The best cake begins with the best batter. Duncan Hines promises a smooth, velvety batter for a perfect cake every time. Visit http://www.duncanhines.com/recipes/cakes for more delicious and creative recipe ideas.

Bleached Wheat Flour (wheat Flour [enriched With Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Malted Barley Flour), Sugar, Dehydrated Carrots, Raisins, Canola Oil, Brown Sugar, Dextrose, Vegetable Shortening (palm Oil, Soybean Oil, Mono- And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Tbhq And Citric Acid [added To Protect Flavor]), Soybean Oil, Leavening (sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Spices, Salt, Caramel Color, Modified Food Starch, Xanthan Gum, Colored With Yellow 5 Lake, Red 40 Lake.

You Will Need: eggs; water; vegetable oil. Carrot Raisin Pouch: 1-1/4 cup hot water. Cake Mix: 3 large eggs; 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Baking Instructions: 1. Prep: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F for metal and glass pans. 325 degrees F for dark or coated pans. Grease sides and bottom of each pan with shortening or oil spray. Flour lightly. (Use baking cups for cupcakes). 2. Mix: Empty contents of carrot and raisin pouch into a small bowl. Add 1-1/4 cups of hot tap water into bowl with carrots and raisin mixture; set aside for about 5 minutes. 3. Mix: Blend cake mix, oil, eggs and carrot and raisin mixture from Step 2 (including any unabsorbed water) in a large bowl. Do not add any additional water. Beat by hand until well blended (about 50 strokes). Pour batter in prepared pan and bake immediately. For cupcakes, fill baking cup 2/3 full. 4. Bake: Bake in center of oven at 350 degrees F following chart below. Add 3-5 minutes bake time for dark or coated pans. Cake is done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Please note the real carrots and raisins help create a denser richer cake that will not rise to the same height as a traditional Duncan Hines cake. Cool cakes in pans on wire rack for 15 minutes before removing. Cool completely before frosting. 2 8-inch pan size: 32-34 min bake time. 2 9-inch pan size: 26-28 min bake time. 13 x 9-inch pan size: 30-33 min. Bundt pan size: 35-40 min. 24 cupcakes: 20-25 min. High Altitude (Over 3,500 ft): Stir 1/2 cup of flour into cake mix and follow basic directions above. Lower Fat Recipe: Prepare carrot raisin pouch as directed above. Prepare cake mix following the instructions above except omit oil and use 1 cup water, 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, and 3 eggs. Reduce baking time 1-2 minutes.