Instant pot cake, brownies, bread? Well yes!
Do you think CAKE all the time? If you are a cake, brownie or bread lover like me.. read on or even better rush to your pantry, may be local grocery even. It’s time to redefine baking with the ease of boxed cake mixes and the convenience of hands-off Instant Pot cooking.
I recently got the new Instant Pot DUO-60 that comes with a preset cake program. I was excited to try some basic cakes and decided to put some of our favorite boxed mixes to test.
I made Pillsbury funfetti cake, Duncan Hines dark chocolate fudge brownies and Trader Joe’s cornbread mix all in this 7 inch X 3 inch fat daddio’s cake pan.
Pillsbury funfetti cake was the very first cake I made, because it is CAKE and it is FUN to look at and eat! This is one cake that always takes me back to my childhood growing up vanilla cake that my mom made with rainbow swirls on top!
Instructions for Funfetti cake mix:
- Grease all sides of the cake pan.
- Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot insert.
- Beat cake mix, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup oil and 3 whole eggs in a bowl.
- Pour the batter in the greased cake pan.
- Gently cover the cake pan with a paper towel. Using a piece of aluminum foil, cover the paper towel and gently secure the paper towel around the rim of the pan.
- Place the cake pan on the trivet and carefully place the trivet inside the Instant Pot.
- Press the “Cake” button and set the mode to “Less”. Adjust the cook time to 50 minutes.
- Allow Natural Pressure Release.
Next we made Duncan Hines dark chocolate fudge brownies with the brownie mix. Why? Because we get brownie requests at random times in my house! I must confess that I never turn down a brownie request. Instant Pot came in handy during hot summer evenings, when heating up the entire kitchen was not a good idea.
Instructions for dark CHOCOLATE fudge brownies(Fudgy version):
- Grease all sides of the cake pan.
- Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot insert.
- Stir in brownie mix, 1 egg, 1/3 cup water and 1/2 cup oil in a bowl until well blended.
- Pour the batter in the greased cake pan.
- Gently cover the cake pan with a paper towel. Using a piece of aluminum foil, cover the paper towel and gently secure the paper towel around the rim of the pan.
- Place the cake pan on the trivet and carefully place the trivet inside the Instant Pot.
- Press the “Cake” button and set the mode to “Normal”. Adjust the cook time to 46 minutes.
- Allow Natural Pressure Release.
Third boxed cake mix put to test was Trader Joe’s cornbread Mix! I always tell myself that this is a healthier bread{cake} and pretend to ignore the 15 grams of sugar per serving. I think this method is going to come in handy for Thanksgiving this year when the ovens are stuffed with turkey!
Instructions for Trader Joe’s cornbread mix:
- Grease all sides of the cake pan.
- Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot insert.
- Beat cornbread mix, 1 egg, 1/2 cup oil and 3/4 cup milk in a bowl until moistened. Do not over mix.
- Pour the batter in the greased cake pan.
- Gently cover the cake pan with a paper towel. Using a piece of aluminum foil, cover the paper towel and gently secure the paper towel around the rim of the pan.
- Place the cake pan on the trivet and carefully place the trivet inside the Instant Pot.
- Press the “Cake” button and set the mode to “Normal”. Adjust the cook time to 45 minutes.
- Allow Natural Pressure Release.
I hope you will enjoy the Instant Pot cake, brownies and bread!
To summarize and here is a rough formula for Instant Pot cake, brownies, bread:
- For all three, start with the MAX cook time on the box for 8″ X 8″ pan. Since I am using the 7″ X 3″ cake pan, add 5 mins to this cook time.
- For lighter cakes like the funfetti, add extra 7 mins since it is cooking under “Less” mode. So the total cook time is 38+5+7=50 mins
- For fudge brownies, add extra 7 minutes of cook time. In my initial attempts, the brownie was bit moist and so adding the extra time helped. Brownies will not be crunchy but more moist/cake like. Total cook time is 34+5+7=46 mins
- For dense breads just adding extra 5 mins to account for the cake pan size worked well. Total cook time 40+5=45 mins
Hope this is helpful guide for you to start experimenting boxed mixed with the Instant Pot. Do you have better cook times for Instant pot cake, brownies, bread? Please let me know, I will try them for sure.
Still hungry for more? Try this delicious zucchini bread in Instant Pot and put those summers best zucchinis to a good use!
Author: Archana
Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
sri says
Hi, i have an instant pot duo 60 but i dont have a Cake function, can you share what instant pot model you have ?
Archana says
Hi Sri! The new model IP DUO PLUS 60 has cake option
Tam says
Without the cake button, is it cooked on high pressure?
Archana says
Yes!
Megala says
Beautiful cakes !
Archana says
Thank you!
Katie Joy Newhouse says
I’m so excited to try this!!
Archana says
Thank you Katie!
Tanya says
If I only have the 7 in 1 instant pot, how would the time change considering I would use Manual setting? Thanks.
Archana says
Hi Tanya, You can use the same time and cook on Manual High pressure.
Amy P. says
Is there a certain amount of extra water to use? I have other types of boxed cakes and I really want to try them in my instant pot. Should I otherwise just follow the directions? I’ve had lots of bad luck with it, so I need extra help.
Archana says
You do not need extra water, I pretty much followed the box directions but increased the cook times. Here is a summary of different boxed mixes i used – TO SUMMARIZE AND HERE IS A ROUGH FORMULA FOR INSTANT POT CAKE, BROWNIES, BREAD:
For all three, start with the MAX cook time on the box for 8″ X 8″ pan. Since I am using the 7″ X 3″ cake pan, add 5 mins to this cook time.
