17 Super Bowl Desserts Starting With A Boxed Cake Mix
Game day deserves desserts that score big without stressing you out. Start with a boxed cake mix, then flip it into playful, crowd-pleasing sweets that travel well and vanish fast.
These picks are messy in the best way, full of bold flavors, and easy to grab between plays. You handle the snacks and streaming, and let these desserts win halftime.
1. Gooey Butter Cake Bars (a.k.a. Chess Squares)
Start with yellow cake mix, melted butter, and an egg to make a quick crust that presses into the pan like a dream. A simple cream cheese, powdered sugar, and egg mixture bakes into a soft, custardy center with crackly edges.
Dust with powdered sugar and let them cool for clean, tempting squares.
These bars travel well, slice beautifully, and hold up on a crowded snack table. You can add a pinch of salt or vanilla for a bakery finish.
Serve chilled or room temp, and watch them disappear faster than kick returns.
2. Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake
Bake a chocolate cake mix in a 9×13, then poke deep holes while it is warm. Pour in sweetened condensed milk mixed with warmed peanut butter for a rich, truffle-like soak.
Chill, then cover with fluffy whipped topping and scatter chopped peanut butter cups on top.
It is messy in the best way, spooned straight from the pan. Each bite hits creamy, chocolatey, and salty-sweet notes.
Keep it cold, serve with big spoons, and do not be surprised when guests line up for seconds.
3. “Jello” Poke Cake With Whipped Topping
Bake a white or yellow cake mix in a glass dish. Poke it full of holes, then pour warm, prepared strawberry or cherry gelatin over the surface so it soaks in dramatic streaks.
Chill until set, then frost with a thick layer of whipped topping for a cool, cloudlike finish.
It serves beautifully when the room is packed and warm. Each slice is extra moist, bright, and nostalgic.
Swap gelatin flavors to match team colors, and keep a chilled knife handy for tidy squares.
4. Salted Caramel Cupcakes With a Crunchy Top
Use yellow cake mix for tender cupcakes, then core and fill with soft caramel sauce. Swirl on caramel buttercream, finishing with flaky sea salt for that sweet-salty pop.
The winning game day move is adding a crunchy crown, like caramel corn or crushed toffee, so they feel snappy and snacky.
They are easy to grab between plays and look instantly festive. Keep napkins handy because caramel gets delightfully sticky.
Pro tip: slightly underbake for softness, then chill a bit before transporting to keep the filling in place.
5. Key Lime Pie Cupcakes
Start with white cake mix so the citrus shines. Fill cooled cupcakes with quick key lime curd or a shortcut filling made from sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and zest.
Top with tangy cream cheese frosting and extra zest for sparkle.
They are bright and zippy, cutting through richer desserts on the table. Serve chilled for the best bite and clean edges.
If you want a bolder pucker, add more zest and a pinch of salt to the frosting.
6. Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes
Devil’s food cake mix bakes into rich, tender cupcakes that feel grown-up without fuss. Beat espresso powder into buttercream and add a drizzle of caramel to echo a coffeehouse favorite.
A sprinkle of flaky salt tightens the flavors and keeps sweetness balanced.
These pair beautifully with cold brew during halftime. You can pipe tall swirls or spread casually with a spoon.
If you like stronger coffee flavor, brush cupcakes with espresso syrup before frosting, then chill briefly so swirls set for transport.
7. Mississippi Mud Trifle
Bake a chocolate cake mix, cool, and cube it. Layer with chocolate pudding, whipped topping, and crushed chocolate cookies to build towering, dramatic stripes in a trifle bowl.
Toss in mini marshmallows, toasted pecans, and a chocolate drizzle to nod at classic Mississippi Mud Pie richness.
Trifles look fancy but require almost no precision. The bowl travels easily, and serving is just scoop and go.
Make ahead, chill, and bring a big spoon to keep the line moving between plays.
8. Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Take any cake mix and turn it into a thick, stir-and-press dough with eggs and melted butter or oil. Fold in chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, chopped candy bars, or pretzels for texture.
Press into a pan and bake until edges are set and centers are chewy.
These bars slice neatly and stack for easy grabbing. Customize flavors to match team colors using candy pieces.
If you want extra chew, pull them slightly underdone and let carryover heat finish the center.
9. Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Spread cherry pie filling in a baking dish, then sprinkle dry chocolate cake mix evenly over the top. Dot with thin slices of butter and bake until the edges crisp and the cherries bubble through.
The texture lands between cobbler and brownie, with fudgy pockets and crunchy edges.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and spoons ready. It is a low-effort hero that satisfies chocolate lovers.
Add almond extract to the filling for a cherry bakewell vibe, or toss in chocolate chunks for extra richness.
10. Apple Dump Cake
Pour apple pie filling into a buttered dish and dust with cinnamon. Sprinkle a dry yellow or spice cake mix on top, then finish with thin butter slices for even coverage.
Bake until the top turns golden and the apples bubble at the corners.
It brings cozy, warm dessert energy to a loud living room. Serve with vanilla ice cream or sharp cheddar if you are feeling adventurous.
Add chopped pecans for crunch, and keep a big spoon handy so guests can self-serve quickly.
11. Football-Shaped Cake (No Special Pan Needed)
Bake two round cakes from a boxed mix. Trim and arrange into a classic football shape, then frost with chocolate frosting until smooth.
Pipe white frosting for the laces and stripes, and you instantly have a game day centerpiece that shouts Super Bowl on sight.
Use a serrated knife for clean cuts and chill layers before shaping to minimize crumbs. Add team-colored sprinkles around the board.
It is surprisingly simple, and every slice feels celebratory without buying a special pan.
12. Football Cake Pops
Crumb a baked cake mix and mash with frosting to form a moldable dough. Shape ovals, chill, then dip in melted chocolate coating for a shiny finish.
Pipe white laces across the top to sell the football look, and stand them upright in foam or a colander to set.
They are handheld, portioned, and great for kids and adults. Use lollipop sticks or pretzel rods for extra crunch.
Keep them chilled until kickoff so the coating stays snappy and the centers hold their shape.
13. Devil’s Food Brownie Cake
Turn devil’s food cake mix into a denser, brownie-like treat by reducing liquid and adding melted butter. Bake in a small pan for thick slabs with fudgy centers.
Finish with a glossy ganache or warmed chocolate sauce for instant bakery shine.
Slice into small squares so everyone gets a hit of deep chocolate without needing forks. Add espresso powder to intensify flavor and a pinch of salt to balance.
Serve slightly warm, then keep covered so it stays moist through overtime.
14. Oreo Poke Cake
Bake a chocolate cake mix and poke while warm. Pour a cookies-and-cream pudding over the cake so it sinks into tunnels.
Chill, then spread whipped topping and shower with crushed Oreos for crunch and contrast.
It is soft, creamy, and crunchy all at once, the kind of dessert people keep nibbling. For extra drama, add mini Oreos on top and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
Keep it cold for the cleanest slices, and bring a long spatula for tidy serving.
15. Funfetti Party Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting
Mix funfetti cake mix into a thicker batter and bake into chewy bars. Once cool, spread a tangy cream cheese frosting that cuts the sweetness.
Shower with extra rainbow sprinkles so it still looks like a party even if your team is losing.
These bars slice neatly and hold up on a crowded table. Add almond extract for bakery vibes, or swap in team-colored sprinkles.
Chill before transport to lock the frosting in place, then serve slightly cool for clean bites.
16. Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake
Bake a white or yellow cake mix in a 9×13 and let it cool. Macerate sliced strawberries with sugar and a squeeze of lemon, then spoon over the cake so the juices seep in.
Finish with whipped topping or lightly sweetened whipped cream for a soft, cloudlike crown.
It is light, fresh, and easy to serve when heavier desserts crowd the table. Keep it chilled for clean squares.
Add vanilla to the berries and a pinch of salt to the cream for a polished flavor.
17. Peanut Butter Chocolate “Stadium” Brownies
Use a chocolate cake mix altered into thick brownies. Frost with creamy peanut butter frosting and finish with a chocolate drizzle.
For a playful Super Bowl twist, scatter chopped peanuts and candy pieces to mimic a cheering crowd around the “field.”
Cut into bars for quick grabs between plays. The sweet-salty balance keeps people coming back.
Add pretzel bits for extra crunch and a pinch of flaky salt to brighten everything. Keep chilled until kickoff so frosting holds its shape during the action.
