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This boxed cake mix is a cut above the rest, as far as the pros are concerned.
Key Takeaways
- Professional chefs occasionally rely on boxed cake mixes as smart, time-saving shortcuts that still deliver consistent, delicious results.
- When choosing a mix, chefs recommend looking for minimal, recognizable ingredients and avoiding options that rely solely on adding water, which can lack flavor and texture.
- All three chefs agree that King Arthur Baking Company cake mixes stand out for their high-quality ingredients, reliable performance, and great taste—including delicious gluten-free options.
When it comes to baking, there’s no shame in taking shortcuts. In fact, many of the professionals proudly do it.
Unlike over-processed foods, many baking mixes are a quick, pre-measured way to whip up a treat quickly, or in bulk, with all of the necessary dry ingredients pre-portioned and in the right amounts. This saves time measuring, and allows the chef or home baker to use their time and creativity in adding flavors to the cake, decorating it, or otherwise making it their own.
For busy chefs, cake mix can be a savior to create bases for desserts, via sheet cakes, cupcakes, or other treats that are guaranteed to bake up delicious and consistently. We spoke to three chefs who all agreed that one boxed cake mix is a cut about the rest. Keep reading to discover the boxed cake mix culinary professionals love!
What to Look for When Buying Cake Mix
If you’ve ever taken a stroll down the baking aisle at your local supermarket, you know there are dozens of boxed cake mixes to choose from, which can make picking just one feel a tad overwhelming. So, when you’re looking for a cake mix, it is best to keep a few things in mind. For example, you want to look for a mix with minimal ingredients, such as flour and baking powder. Additionally, the best quality cake mixes are made without artificial colors of flavors, as well as other ingredients you can’t pronounce.
Meet Our Expert
- William Milian, chef of Caña Restaurant and Lounge in Miami, Florida
- Joe Nierstedt, chef of Katsubo in Charleston, South Carolina
- Adam Streeter, executive chef of Smash at Serve at Pickleball Heaven in Medford, New York
Another thing to look out for is cake mixes that only require you to add water. While these cake mixes are very easy to prepare, they often lack the depth of flavor and texture you’ll find in a great cake—made from a box or not.
The Best Boxed Cake Mix, According to Chefs
All three chefs we spoke to named King Arthur Cake Mixes as their boxed mix of choice.
“I like using King Arthur, because the quality is consistent and the product performs the same every time,” says chef William Milian of Caña Restaurant and Lounge in Miami, Florida. “The quality is super solid and reliable. It makes our job easier, and it allows us to focus on execution and quality.”
Based in Norwich, Vermont, King Arthur Baking Company is a worker-owned brand known for flours, mixes, and baking supplies. The King Arthur Baking Company cake mix costs $8.95 for a 22-oz box that makes one cake or 24 cupcakes, and comes in flavors including chocolate, golden yellow, lemon buttermilk, gingerbread, and more.
“As a professional chef, King Arthur cake mixes are by far my favorite because of their quality ingredients that are non-GMO, don’t include artificial colors or flavors, and are preservative-free,” says Adam Streeter, executive chef of Smash at Serve at Pickleball Heaven in Medford, New York. “Whether I’m baking in my professional or home kitchen, I can always trust that King Arthur will give me consistently delicious results, because of the quality ingredients that they use.”
Gluten-free bakers can also take advantage of the many gluten-less mixes, which are also $8.95 per 22-oz box and come in flavors including confetti, golden yellow, and chocolate. King Arthur also sells gluten-free single-serve salted caramel chocolate cake cups to bake in the microwave.
“Honestly, I don’t have a super sophisticated take on boxed cake mix,” adds chef Joe Nierstedt of Katsubo in Charleston, South Carolina. “Most of the time, it’s whatever box the kids grab off the shelf — if they’re excited to make it, that’s the win. If I am picking one myself, it’d be King Arthur Baking’s Gluten-Free Classic Yellow Cake Mix. It’s consistent and actually tastes like cake, which isn’t always the case with gluten-free mixes.”
King Arthur Baking Company Cake Mix is sold directly on the King Arthur website, at big box stores, and in bulk packages at restaurant suppliers.
Read the original article on Real Simple
