970s Cake Mix Hacks

Why were cake mix hacks so popular in the 1970s?

Because they were quick, affordable, and made boxed cake taste homemade they were perfect for busy families and potlucks.

What’s the most famous 70s cake mix hack?

The Tunnel of Fudge and Sock-It-To-Me Cake were two of the decade’s biggest hits.

Why did so many recipes include pudding mix?

Instant pudding kept cakes moist and gave them richer flavor, making it a favorite add-in.

Do people still make these recipes today?

Yes! Many are enjoying a comeback as retro desserts and Pinterest favorites.

What cake pan was most popular in the 1970s?

The Bundt pan reigned supreme, thanks to the Tunnel of Fudge craze.