For lighter cakes like the funfetti, add extra 7 mins since it is cooking under “Less” mode. So the total cook time is 38+5+7=50 mins
For fudge brownies, add extra 7 minutes of cook time. In my initial attempts, the brownie was bit moist and so adding the extra time helped. Brownies will not be crunchy but more moist/cake like. Total cook time is 34+5+7=46 mins
For dense breads just adding extra 5 mins to account for the cake pan size worked well. Total cook time 40+5=45 mins
Cindy says
I have an instant pot mini duo and a 6x 3 cake pan. How would I adjust the time and the amount of cake or brownie mix to put in my pan? Thanks for your help!
Archana says
Hi Cindy! I do not have an Insant Pot mini to tell you the exact timings. If you send me the photo of the box mix and the timings on the box I might be able to help you with the timings.
Angela says
Did you use the family size box of brownies or the regular box?
Archana says
Regular box
Jay says
Thank you for the timing guide. I baked a german chocolate cake using following your algorithm, and it turned out wonderfully.
Archana says
That’s great! We would love to see your German cake recipe
Lee Buskey says
So I have the new IP DUO 80, and it has a cake program. Is there anything wrong with just letting the program do its thing? I was a bit disappointed not to find any instructions for the various programs that the thing comes with. There a cook book, which is great, but that’s specific recipes, and a user’s guide that doesn’t go over the programs (like ho much water to add for Steaming for example. There is a general cook time for grains, bean, vegetables and meats though. Have you ever just selected Cake and let it fly? (I’m 16 minutes form finding out myself for boxed carrot cake..:P )
Archana says
Hi Lee, Yes, I have tried cake button and it works well for the most part, but depending on the cake mix you are using you will have to adjust the cook time. Here is my formula based on several mixes I tried:
TO SUMMARIZE AND HERE IS A ROUGH FORMULA FOR INSTANT POT CAKE, BROWNIES, BREAD:
For all three, start with the MAX cook time on the box for 8″ X 8″ pan. Since I am using the 7″ X 3″ cake pan, add 5 mins to this cook time.
For lighter cakes like the funfetti, add extra 7 mins since it is cooking under “Less” mode. So the total cook time is 38+5+7=50 mins
For fudge brownies, add extra 7 minutes of cook time. In my initial attempts, the brownie was bit moist and so adding the extra time helped. Brownies will not be crunchy but more moist/cake like. Total cook time is 34+5+7=46 mins
For dense breads just adding extra 5 mins to account for the cake pan size worked well. Total cook time 40+5=45 mins
Krista says
I have a 7” bunny pan I’m using for a binder cake, how would I adjust the cooking times. Would it be the box time for bunts cake + 5 minuets?
Archana says
For bundt pan you do not have to add extra 5 mins. Same cook time should work
Pahto Adams says
what’s the purpose of the paper towel? How do you keep it from sinking into the pan?
Archana says
It is to absorb any moisture. I use it with the foil secure so it does not sink in
Sidra Zuhair says
Hi Archana
I’ve 7 in 1 Duo IP .. it doesn’t have cake button.. so can you please tell me how to make box cakes in my IP??
Which button do I need to use and for how long specially for fudge brownie?
TIA.
Archana says
Hi Sidra, You can use the Manual/Pressure Cook button. For the cook time I follow the one on the box and add extra 5 minutes in instant Pot.
Nancy Frias says
I have the 8 quart ultra. The cake function only has high or low pressure, not normal. So I’m cooking it right now and just used the high pressure and 46 minutes of cook time for the brownie mix. I’m hoping the size of the pot doesn’t make that much of a difference.
Archana says
Sorry, just seeing this now! How did your brownies turn out. The size of the pot should not matter.
TK Ham says
What trivet did you use?
Archana says
Hi! I use the stainless steel trivet that came with the Instant Pot.
mary Shryock says
Is there a special cake pan for the Instant Pot or can I use any that I already have?
Archana says
Usually a 7-inch cake pan fits well in my 6-QT instant pot. So if you have one that fits you can use it 🙂
Debbie Pfaff says
Do you use the whole box of cake mix for one 7 inch cake? Seems like a lot of cake mix for one small pan. What to make sure before I try this.
Archana says
Depends on which cake mix you are using. You can do half to be on the safe side.
Crystal says
Do you have any suggestions how to make a sourdough bread using this function (or even if it’s possible)? Thank you.
Archana says
sorry, I have not tried sour dough bread in the Instant Pot.
Nina says
My funfetti cake mix box says I can substitute unsweetened applesauce for the oil. Would this work in IP too? Also, what size was the funfetti cake mix box that you used in your recipe? Mine is 15.25oz and I plan to make it in the 8” push pan in the 8 quart IP. Thanks!!
Archana says
I have not tried without oil but I think it will work. Also will work fine in 8” push pan
Gigi says
I just bought my 6 quart instant pot and I really excited to try to make a cake with it. So thanks for all the guidance you gave. Two questions, why do you need to cover the cake pan with paper and foil? How full is your cake pan with the cake batter before baking?
Archana says
Congratulations Gigi! You will love cooking in the Instant Pot! Paper and foil prevents excess moisture from getting in the cake. And depending on the type of cake and how much it will rise you have to fill the cake pan. As a general rule I wouldn’t go more than 3/4th