blog - BecomeBetty.com

Trader Joe's Fudgy Chocolate Quinoa Loaf and Cake Mix

It's been a good year so far to be at Trader Joe's if you are gluten-free. Now, I'm not gluten-free, but I do like to see how things taste. And if desserts are where you feel like gluten is missing the most then they have you covered with Trader Joe's Fudgy Chocolate Quinoa Loaf and Cake Mix.

Taste and review

I like to pick things apart step by step. So here we go.

First, all you need to make this is 4 eggs, water, and oil. So in terms of adding things you are good. Having made this, you can totally add in other things to supplement this like chocolate chips or candy to make this more delicious.

Second, when mixing these items you get a chocolate mix in this box plus some chocolate syrup. So there are actually two additional plastic bags in this box. No big deal in my world. Just more packaging that I can't really see a way around.

After mixing all the required items together I made this in a loaf pan. After making the Bourbon Cake Mix this past winter, I wanted to use a more standard shape. Plus that mix didn't even come half way up the side of the pan making it hard to gaze into the oven to see how things were progressing.

Well, if you are going the route of the loaf pan, be warned: this nearly fills an entire loaf pan. Which in my case caused me to panic and put a cookie sheet under it should anything go wrong. And in my world, I don't like cleaning the oven.

I'm happy to report that while it did rise past the top of the loaf pan, nothing spilled. ::Phew::

Now, I don't know if the addition of the extra cookie sheet added cooking time, but according to the box, this needs just about an hour. Well, I was at an hour and 14 minutes when my cake tester came out clean.

I do hate it when they don't mention whether or not it needs to sit in the pan for a bit. So I gave it a 10-minute rest in the pan before removing it.

It still needed quite a while to cool down, but what I was rewarded with was delicious chocolate cake. It doesn't rise to brownie fudge level. Nope. It's cake. It's relatively light in texture, just not in calories.

My loaf is apparently 15 servings. However, to be fair, the cake is pretty rich tasting, so that will slow you down.

Had I not known that this mix was gluten-free, it would be hard to tell. With one exception: the edges and top. They didn't quite get the right. The edges aren't pillowy soft the way a flour-based cake would be. But otherwise, they really did nail this.

Overall

And if you find yourself saying: "It's Quinoa, it must be healthy." Sorry to break this to you. Most of the fiber that is found in quinoa has clearly been stripped away here. Perhaps this is a touch nuttier than a regular chocolate cake, but otherwise for $3.49, this is really well done.

This is sold at Trader Joe's but is also available on Amazon.com.

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

Product photos

The box of Trader Joe's Fudgy Chocolate Quinoa Loaf and Cake Mix:

An unopened box of Trader Joe's Fudgy Chocolate Quinoa Loaf and Cake Mix

Calories

Ingredients

Directions

After being cooked you get:

A fully baked Trader Joe's Fudgy Chocolate Quinoa Loaf and Cake

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

The Bottom Line

Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.

Become Betty Gives Thanks (and Gives Away a Trader Joe's Gift Card)

Thank You. All of You.

It's that time of year. Once again it's time to express some gratitude to everyone here. Each and everyone of you who stop by and visit make my day. This tiny little blog that start in 2016, now gets over a million page views a year (and climbing). So from the bottom of my heart, thank you so very much....

Read On →

Red Russian It’s Like a White Russian That’s Ready to Party (and Possibly Text Its Ex)

If the White Russian is your cozy winter blanket, the Red Russian is that friend who drags you out of bed and into a karaoke bar on a Tuesday night. No cream, no coffee liqueur-just vodka and cherry liqueur doing what they do best: causing chaos.

This drink is shockingly simple (just two ingredients!), surprisingly tasty, and kind of like a grown-up cherry Jolly Rancher-but with a much stronger kick. Whether you're out of Kahlúa or just craving something fruity that hits fast, this one's for you.

Fair warning: it will stain your soul and your shirt if you're not careful.

[feast_advanced_jump_to]

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Only 2 Ingredients: No shaking, no juicing, no drama.
Great for Cherry Lovers: This is basically a cocktail with a fruit-forward attitude problem.
Zero Dairy: Unlike its cousin the White Russian, this one's friendly to your lactose-intolerant friends.

What is a Red Russian?

The common thread whether you are drinking a Black Russian, a White Russian, or a Red Russian, is of course vodka. All three are vodka-based cocktails. Vodka is a spirit that originated in Russia and Poland.

Now, just because you've probably heard of a Black Russian or White Russian doesn't mean that those are the only variations.

A Blind Russian- Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, and Irish Cream. Add Cream instead and suddenly you have the more familiar Mudslide.

California Russian- Vodka is served with a shot of Triple Sec and orange.

Peri's Black Russian- Vanilla Vodka served with Coke. Yes, it's basically an alcohol-based Vanilla Coke.

Brown Russian- Ginger ale and vodka.

As far as the origins of the Red Russian are unclear. But I don't think it would be much of a stretch to assume why "red" and "Russian" were paired together. Perhaps the fruitiness might be a bar joke somewhere. But the history of this drink seems lost.

How do I make this?

Traditionally speaking, this is an easy cocktail to remember as it is a 1:1 ratio of vodka to either cherry liqueur or strawberry liqueur (or cordial which by the way is the exact same thing). This drink can be shaken or poured into a glass filled with ice.

What If I don't have cherry or strawberry liqueur?

That's fine because I have a few options for you! Cranberry juice is a good substitute or you can make your own Liqueur. It's not as intimidating as it sounds either. With a few basic ingredients and a bit of time, you can have a liqueur of just about any flavor you can dream up.

How to make your own cherry or strawberry liqueur

So here is the bonus part of this recipe. This is two recipes in one. Cherry and Strawberry Liqueur are hard to find, or perhaps you won't buy them because you know how infrequently you'll use it. And seriously, there isn't much worse than spending $20 a bottle that is just going to sit there.

Have no fear. With a few mason jars or other air-tight containers, you'll be on your way.

Step 1- Sterilize a mason jar.

A sterilized and empty mason jar on a marble surface and dark background

Step 2- Add fruit and cover with vodka or other spirit such as whiskey, rum, etc. How high should the proof of the alcohol be? High enough so you'd be willing to drink it. I went with what I have at 80 proof. I also used as many strawberries as I could fit from a frozen bag of Trader Joe's Organic Strawberries.

Showing the fruit in the sterilized mason jar and then them covered in vodka

Step 3- You'll notice a change in 24 hours, it's better to wait at least a week, if not 2 or 3. I did this same experiment with some Amarena Cherries.

Stawberry infused vodka shown at the 1 hour mark and 24 hour mark showing the darker color of the strawberry infused vodka — Notice also how the color has been transferred from the berries to the vodka itself. But a couple of weeks would be better to let it sit.

Step 4- Per E.U. guidelines, a liqueur becomes a liqueur when it contains at least 10% sugar, 15% ABV and contains only natural flavorings. Use the simple syrup to shift this from flavored vodka to liqueur. Seriously, that's the only difference. Many liqueurs contain more than 10% sugar, so taste and see what it is you like. Can it be more than 10%? Absolutely. It's all about making you the drink, YOU will enjoy. Taste and see if you like what you have. I oftentimes add quite a bit more. In fact, I often go 50/50 between simple syrup and infused vodka. My taste buds like sweet.

Last step in taking a flavored vodka and making a liqueur. This collage shows simple syrup being added. — Don't forget to taste and adjust the sugar level. Again, it should taste good to you however sweet that might be.

Creative Serving Suggestions

Serve with chocolate-covered cherries for a decadent treat.
Add a splash of cola for a cherry cola vibe with grown-up benefits.
Make a Red Russian float-yes, that's cherry vodka + cherry liqueur + a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Dangerous, but worth it.

Tips & Tricks

Make it boozier: Use a 2:1 ratio of vodka to cherry liqueur for a stiffer sip.
Go lighter: Add club soda for a cherry spritz situation.
Use fancy ice: Clear cubes or spheres make it look extra bougie.
Shaken or Stirred: This can be shaken, poured, or even stirred.

Watch me make this (30 Seconds)

Directions

Step 1- Fill the glass with good quality ice.

A clear glass full of ice on a marble surface

Step 2- Pour cherry or strawberry liqueur into a glass with an equal amount of vodka.

Two ingredients going into a glass of ice: strawberry liqueur and vodka

Step 3- Garnish with cherries, strawberries or other fruit and enjoy! And yes, apples do a great job of holding up other garnishes.

Two finished Red Russian cocktails on a dark surface with garnishes like apples and strawberries and cherries.

Final Thoughts

The Red Russian isn't here to babysit your palate. It's bold, it's boozy, and it's absurdly easy. If you're a cherry lover or someone who's run out of cream but not out of thirst-this cocktail has your name written all over it (probably in red lipstick).

Shake up your usual cocktail routine with something this simple and satisfying. Or don't shake-just pour and sip like the cocktail rebel you are.

Other Cocktails You Might Enjoy

Blood Orange Margarita

Cadillac Margarita

Malibu Bay Breeze

Print Recipe

4.86 from 7 votes

Red Russian

If you enjoy a fruity, but strong cocktail, then look no further than this Red Russian. It's a stark contrast from the traditional from the more common Black Russian and White Russian that are Kalhua based. For those who enjoy a sweet and strong cocktail, this is a perfect drink. As an added bonus, if you find you are missing an ingredient, then I have you covered so you can have THE most amazing bar setup ever.

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: red russian, red russian cocktail

Servings:

Calories: 278kcal

Author: Brenda

Ingredients

ice
2 ounces vodka
2 ounces cherry liqueur can also use strawberry liqueur

Instructions

Add ice to glass
Pour 2 ounces of vodka and 2 ounces of cherry liqueur.
Garnish and enjoy!

Video

Notes

This can be shaken or poured, but always use good quality ice when making a cocktail
If you have 24 hours, you can make any flavor liqueur that your bar at home might be missing.
If you make your own liqueur, it can be as sweet as you like.
If you are using certain store bought liqueurs, your drink might end up being clear instead. Thats ok too. Just not as pretty.

