The $5 Boxed Cake Mix That’s Even Better Than Homemade (I Always Make It for Birthdays!)
As a baker I know fully well just how delicious a rich, homemade chocolate cake is (a teaspoon of instant espresso is key to unlocking all that delicious chocolatey flavor). As an also very busy person, I totally understand how essential a store-bought chocolate cake mix can be. I rely on it for last-minute birthday celebrations, dinner parties, and days that I just need a slice of cake (happens more often than you think!).
Not all chocolate cake mix is made the same. In fact, my former-favorite has changed so much over the years thanks, in part, to shrinking package sizes and swapping ingredients. So I did what any cake-loving human would do. I found a new ol’ reliable: Bob’s Red Mill Chocolate Cake Mix. It yields a consistently moist, chocolatey cake that’s (almost) as good as the homemade stuff.
What’s So Great About Bob’s Red Mill Chocolate Cake?
The world of boxed cake mix has evolved, and not just for the better. You’ve probably noticed some popular cake mixes are nearly a third smaller (from around 18 ounces to just 13), and the ingredients aren’t as high-quality as you remember. That’s absolutely not the case with Bob’s Red Mill Chocolate Cake Mix.
The pouched mix is the ultimate example of low effort, high reward. With minimal ingredients — just the boxed mix, three eggs, 3/4 cup water, and 1/3 cup oil or butter (I always go with butter!) — you can create a cake that’s as soft as a cloud and decadently rich in chocolate flavor. It’s honestly on par with the best chocolate cakes I’ve had from top restaurants and bakeries where I live in New York City. (Bob’s also makes some shockingly good brownie mix.)
I’ve baked countless chocolate birthday cakes over the years for friends and family. Once, during a time-crunch, I used Bob’s Red Mill Chocolate Cake Mix. When my friends raved about it, I felt a bit defeated at first — like, could it really be that good? But soon after, I felt a sense of pride in my new secret shortcut.
It was the perfect balance of convenience and quality, and now I always keep a pouch on hand for those moments when I want a practically effortless (but very impressive) dessert. It’s magic!
What’s the Best Way to Bob’s Red Mill Chocolate Cake Mix?
The cake mix is delicious as is, but, like with most things, it’s fun to make it your own. I add a teaspoon of Café Bustelo Instant Espresso to the mix to really make the chocolatey notes sing. I also dress it up with a homemade buttercream to give it a bit more of a homemade feel.
Buy: Bob’s Red Mill Chocolate Cake Mix, $4.59 for 15.5 ounces at Instacart
This article originally published on The Kitchn. See it there: The $5 Boxed Cake Mix That’s Even Better Than Homemade (I Always Make It for Birthdays!)