What’s the best boxed cake mix?

We Tested 10 And Found A Winner

Emily HEil

THE WASHINGTON POST

Nothing says “celebration” quite like a frosted cake. Slathered with icing, pipedon lettering, or sugar roses (or all of those, because why not? – it’s a party!), a cake is the most festive way to say “happy birthday!” or maybe just “happy Tuesday!”

Americans eat a lot of cake from boxes – 214 million were sold last year, according to the research firm NielsenIQ. And yellow cake is far and away the most popular flavor, with chocolate at second. Many of us just grab the first box we spy at the grocery store, since it’s impossible from the packaging to know which is going to give us the best results. So to determine the mix we should seek out and those to leave behind, we set out to test the field.

To figure out which brands readers are most likely to encounter, we culled a list of the top-selling brands of prepared cake, cupcake and pie mixes from the Chicago-based market research firm IRI (its numbers came from grocery, drug, massmarket, convenience, military, and select club and dollar retailers, and covered the year that ended in January.). We bought yellow cake mix from the brands that offered it to get a total of 10 boxed mixes (private-label brands were No. 5 on the list, so we picked up a few popular grocery-store brands).

For each, we baked the 9-by-13 version, strictly adhering to the directions on each box (for the few that didn’t offer such instructions, we made 9-inch rounds, as directed). Things got off to a not-so-sweet start when the first few cakes came out surprisingly dark brown and leathery. We swapped the nonstick pans we’d been using for standard aluminum ones, and started over – but let this be a lesson about the difference bakeware can make! Only one of these major brands specifies a lower baking temperature for nonstick.

Our eight brave volunteers tasted all 10 samples in a side-byside, blind test (that is, they didn’t know which brands were which), awarding each up to a maximum score of 10, taking into account appearance, flavor and texture. We gave each panelist a bowl of vanilla buttercream frosting to spread on top, to get the most accurate read on how each cake would perform in the wild.

And something really interesting (and unprecedented for us!) happened: There was a tie for the No. 1 slot. Now, we’ve had ties in previous taste tests, but only for runner-up positions, never for the winner. We really wanted to give our readers a clear overall recommendation, so we took the rare step of conducting a runoff contest (insert election joke here). For this round, we pitted the top two cakes against one another and assembled a fresh panel of five tasters. This process almost resulted in another tie – and if it had, we probably would have just thrown in our floury dish towel and declared the two brands to be co-champions. But the winning cake mix beat the runner-up by a single point. So we have a winner, and also a very solid contender. (That bonus round explains the disparity in scoring; the top two on the list had a potential additional 50 points to pick up in the final battle.)

That’s enough about the methodology – like many an attendee of an office party, you’re probably just here for the cake. And so, without further ado, here’s how those boxes stacked up:

10. Krusteaz Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix

Score: 17

The bottom two scorers in this taste test happen to be the two gluten-free mixes of the bunch. The Krusteaz sample in particular got dinged for an unappealingly pale hue, which several people likened to banana bread. Its worse-than-dense texture was labeled “firm,” “mealy,” with “no give.” “It’s a brick,” one taster concluded. “Dry, mealy and tough at the same time,” said another. (Price: $4.58 / 18 ounces at Walmart)

9. Birch Benders Cupcake & Cake Mix

Keto Classic Yellow

Score: 22

Another gluten-free brand, another wanly colored cake. This one reminded four tasters of cornbread, and that wasn’t a good thing. Unlike the Krusteaz, the Birch Benders didn’t suffer from being too dry, but that didn’t mean tasters liked it, either. “Is it underbaked?” one wondered. “Wet?” asked another. One deemed it “almost flavorless,” while several pegged it as some kind of healthier formula. “Is this an everythingfree recipe?” one asked. (Price: $8.99/ 10.9 ounces at Giant)

8. Jiffy Golden Yellow Cake Mix

Score: 34

Several tasters appreciated the uniform, finely crumbed, “spongy sponge” texture. But you can’t get by on looks alone, and the flavor fell far short. “This tastes like pressed wood chips,” said one unimpressed taster. “Not much taste,” said another. And not that this is something the tasters knew (remember, it was a blind test), but this one had the most streamlined preparation of the bunch: The box called for just egg and water, as opposed to most of the rest that also required the addition of oil or butter or milk. But its old-school packaging and sizing meant that one package resulted in either an 8 – or 9 – inch round or an 8-inch square, as opposed to most of the rest, which produce a convenient sheet-pan size. (Price: $1.19/ 9 ounces at Publix)