Nutrition

Trader Joe's Amba Mango Sauce

So, here is a product that looks like mango, but tastes pretty much nothing like mango. Think about how different sauerkraut tastes from cabbage. Or perhaps how different Kim Chi tastes from cabbage as well. They taste pretty darn different. All thanks to a process called fermentation.

Taste and review

If you like cabbage, there is no guarantee that you will like sauerkraut or kimchi. They are at best distant from the original flavor.

So, if you are looking for a sweet mango dipping sauce or marinade. Please look elsewhere. This tastes far more of the spices contained in this pouch than the fruit which started this sauce.

If your sweet tooth looks forward to mango, be ready for the taste of curry in this pouch.

I've never had Amba prior to tasting this. So for those of you who are new to Amba also, this is a Middle Eastern/Indian condiment. It's commonly served in dishes ranging from fish to falafel to shawarma to kababs and salads.

And I don't think everyone is going to appreciate the flavors packed in this pouch. Yes, this is actually a refrigerated sauce, so if you've been looking on the shelves for this, you might be missing out.

Now, I only tried this as a dipping sauce. However, this could potentially be used as a marinade or with veggies as well.

Mango is the base, but the predominant flavor (which isn't listed other than the general categorization of spice) was fenugreek, turmeric, and a bit of heat.

If you are looking for a taste of Middle Eastern food, this might be worth a try.

As for me, I wasn't in love with the flavors. I know some people are wild for this, but for me, this just wasn't the right pairing of flavors.

As a side now, this pouch was kind of weird to use. I just wish for a jar or something a bit less awkward and something that doesn't pour out the sauce so quickly. But that is only a minor complaint. I like fresh sauces rather than the jarred variety.

Overall

For $3.29 it might be worth a try if you aren't expecting much mango flavor and really love a bit of heat and a whole lot of spice.

Would I buy this again? Trader Joe's Amba Mango Sauce is a no from me, but if you love certain spices, then you might want to try this.

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

Product photos

The pouch of Trader Joe's Amba Mango Sauce:

An unopened package of Trader Joe's Amba Mango Sauce

Calories

Nutritional information in Trader Joe's Amba Mango Sauce

Ingredients

Ingredient list in Trader Joe's Amba Mango Sauce

How to prepare:

Description on the bag of Trader Joe's Amba Mango Sauce

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

The Bottom Line

Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.

Trader Joe's Beer Bread Mix

Here is a winter seasonal item that might not strike you as a winter seasonal item. With St. Patrick's Day around the corner, this might be a decent alternative if you hate caraway seeds and just happen to have a beer and some butter you want to get rid of.

Taste

I bring up Irish Soda Bread for a reason beyond the timing of me reviewing this product. In terms of the texture of the bread, that is pretty much what you are getting here.

This is a "quick bread" despite the name. And yes, you are making bread with what is in essence liquid bread.

However, you won't get the same taste or texture as real bread. Common quick bread would be anything made without yeast like biscuits, muffins, or scones.

But in terms of ease of making this, it doesn't get easier. It's one bowl and one pan.

Empty beer into the bowl with the mix. Mix the bread until combined. Add ¼ cup of melted butter to the top. Put into an oven for nearly an hour.

If you are wondering what beer would go best here, I'd recommend anything you would drink. Because this bread doesn't have a lot of flavor on its own and will take on the profile of whatever you decide to add to this.

Now, if you like (or can consume) cheese, I'd recommend that too. It would add some flavor beyond just the basic taste of the hops in the beer.

This came out a bit plain for my liking. The bread mix was very basic and took on the flavors of the beer that I used (in this case, Hoegaarden is what I had on hand).

It was very light and airy. The cooking directions were on point. The butter is a necessary item as it keeps the top both crisp and moist. I'd recommend using salted butter here too.

Frequently asked questions

The following are common questions with this product

Does Trader Joe's have beer bread?

Yes, they do! But this isn't available year-round. This appears on store shelves during the winter months.

Which beer is best for beer bread?

Lighter beers will make your bread more mild tasting but any beer you add will impact the flavor of the beer in the final bread.

Overall

For $2.79 it's affordable and makes a decent loaf. You might want to up the flavor before baking this, but otherwise, it made for a decent quick bread. Nothing standout, but no major flaws either.

Would I buy this again? I personally wouldn't buy Trader Joe's Beer Bread Mix again, there was nothing too special about it to warrant a repurchase. But if you can find the right adds ins, you might have a pretty quick and easy quick loaf with minimal effort.

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

Product photos

The box of Trader Joe's Beer Bread Mix:

An unopened box of Trader Joe's Beer Bread Mix

Calories

Ingredients

Directions

Description and how to prepare Trader Joe's Beer Bread Mix

If you are going to make this at home, this might be an interesting pairing suggestion with Trader Joe's Bacon Cheddar Cheese. I didn't try it with the cheese, but if I were to buy this again, I would absolutely add the cheese:

Trader Joe's Beer Bread Mix box with a beer and bacon cheddar cheese

After being cooked you get:

Trader Joe's Beer Bread Mix fully cooked with the empty box in the background

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

The Bottom Line

Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.