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:
Calories
Ingredients
Directions
After being cooked you get:
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Trader Joe's Fudgy Chocolate Quinoa Loaf and Cake Mix
Product Name: Trader Joe's Fudgy Chocolate Quinoa Loaf and Cake Mix
Product Description: A gluten free chocolate cake mix from Trader Joe's.
Price: $3.49
Currency: USD
Availability: Discontinued
Summary
Trader Joe's Fudgy Chocolate Quinoa Loaf and Cake Mix is gluten free chocolate cake.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Very moist chocolate cake
- Hard to tell that it was gluten free.
Cons
- If you make it in a loaf pan, you might need a few more minutes than the directions suggest. Mine took almost another 15.
- It also filled the loaf pan to the top, so just be aware of that.
Alek says
Also would make awesome cupcakes too! YUMMY! Can whip out a big batch and save tons of money.
becomebetty says
Hey Alek! Absolutely! This was an item I was impressed with and it came pretty darn close to what AP flour would do for a cake. Thanks as always for stopping by!
Dagmar says
Wow- you are so much better at scoping out new products than I am LOL. I haven't seen this yet. I'll have to be on the lookout. Not sure if I've asked if you've seen the avocado tzatziki dip yet? I really like it and hope that you are able to find it and review it.
becomebetty says
It's in my refrigerator. It's on the calendar for next week. I'm also hoping to find the stuffed gnocchi and watermelon jerky. But I haven't had luck finding them. Thanks for the tip. There are also 2 new hummus flavors: buffalo and avocado
Stacy Stark, Life Coach and Professional Organizer says
Thank you so much for this post. I saw this yesterday and I was curious, but not curious enough to grab it. Now I'll be getting this and looking for that bourbon cake you mentioned!
becomebetty says
Hey Stacy! Glad I could help. The Bourbon Cake might not be available at your local store. I believe that was a seasonal item. Glad I could help!
Dagmar says
I haven't been able to find the stuffed gnocchi or the watermelon jerky either but I'm still on the lookout!
Amy Goldstein (@postmodernwomyn) says
I just ran to the internet to google this product when I filled my loaf pan with the batter and it was nearly at the top. I am so glad you reviewed this and included this detail. I am looking forward to trying the finished product, I have a rather labor-intensive GF chocolate quinoa muffin recipe that I don't make anymore, am hoping this product might come close. I will have to let you know my results after it cools and my family (most likely) devours it 🙂
becomebetty says
Hey Amy! Welcome. I try to explain things as I experienced them to give people a heads up in case they too have the same concerns. I'm not gluten free, but I honestly was surprised by how close this was to regular chocolate cake. I can't wait to hear what you think. Thanks again for stopping by!
Cynthia Fetty says
Thanks so much for posting this as I bought the mix to make for my Gluten-free son. I'm confused, though, by the size of the loaf pan to be used. What did you use?
becomebetty says
Mine was baked in a Calphalon non-stick loaf pan. It measures 5 inch by 10 inch. I hope that helps.
Cynthia Fetty says
Thank you! I'm making it now and am at about 75 minutes at 350 and it's still not done. How long was it for you?
becomebetty says
It was right around 75 minutes
Missy says
We're at 5400 altitude..
What adjustments pls...
becomebetty says
Hi Missy! I'm close to sea level, but I found this. It might help out: http://dish.allrecipes.com/high-altitude-cake-baking/
sandra says
HI. Would this work as a layer cake? I have a set of 5 small cake pans that make a cute layered cake. I'd love to use this mix if you think it would work.
becomebetty says
Hey Sandra! I think you can do a layer cake. But because the edge's texture seems a touch off to me, you might want to cover this cake in something. How many layers were you thinking? I think 2-3 layers would work, just adjust the cook time. Or if you want to play it safe, make a regular sized cake and slice in half (or thirds). I hope that helps!
California Crazy Mom says
Thank for the great review!!!! Our TJs did not have this but I requested it and it was on an end-cap within days. I bought three and will try it!! Your feedback and expectation setting is very helpful!!!
becomebetty says
Hope you enjoy it! Check back with your thoughts. I'd love to hear them.