7. King Arthur Golden Yellow Cake & Cupcake Mix

Score: 36

From the company that makes products beloved by many a home baker, this mix was the most labor-intensive of the bunch (it called for adding butter, oil, eggs and milk, unlike the other mixes, which typically called for only two of those). Several tasters deemed it to be the thickest of the samples, with a tight crumb and a dense interior. Some found that unappealing (“I had to put effort in getting my fork through it!” “Too dense, too dry”), but a couple noted that those qualities might be stabilizing assets in a stacked layer cake. And the brand’s boast that it contains no artificial colors or flavors translated to our tasters as a bland, “modest” hint of vanilla. (Price: $7.49/ 40 ounces at BJ’s Wholesale Club)

6. 365 (Whole Foods)

Classic Yellow Cake Mix

Score: 37

Our panel found that the Whole Foods’ house-brand mix produced a decidedly middleof-the-road confection. Reviews were the equivalent of yawns.

“Inoffensive,” remarked one. Many liked its “glossy” brown top but otherwise found little to single out about this humdrum slice. (Price: $3.29/ 16 ounces at

Whole Foods)

5. Trader Joe’s Yellow Cake & Baking Mix

Score: 41

Products from the quirky grocery chain often end up attaining cult status, but alas, TJ’s cake mix does not seem destined to rise to that pantheon. Several testers noted that it fell flat – literally. “Sadly short,” said one. “I can’t imagine how unimpressive a finished cake would be.” (Price: $2.99/ 16 ounces at Trader Joe’s)

4. Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow Cake Mix

Score: 44

America’s uncontested topselling brand didn’t wind up being our favorite. But it had some things going for it: Our testers noted it was one of the loftiest entrants (“You could make a tall layer cake with this,” one surmised). And it clearly struck some nostalgic notes. “Would definitely eat and feel like a kid again,” another said. But one detected a “slight metallic” note, and another said it was more redolent of generically sweet “birthday cake” than natural vanilla. (Price: $2.39/ 15.2 ounces at Giant)

3. Pillsbury Moist Supreme Yellow

Score: 58

You wouldn’t go wrong with this popular mix, which pleased our panel for its familiar vibe and “moist” consistency. But it didn’t wow most of our panel.

“Basic yellow cake,” said one. “Standard ‘yellow’ flavor,” said another. But it had its fans: One taster declared it her runaway favorite (“I feel the sugar high coming on, just give me a piñata to hit!”), and even took the remainder of her sample with her for a snack later. (Price: $2.89 / 15.25 ounces at Safeway)

2. Duncan Hines Classic Yellow Score: 100 (61 in first round, 39 in runoff)

Several tasters praised the pleasantly “fluffy” consistency and eye-catching butter-yellow hue of this one. “Nice and plush,” said another. And it contained just the right amount of sugar, our panel agreed: “Good cake flavor but not so sweet it hurts,” in the words of one fan. “Tastes like childhood birthday parties,” said one. Another suggested it might be the one cake in the taste test that she could credibly pass off as homemade (we won’t tell!). The Duncan Hines cake tied for first in our initial tasting, and so it went mano a mano with the other top pick. But in the final round, some detected just the slightest aftertaste (“A little eggy?” one wondered) and found it a touch more subtly flavored than the ultimate winner. For many people, though, this might just be the best option, since –unlike our winner – it’s available at most grocery stores. (Price: $1.69/ 15.25 ounces at Food Lion)

1. Great Value (Walmart) Deluxe Moist Yellow Cake Mix

Score: 101 (61 in first round, 40 in runoff)

Need to whip up a birthday cake in a hurry? According to our panel, Walmart’s house brand is your best bet for a dessert that will please a crowd with a sunshiny color, pronounced vanilla flavor and a not-too-dense, nottoo-airy consistency that the even pickiest Goldilocks would want to invite to her party. (And not for nothing – it’s the cheapest option we tested.)

“Would absolutely serve this,” said one discerning entertainer. Another noted that it had a smooth surface, optimal for icing. “Delish!” cried one taster.

“What more could a girl want?”

