Trader Joe's knows how to do citrus, and anyone who has ever baked their Meyer Lemon Cake Mix knows it has a loyal fan base for a reason. So when they released the seasonal Blood Orange Cake Mix with Icing, I was excited to see if this one would follow in the same bright, citrusy footsteps. A boxed mix is one of the easiest ways to get a reliable loaf without breaking out the precision tools, and citrus cakes almost always feel like a little burst of sunshine during the winter months.
This mix promises a blood orange loaf with a matching icing, and the aroma alone hits you the moment you mix the batter.
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Review
rader Joe's Blood Orange Cake Mix with Icing comes with two separate packets: a cake mix and a powdered icing mix. Everything is clearly labeled, although the print is small, so you may want to take a beat to double check which is which.
To make the loaf, you only need butter, eggs, and water. As soon as the liquid hits the bowl, the scent of blood orange fills the kitchen. It is strong in the best way, bright, citrusy, and unmistakable.
The batter comes together easily and does not require any special equipment. A bowl, a beater, and a loaf pan are all you need. The directions are accurate, but like most quick breads, your bake time will depend on your oven. Mine was not done at the forty five minute mark and needed close to fifty five minutes before a toothpick came out clean.
What comes out of the oven is a dense, pound cake style loaf. This is not a light, fluffy cake. It is rich, tight crumbed, slightly buttery, and leans heavily on the blood orange flavor. The taste is pleasant, subtly sweet, and has that slight grapefruit note that blood oranges are known for. The citrus is strong without being bitter, which makes it a nice winter loaf.
The icing is where things get interesting. Mixed with softened butter and just a small amount of water, it becomes a thicker frosting style icing with an even stronger blood orange punch. The flavor is bright and sweet, and it elevates the loaf. But the icing can be finicky. Add too much water and it separates or becomes thin and runny. Add the water slowly and stop before it looks too loose. Once you overdo it, you cannot take it back.
Texture wise, the icing is smooth and creamy and pairs well with the dense loaf. A light drizzle turns the loaf into a more polished dessert, while a thicker spread gives it a bakery style finish.
Overall, the cake was good. It baked correctly, tasted like blood orange, and offered a pleasant citrus twist without being too sweet. But it did not wow us. It was enjoyable, and every slice was eaten, but it did not reach "must buy again" status the way the Meyer Lemon version has.
For three dollars and sixty nine cents, it is a fun seasonal change of pace, but not something I would reach for year after year.
Making the cake
The cake mix only requires a few ingredients: butter, water, and eggs. Once the liquid got added to the smell of the blood orange came right through.
No major kitchen equipment is really needed other than a mixing bowl, a beater, and a loaf pan. Yes, you'll need a cake tester so even a toothpick would work here.
Directions were pretty much accurate but you'll want to test the cake before removing it from the oven.
I checked at 45 minutes and it still needed additional time. Mine ended up needing closer to 55 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
- Turn leftover slices into a citrus trifle
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
- Pair with afternoon tea or coffee
- Add candied orange peel on top for texture
- Drizzle with dark chocolate for a winter dessert
FAQs about Trader Joe's Blood Orange Cake Mix
The folowing are commonly asked questions about this product:
Yes, it has a strong citrus flavor with a slight grapefruit note typical of blood oranges.
It bakes into a dense pound cake style loaf.
Three dollars and sixty nine cents per box.
Yes. It typically appears during the winter citrus season and may not return every year.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe's Blood Orange Cake Mix with Icing is a solid seasonal offering that delivers a bright citrus flavor and an easy baking experience. The loaf is dense and satisfying, the icing adds a nice punch of extra sweetness, and the whole house fills with a lovely orange aroma. It is a fun change from the usual boxed mixes and a good addition if you love citrus desserts. While it did not become a new favorite for me, it is worth trying at least once if you want something different from the regular lineup.
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Trader Joe's Blood Orange Cake Mix with Icing
Product Name: Trader Joe's Blood Orange Cake Mix with Icing
Product Description: Trader Joe's Blood Orange Cake Mix with Icing is an easy mix that has solid citrus flavor. This is a seasonal item.
Price: $3.69
Currency: USD
Availability: LimitedAvailability
Summary
Trader Joe's Blood Orange Cake Mix with Icing is new and a nice addition to the other baking mixes already on shelves.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Strong citrus flavor real blood orange notes
- Easy to make no special equipment required
- Comes with icing mix adds extra flavor
- Good value budget friendly seasonal item
- Pleasant pound cake texture dense but enjoyable
Cons
- Icing is finicky can separate if water is added too quickly
- Dense loaf not for people who prefer light cakes
- Flavor is good but not unforgettable not a repeat purchase for me
- Small print on packets easy to mix up if you are rushing
alek says
That sounds so YUMMY! Maybe crisp it up and then use for French Toast?
Robin says
I have been reading that others are using orange juice instead of water. Do you think your review would have differed a little if you used OJ instead of the water?
becomebetty says
Completely possible. The end result would be more orange flavored but sweeter. I review it as it to make sure directions work and how it tastes out of the box. I hope that helps Robin.
Krista says
Hi! I made this cake yesterday. It was good, but nothing that I'll crave to make again.
becomebetty says
Thanks for sharing Krista!
Lita M Poppenberg says
I found it off putting. the test for me is how does the batter taste.. And Tang seemed omnipresent .. I did use orange juice and zest and vanilla extract. the texture was great petty to look at.. BUT....
Lita M Poppenberg says
WHOOPS pretty to look at
Savannah says
I wish there were directions in how to make them into cupcakes: I feel I would enjoy it better as a cupcake/muffin type of deal: