Mochi. There isn't really quite much that is like it. It's one of those fun things to have people try. It's quite polarizing too. Either you'll love it or you'll hate it. There doesn't seem to be much middle ground when it comes to this sweet confection and now Trader Joe's Mochi Cake Mix is available to those who want to make it themselves.
Taste
On this blog, I've tried other ice cream mochi. Quite honestly, I didn't love it. I liked the ice cream, but that exterior just did not do it for me.
So when this hit shelves, I figured I would give it a go and see if I would like it any more than the ice cream.
Now, certain things are constant here. Mochi has its own unique texture. It's kinda chewy and spongy at the same time. It's hard to describe unless you've bitten into it.
At work, we take the kids to visit Chinatown and I always pick up a few snacks that would otherwise be unfamiliar to them and mochi is one of the items I'll pick up.
The kid's reactions tell the same story as adults: you love it or you hate it. There isn't much in between. Every now and again you'll get the kid who bites into it who just doesn't know what to make of it.
This cake is quite sweet, so don't say I didn't warn you. One slice contains 29 grams of sugar. But it is also buttery and coconut flavored.
It only requires a few simple ingredients: water, eggs, and butter. Oh and an 8x8 square pan. Don't have one of those? Then a 9-inch round will do the job just fine. When you make this you are looking at nearly an hour from start to finish.
This was very different from the ice cream mochi. Some aspects of the texture were there, but this was a more enjoyable cake. I enjoyed this far more than I did the ice cream mochi or any other store-bought mochi for that matter.
Overall
If you are gluten-free, then this is worth a try. But this is probably going to be a split decision. The mochi lovers are going to like this. If you hate mochi, then skip this. As for me, I liked Mochi a bit more after trying this, but I didn't adore it enough to repurchase it. But I know there will be others out there who will repurchase this.
For $3.99 this is a super simple cake to make. It's gluten-free. It has a good flavor to it. The texture is the factor that not everyone is going to fawn over.
If you love this it is available at Trader Joe's or 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 Mochi Cake Mix:
The nutritional information and the ingredients:
How to prepare:
After being cooked you get:
A closer look at each slice for the texture:
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 Mochi Cake mix
Product Name: Trader Joe's Mochi Cake Mix
Product Description: Trader Joe's Mochi Cake Mix is a gluten free treat if you like the texture of Mochi.
Price: $3.99
Currency: USD
Availability: LimitedAvailability
Summary
Trader Joe's Mochi Cake Mix is easy at home mochi mix to make that classic squishy, spongy textured cake. If you really like Mochi in General, I'd say this is a ⅘. I liked it more that I tried it independent of ice cream.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Makes a solid mochi cake
- If you like mochi in general, you'll probably enjoy this cake.
Cons
- Polarizing item in terms of texture
- You'll love it or hate it.
Alek says
Im thinking of layering it with ice cream.
becomebetty says
Hey Alek! You can totally make your own ice cream mochi with this! Thanks as always for stopping by!
judilyn says
Looks like an interesting texture. Kind of like dry pudding? We're on a tapioca kick right now, so I am experimenting with all flavors and variations that I can think of. Is Mochi a flavor or a texture?
Virtual hugs,
Judie
Beth says
It looks like a small amount of cake for a lot of calories and sugar. I think I'd enjoy a scoop of cookie butter ice cream or hedgehog cookies more. I bought their Georgia pecan cookies this weekend and they're delicious. So many treats at Trader Joe's!
Grubbing With Jess says
I love mochi and eyed this while picking up the Jerk Plantain Chips (still need to try those), but resisted the urge to buy it. I'm definitely reconsidering and regretting that decision now...
becomebetty says
Hey! If you are a mochi fan it is pretty good. I'd personally reach for the Jerk Plantain Chips over this, but that is because I'm not 100% a fan of mochi's unique texture. I'd love to hear what you think of it when you get to try them! Thanks again for stopping by!
Grubbing With Jess says
Will do!! Loved the plantain chips by the way. Try the sprout's picante...I have a feeling you may like those if you liked these!!
Dean says
I think I found their inspiration for the mochi cake mix. Go to http://www.hawaiisbesthawaiianhaupia.com and check out their butter mochi mix. Their butter mochi mix has been around for 5 or 6 years. Looks almost exact ingredients, directions, 15 oz mix, 1 cup water, 2 eggs, 4 tablespoons salted butter, 8x8 pan, 350 degrees. Wow!
becomebetty says
Hey Dean! Pretty darn similar! Trader Joe's is known for white labeling certain products, so it wouldn't surprise me, but that cake mix is nearly $8, so Trader Joe's is really a much better bargain. Thanks so very much for sharing this!
Dean says
Hi Betty, I know Hawaii's Best Hawaiian Haupia, a very small family owned business in Hawaii, and no white label agreement with them. I guess you still need to give Trader Joe's the benefit of doubt, and maybe they made an agreement with another mochi cake mix company. I was just surprised how close the recipe is to Hawaii's Best Hawaiian Haupia's Butter Mochi Mix, down to the 15 oz mix, ingredients, and directions. Even how Their directions say to bake until golden brown and how the mochi should start pulling away from the sides of the pan. Oh, well, I can go on and on, and should stop now lol. Thanks again!
Sophie says
I have to say that I am so happy to see a balanced review of this product. I recently tried it to see if it was worth the hype, and was disappointed to find that the texture is extremely off-putting. The chewy and moist texture makes the cake feel as though it isn't fully cooked (even though I followed the directions to the LETTER). After some browsing online to see if anyone shared my concerns, I was APPALLED to find such unwavering support for this product. Thank you for portraying this cake as it truly is- NOT something that will please a crowd.
becomebetty says
Hey Sophie! I get frustrated too when I read blogs and everything is daisies and roses when reviewing things, so I owe it to people to say the way it is. Since I've had other people try mochi I've seen the love/hate relationship there, so it is only fair to bring that up. Thanks so very much for your kind words and for taking the time out of your day to stop by and share!
Lily says
This cake really put me through it. I was in my bag already and I was like you know what im finna just bake a cake rn bc everyone be bugging and im not in the mood. So I was chillin, baking this mfer, and then I take this bitch out and its wet like it wasn’t baked, I was like bro what? So then I went online to see what people were saying about it and turns out people stan this bitch! And for why? Shes musty! This texture is really not the wave and coconut is out so like who is for? Girl, TJ is wack rn.
Dean says
Aloha Brenda, I just made Trader Joe's Mochi Cake Mix. It's totally different compared to Hawaii's Best Hawaiian Haupia's Butter Mochi Cake Mix. Trader Joe's mix is very dense and sticky and Hawaii's Best is fluffy, cake like, but still chewy like mochi. I guess they have perfected their cake mix to be just like their family recipe. The Trader Joe's Mochi Cake Mix was very similar to Hawaii's Best Butter Mochi Mix. If you can direct me to your mailing address, I'd like to mail you samples of Hawaii's Best Mochi Cake mixes for your feedback and review. They also have a Brownie Mochi Cake Mix that's so awesome! Mahalo, Dean
Joan says
The mochi cake mix is like eating rubber & awful taste or chewy under baked cake...What a waste of money..
becomebetty says
Hey Joan! I figured this one was not for everyone. It's a love it/hate it type of texture. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!