Making the cake

So recently, I test out Trader Joe's Beef en Croute and found out pretty quickly the directions were off. Likewise, I'm here to tell you that the directions here are also off.

Ok, I mean the cooking time is off. Like not even close.

Before I even tell you what this tastes like, please make sure you stay close to this product as it bakes.

By default, whenever I test something I usually try it 5 minutes early. But when the directions say something needs to be in the oven for at least an hour, then I start checking at least 10 minutes early.

It's a good thing I did.

At 45 minutes, this was done. I saw online some people said theirs was done in about 35 minutes.

So please, keep an eye on this.

Now that you've been warned about the cooking time, let's dive into making this.

For the most part, I'm really bad about reading directions. I think a lot of people are. The first thing they want you to do is to remove some of the top layers and set it aside for later.

I know a lot of people will just dump this jar into a mixing bowl. But when I dumped mine out, everything came out except for the brown sugar. It was a brick and needed the help of a knife to cut it to get it out.

Otherwise, all this requires is 3 eggs, a bit of water, and 1 stick plus 2 tablespoon of butter.

A quick mix and into a loaf pan (which is kinda weird for a cake but whatever).

And out of the jar, everything came together as directed. Some stroopwafel bits were put to the side and placed on top before baking.

I always check baked goods early especially since this stated 55-60 minutes of bake time. I set a timer for 45 minutes, but I walked past the oven at 37 minutes and it looked nearly done. At 45 mine was totally done.

Out of the oven and cooled, this was a tasty cake that is a basic caramel flavor.

Nothing too standout. But a solid caramel flavored cake with stroopwafel bits on the top.

The stroopwafel bits didn't really seem to stand out in the fully baked cake.

But the cake (er...loaf?) was still solid. If I had to do it again, I'd make this in a round cake pan rather than a loaf to make sure I get fewer edges.

Overall

For $4.49 this isn't a cheap mix, but the end result is good. It probably won't wow either. But it was fun to try and when you deal with packaging like this then realistically you are looking to give this to someone as a gift.

Would I buy this again? For me, Trader Joe's Stroopwafel Cake Baking Mix is a one-time purchase. I prefer my standard yellow cake mix to this.

Did you try it?  Let me know what you think in the comments section!