Hi Moms -
I'm going to make cupcakes for my son's birthday party, and was wondering what folks' opinions are about cake mixes? Which ones do you like? Which ones should I stay away from? Thanks!
normally I prefer Duncan Hines.
I sub applesauce for the oil in all recipes, except the white mix. The chocolate cake mix is yummm with it!
I also do a variation on German Chocolate.....I use either the spice cake or the carrot cake mix, sub the applesauce for the oil. In btwn the layers, I add a thick chocolate frosting (usually the Hershey's recipe). Then I make a homemade version of the German Choc frosting. It's a hit everytime!
I've found them all equally serviceable... I just substitute corn oil for the veggie oil they call for (keeps them moist a lot longer... like a week longer... as well as adds a depth of flavor. Chocolates get richer, vanillas more 'vanilan-y', etc. As well as a subtle texture change to more silky).
Duncan hines moist deluxe is the best. hands down in my opinion. I like the classic yellow cake (not the yellow butter cake) with chocolate icing. Make sure you beat it for the specified amount of time and bake it the MINIMUM cook time. It will be SO moist and delicious. Promise.
I decorate cakes a lot and prefer Duncan Hines to the others. They are moister and they bake flat, which makes decorating easier. Sometimes I prefer a cake that is rounded on top and I often want rounded top cupcakes. In those instances, I use Betty Crocker mixes and when I can't get a flavor I want in Duncan Hines.
I often make dream cakes. People are always asking me for my cake recipe. They're always shocked when they find out I use a mix.
Dream Cake
Take those three instants (mixes, that is) for a great cake!
1 box Duncan Hines Cake Mix
1 envelope Dream Whip
1 small box Cook n Serve Pudding Mix
4 large eggs, slightly beaten
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 cup water
Beat all ingredients in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed just to moisten, scraping sides of bowl often. Beat on medium speed 4 minutes. Pour into 2 well-greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans (at least 1-1/2 inches deep).
Bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely on wire racks. Frost as desired.
* you can use other size/shape pans. Adjust cooking time accordingly. (consult cake mix box)
I'm a Duncan Hines fan, but Pillsbury Funfetti mix and frosting is great, and kids love it! I just made gummy worm cupcakes using it last weekend for my son's birthday, and they were a huge hit!
Not sure about which cake mix is best but I wanted to give you this recipe, it's doctoring a cake mix with jello (it suggests a certain brand). I've made it with lime and orange, you can use any flavor you want. It comes out reaallly good!
http://www.5dollardinners.com/2011/03/lime-cake.html?utm_...
The 2nd top rated restaurant in town uses Duncan Heinz. I saw the boxes while touring the kitchen.
I come from a family of cake lovers. We have done cake tests in the past and everyone agrees that Duncan Hines is the best by far! Chocolate, Classic Yellow and Marble are all delicious! They make the best frosting too (classic chocolate is the best).
YUM!
Now I want cake.
I make cakes for family and friends.And I only use duncan hines or pillsbury (which ever one's on sale at the time.) And if you do chocolate use the devil's food.I was told that by a lady that made cakes for use and it's by far the best of the chocolate cakes! Good luck,I am sure he will love whatever you decide to go with!
i honestly can't tell the difference between the Big 3 (duncan hines, betty crocker and pillsbury.) but i'm finding more and more as time goes on that there isn't a frosting mix that doesn't taste packaged to me. i love the convenience of boxed cake mix, but i still make my own icing unless i'm very pressed for time.
khairete
S.
Betty Crocker is my fave, then Pillsbury, then Duncan Hines. I doctor my recipes up to be more of a bakery quality, check out the Cake Mix Doctor site for recipes:
http://www.cakemixdoctor.com/books/cupcakes-from-the-cake...
Some of the best cupcakes I've ever made and people love came from her book:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Cupcakes/Anne-Byrn/e/978...
If you have a Trader Joe's near you, I recommend their bourbon vanilla mix. I've gotten RAVE reviews when I've made that with homemade icing (home made icing involves beating confectioner's sugar and butter together with a touch of salt and some vanilla (and/or cocoa). Making a from-scratch cake is also easy, but I do like the TJs mix.
