Everyone likes to have a baking backup plan. Sometimes that’s a frozen pie in the back of the freezer, a tube of cookie dough in the fridge or even just a box of cake mix in the cupboard. These shortcuts can be a huge help when you need dessert in a hurry. But what mixes are you stocking in your pantry? Is that white cake mix going to give you the light yet moist dessert you’re craving?
Wonder no more! Our Test Kitchen team tested the most popular brands of cake mix and found which options are worth buying.
How We Found the Best Cake Mixes
To get the answer to our question what is the best cake mix?, our Test Kitchen staff bought every brand of white cake mix they could find. Each cake was baked up according to the package instructions and sampled in a blind test. No brands attached to the samples, no add-ins, no frosting (that one was hard!). Our team kept these criteria in mind as they sampled:
- Flavor: How did the cake taste? Did it have the perfect vanilla flavor? How does the cake taste on its own? Is it a good canvas for additional ingredients?
- Texture: Was the cake moist? Dense? Light and airy? Dry? Crumbly?
- Appearance: How did the cake look? Was it white in color? Was it domed or flat when baked?
Our Test Kitchen-Preferred White Cake Mix Brands
Forkful after forkful of cake, a few brands stood out to our Test Kitchen sampling crew. These are the brands we recommend adding to your grocery order.
Best Vanilla Flavor: Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Mix
When it comes to vanilla flavor, Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Mix gets it just right. This snowy white cake was delicate and light with just the right amount of vanilla flavor. It was pleasantly present but not overpowering. And it tasted of real vanilla, not the artificial stuff (our Test Kitchen is particular!). This airy cake was moist and a joy to sample—definitely a must-buy if you need a cake in a hurry.
Moistest Cake: Pillsbury White Premium Cake Mix
If there’s one thing any baker and sweet tooth loathes it’s a dry cake. With Pillsbury White Premium Cake Mix, you don’t need to worry about baking a dry cake for a second. Pillsbury produced a moist, spongy cake with a slightly denser texture. The color was a gorgeous pure white—a great canvas for colored frostings or even flavorings like in these poke cake recipes.
Best Budget Option: Great Value White Cake Mix
Baking on a budget? No problem! Great Value White Cake Mix from Walmart costs just 88 cents and is darn tasty. This cake baked up nice and light—it definitely had some great lift! The vanilla flavor, in this case, was subtle but not artificial, and the texture was moist with a stable crumb. You could definitely get away with carving this cake up without much mess, like in this festive Peter Rabbit Cake.
What to Make with White Cake Mix
When you’re in a pinch, white cake mix is just what you need to make a quick cake or batch of cupcakes. But you can easily add a little panache to your cake mix with some easy recipes. Grab a box of pistachio pudding mix and a few spices and you can make an easy-peasy pistachio quick bread or a bottle of root beer for a fun root beer float cake. These recipes are just the start. We’ve got plenty more tasty inspiration for you:
Spumoni Torte
I made up this recipe to end a big Italian Christmas Eve dinner. I thought it would be nice and light after a heavy meal. The cake frosts the best when it's been stored in the freezer for a day. —Lynne Ogg, East Bethel, Minnesota
Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes
My granddaughter Sydney has acquired a love of baking. While I was visiting her in Tampa, we made these light, fluffy cupcakes. She's a natural—these turned out fantastic! —Lonnie Hartstack, Clarinda, Iowa
Pistachio Quick Bread
I love making many of these special loaves to give away for the holidays. They also freeze well so it is easy to pull out for unexpected guests. —Judy Fischer, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Pina Colada Tube Cake
We named this a “pina colada” cake because it has coconut, pineapple and rum. It’s a soothing finish at the end of a big spread. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
Shortcut Peppermint Layer Cake
When I first made this cake it was snowing outside, the entire family was home, and we enjoyed it all together. A perfectly pretty holiday cake for a perfect holiday moment! Be sure to measure the peppermint extract carefully—it's strong, and a little bit goes a very long way. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California
Root Beer Float Cake
I add root beer to both the cake batter and fluffy frosting of this summery dessert to get that great root beer float taste. Serve this moist cake to a bunch of hungry kids and watch it disappear! —Kat Thompson, Prineville, Oregon
Cranberry Layer Cake
I adapted a Bundt cake recipe to create this layer cake. Cranberries, walnuts and homemade frosting make it taste so delicious that you'd never guess it starts with a convenient cake mix. —Sandy Burkett, Galena, Ohio
Pear Bundt Cake
Next time you make cake from a mix, try my easy and delicious recipe. The pears and syrup add sweet flavor and prevent the cake from drying out. And since there's no oil added to the batter, this tender fall-perfect cake is surprisingly low in fat. —Veronica Ross, Columbia Heights, Minnesota
Pistachio and Coconut Cake
This coconut cake is good any time of the year, but the color is perfect for St. Patrick's Day. The secret is adding instant pistachio pudding mix into the cake mix and the frosting. —Dora May Meredith, Rockford, Illinois
Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Bars
If you're looking for something other than pumpkin, these sweet potato bars are a yummy alternative. Make them ahead—they're even better refrigerated overnight. —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
Cherry Dream Cake
I serve this cherry cake for holidays because it's so festive and easy. No one will know your secret is adding a package of cherry gelatin to a boxed cake mix! —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
Birthday Cake Pancakes
I try to make special foods for my kids, especially on their birthdays. To transform plain ol' pancake mix, I add cake mix and sprinkles. Frosting closes the deal. —Dina Crowell, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Coconut Cream Cake
Have the urge to splurge? Try Deborah Protzman's moist and mouthwatering cake. "No one who's ever eaten a piece can believe it's lower in fat"—Deborah Protzman, Bloomington, Illinois.
Cookies-and-Cream Cake
If you like cookies-and-cream ice cream, you'll love this cake. Chocolate sandwich cookies are mixed into the batter and pressed into the sweet and creamy frosting for a fun look. —Pat Habiger, Spearville, Kansas
Raspberry Cake
Jazz up plain cake with raspberry gelatin and frozen berries. Spread with a light, fruity whipped topping, the festive results make a cool and refreshing dessert. —Marion Anderson, Dalton, Minnesota
Rainbow Cake with Clouds
Some cakes stand on their own without icing. For this bright Rainbow Cake, use a little whipped cream to make fluffy clouds. —Janet Tigchelaar, Jerseyville, Ontario
Eggnog Tres Leches Cake
When the holidays roll around, my family eagerly anticipates sampling this cake. Its rich eggnog flavor is delightful. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois
Sweet Potato Cranberry Cake
This convenient recipe uses items you have in your pantry, like sweet potatoes, cranberries, coconut and chocolate chips. Everyone will enjoy this delicious dessert! —Amie Valpone, New York, New YorkThe post The Best White Cake Mixes to Fill Your Pantry, According to Experts appeared first on Taste of Home.
Lisa Kaminski