Quick guide to boxed yellow cake mix magic—made friendly.
America’s Test Kitchen set out to answer a cheerful pantry question: which boxed yellow cake mixes are genuinely worth keeping on the shelf? In a sunny taste test hosted with baker-entrepreneur Joanne Chang, the ATK reviews team sampled ten popular mixes to judge texture, moistness, buttery/vanilla flavor and that nostalgic boxed-cake je ne sais quoi. This article distills their findings so home bakers can shop smarter for fast cakes that still taste like a celebration. cooking, recipes, bon apetit
Key takeaways
- Not all yellow mixes are the same: “yellow” mixes typically call for oil, while “butter” mixes ask for butter (or butter + oil).
- Dough conditioners and emulsifiers in many mixes help give boxed cakes loft and a stable crumb—useful when eggs and butter aren’t whipped like in most homemade cakes.
- Pillsbury Moist Supreme Yellow won the panel’s hearts for its classic, nostalgic crumb and go-back-for-another-bite appeal.
- Sleeper hit: Great Value (Walmart) delivered nostalgic flavor at a bargain price.
- When time is short, the right box mix can still give you a satisfying cake experience. cooking, recipes, bon apetit
How the taste test worked
The tasting panel baked ten boxed mixes under consistent conditions and evaluated color, crumb, moistness, flavor (butter vs. vanilla vs. artificial notes), and overall appeal. Joanne Chang brought professional pastry perspective—calling out crumb size (open vs. fine), how a cake holds moisture over time, and whether a boxed cake can read “real” or obviously artificial.
Yellow vs. Butter mixes
One clear distinction emerged: mixes labeled “yellow” usually rely on vegetable oil and aim for sustained moistness at room temperature. “Butter” mixes ask the baker to add butter and often read richer—sometimes at the cost of shelf-stability. The panel noted that oil-based recipes tend to feel more tender and moist at room temp, while butter-based ones offer a genuine buttery note.
Highlights from the lineup (quick notes)
- Pillsbury Moist Supreme Yellow — Winner: Classic birthday-cake aroma, velvety yet airy crumb; many said they could eat a whole pan. cooking, recipes, bon apetit
- Great Value Deluxe Moist Yellow (Walmart) — Surprise runner-up: nostalgic boxed-cake flavor at an unbeatable price.
- Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow — High on nostalgia with a melt-in-the-mouth texture.
- Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist Classic Yellow — Tall, light, very vanilla-forward; generally appealing.
- Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist Butter Golden — Fluffy with sugar-cookie-like sweetness; solid middle performer.
- Betty Crocker Butter Recipe — Decent, but described as muted and a bit dry by some tasters.
- Pillsbury Moist Supreme Golden Butter — Noticeable “movie-theater-butter” flavor (artificial) that split opinion.
- King Arthur Golden Yellow — Most “natural” tasting; fine crumb but ran dry for some palates; recommended with reservations.
- 365 by Whole Foods Market — Too dense and chewy for this panel; lacked the emulsifiers that help boxed mixes rise and stay tender.
- Bob’s Red Mill Classic Yellow — Lowest-ranked: pale, short, and pancake-like; did not rise as much as others.
How to pick the box for your needs
- If nostalgia is the goal: pick Pillsbury or Great Value for classic boxed-cake flavor.
- For the most natural, homemade-like flavor: consider King Arthur.
- Want the moistest slices the next day? Favor mixes that call for oil or a butter+oil combo.
- Building a layered cake? Look for mixes with finer crumb or plan to use soaking syrup to keep slices tender.
Final notes for home bakers
Boxed yellow cake mixes can be pantry heroes when time is limited. The ATK tasting shows there’s a broad spectrum—from synthetic-sweet, fluorescent-yellow throwbacks to surprisingly well-crafted blends that genuinely feel bakery-made. For a quick, crowd-pleasing cake, choose the winner or the Great Value sleeper hit. If a more natural flavor is desired, reach for King Arthur and consider finishing touches (soaking syrup, a good buttercream) to elevate the result. cooking, recipes, bon apetit
ATK reviews team recommendations (summary)
- Highly recommended: Great Value Deluxe Moist Yellow Cake Mix; Pillsbury Moist Supreme Yellow Cake Mix (winner)
- Recommended: Betty Crocker Super Moist Butter Recipe; Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist Butter Golden; Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist Classic Yellow; Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow
- Recommended with reservations: King Arthur Golden Yellow; 365 Classic Yellow; Pillsbury Moist Supreme Golden Butter
- Not recommended: Bob’s Red Mill Classic Yellow Cake Mix
With these notes, readers can confidently choose a boxed yellow cake mix that fits their occasion—whether it’s a nostalgic sheet cake for a casual party or a quick layered dessert that needs a little finishing love.
This article was created from the video The Best and Worst Yellow Cake Mixes | The Taste Test | America's Test Kitchen with the help of AI.
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