Following the recipe on the back of boxed cake mix can be boring. One way to elevate the mix, if you're a fan of fall flavors ...

or make a denser cake for tiers, simple syrup will protect its flavor and keep it moist. Learning how to make simple syrup is, well, simple. The recipe requires nothing more than water ...

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line the bottom of a 9 by 13-inch (23 by 33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper and grease ...