Behold a pretty normal and basic product: the yellow box cake mix. And I'll be honest, maybe I'm a little weird but I enjoy yellow cake from a box more than the most cake I can buy from a bakery. And truth be told, cake mix can often be had on sale for 4/$5.
Review
This yellow cake mix isn't labeled as being organic and it is priced higher than your basic Duncan Hines or Pillsbury mix. Usually, I keep a few boxes on my pantry shelves to have on hand as a birthday cake. But today I made myself cupcakes.
Trader Joe's Yellow Cake and Baking Mix is similar to a muffin mix as you handle the wet ingredients separately from the dry. In this case, you are mixing all of your wet ingredients together: eggs, melted butter, and milk. Then you are adding your cake mix and mix until smooth.
As far as the cook times go, I only did one mix, but the time stated for cupcakes was spot on.
The key here is the taste. This made for a nice cupcake. Adding butter instead of oil adds a nicer flavor, but it can be subbed out if you need this to be more dairy-free. The cupcakes were nice and tender but seemed a touch denser than Pillsbury or Duncan Hines.
In terms of cupcakes, this seemed like it would yield about 12-14 cupcakes altogether, so plan accordingly.
The key here is that it isn't organic and seems to be comparable in quality to other major brands, so my biggest hangup here is the price. This product is priced higher than what you can get on sale at the mass market grocery store.
But if Trader Joe's is the only place you shop for your groceries then this is a solid item to reach for if you need yellow cake.
Directions
In case you threw out the box or need visual directions here you go:
So in other words, get all your liquid ingredients mixed together. Then add your mix. Once smooth prepare according to the box.
Packaging
The packaging is standard for a cake mix. It comes in a box. Within that box, there is a single plastic bag.
Other mixes
Trader Joe's Yellow Cake and Baking Mix is new. But if you are in the mood to bake there are a number of other cake mixes that have appeared on shelves. Many are seasonal.
- Blood Orange Cake Mix with Icing (seasonal)
- Bourbon Cake Mix (seasonal)
- Chocolate Mochi Cake Mix (seasonal)
- Chocolate Peppermint Loaf and Baking Mix (winter seasonal)
- Cinnamon Crumb Cake Mix
- Fudgy Chocolate Quinoa Loaf and Cake Mix
- Mochi Cake Mix (seasonal)
- Meyer Lemon Cake Mix with Lemon Icing (seasonal)
- Spring Cake Mix (seasonal)
- Vanilla Cake Mix
And of course what cake wouldn't be complete without Trader Joe's Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Mix. And no, Trader Joe's does not currently sell pre-made frosting.
Overall
Would I buy this again? Trader Joe's Yellow Cake and Baking Mix gets a conditional maybe from me. My biggest sticking point is that it is priced higher than other yellow cake mixes. If it were organic then I could justify it, but just for yellow cake mix, I'll probably stick to my regular brands.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Product photos
The box of Trader Joe's Yellow Cake and Baking Mix:
The nutritional information and the ingredient list:
Here are the ingredients you'll need and the instructions along with cooking times:
After being cooked you get:
And frosted cupcakes and the bite shot:
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
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Trader Joe's Yellow Cake and Baking Mix
Product Name: Trader Joe's Yellow Cake and Baking Mix
Product Description: Trader Joe's Yellow Cake and Baking Mix is a standard cake mix.
Price: $2.99
Summary
Trader Joe's Yellow Cake and Baking Mix is new and goes together easily.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Easy mix
- Directions are spot on
- Yields a tasty end result
Cons
- Priced higher without being organic
400 degrees burned the bottom of the cupcakes. I used a nonsticck muffin pan without paper
Thanks for sharing Bob!
I decided to make a fancy cake for a dinner party and decorate it with fresh cream and strawberries like an English Victoria sponge. I had never used a Trader Joe’s mix before but thought it would be richer with the butter and milk. I used non stick 9 inch round pans and sprayed them with Pam. The cake stuck so badly I couldn’t use it. I had to improvise and make a trifle with the smooshed cake, brandy, strawberries and cream!! Not happy! This has never happened with Betty Crocker or other regular cake mixes.
Be warned!!!
Thanks for sharing Janet!