(Price: 89 cents/ 15.25 ounces at Walmart) tion, telling NBC that there are tax payments expected then that are substantial and “getting to that date is the problem.” told there is no new evidence.

The current standoff over the debt ceiling has the potential to put more strain on the U.S. economy, which is already vulnerable to a recession after a series of interestrate hikes by the Federal Reserve, according to Bloomberg Economics. A U.S. default would risk triggering a market selloff, a surge in borrowing costs and a blow to the global economy. A temporary walkout from the debt-limit talks by Republican negotiators sent stocks down on Friday.

Biden told reporters in Japan Sunday before his departure that he proposed to cut spending and that the onus is now on Republicans to shift their demands. The president insisted he wouldn’t agree to a deal that protects tax breaks for the wealthy and the fossil-fuel and pharmaceutical industries while cutting health-care and education funding.

“Now it’s time for the other side to move from their extreme positions because much of what they’ve already proposed is simply, quite frankly, unacceptable,” Biden said.

Republicans have lowered their demands on spending caps from 10 years to six years, according to two people familiar with the talks, but the White House still wants the deal to last two years.

One of the people said the GOP is still seeking a large increase to defense spending next year, something that would deepen cuts to social services. Democrats have demanded that defense, which is about half of all federal discretionary spending, not be fenced off from cuts.

McCarthy and his spokesman didn’t reply when asked about the GOP spending cap offer.

Representative Garret Graves, one of the Republican negotiators, told reporters Sunday the GOP will insist on a multi-year spending limit and such a cap is a “foundational” focus of the talks. Energy permitting changes are “irrelevant” without a deal on caps, he said.

Graves said the two sides already have “made a lot of progress” in their discussions but had “a setback” on Saturday.

Asked about the possibility of a short-term extension to avoid a debt default, McCarthy dismissed the idea.

Rodriguez maintains contact with some her sister’s friends, some of whom are in college.

“A lot of them are still in the Vallejo area and I run into some of them,” she said. Some show up every May 25 to remember Pearl. Family and friends will gather at 6 p.m. Thursday at 1000 Lewis Ave. in Vallejo. Those attend ing are asked to bring only white balloons.

William Pinson, the father of Pearl and Rodriguez, has joined the effort to keep his daugh ter’s story in the limelight, often posting news on social media.

Rodriguez stays in touch with Midsi Sanchez, who was kid napped Aug. 10, 2000, in Vallejo.

Two days after the abduc tion, her kidnapper, Curtis Dean Anderson, left her alone in the car and forgot to take the keys.

Sanchez made her move. She quickly grabbed the keys, unlocked the padlock he had put on her and climbed out of the car window and was able to flag down a truck driver, who then called for help.

Rodriguez married earlier this year, and hopes one day to have a daughter she will name Pearl.

“The Pearl Pinson case remains an open investigation for the Sheriff’s Office. We have not had any new, significant leads in this case recently. Our office continues its commitment to bring closure to the family,” Jackson Harris Jr., of the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, said.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ groups/609286249234813.

Term

From

Dan Schnur, a former campaign consultant who teaches political messaging at UC Berkeley and USC.

It wasn’t too long ago that Newsom had another Senate seat to fill: Kamala Harris’ when she became the vice president.

The governor tapped Alex Padilla, California’s secretary of state, to fill the role in 2021, making him the first Latino to represent California in the Senate.

Shortly thereafter, Newsom was asked if he would commit to appointing a Black woman to replace Feinstein if she were to leave her seat prematurely.

He said yes.

That commitment was a “game-changer,” said Aimee Allison, founder of She the People, a national organization that supports women of color in politics.

“There’s no expectation on our end that he would not fulfill that promise, particularly if you look at the significance of this decision nationally, how important it is,” Allison said. “It would complicate his legacy not to fulfill his promise.”

For now, Newsom doesn’t have to worry about such a decision and the ramifications of his choice to replace Feinstein. But from selecting a “caretaker” to essentially tipping his hand amid an ongoing campaign, here’s a look at what options he eventually could face.

The big three

At first glance, there

From bomb attack on the city in 1945 reminded him of the state of Bakhmut, he said.

Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar also signaled that fighting there continued.

While the Russians may control the city proper, Russian forces failed to surround the Bakhmut and lost part of the high ground they had con- are three major Democrats who have made it certain they’d like to take over for Feinstein: Reps. Barbara Lee of Oakland, Katie Porter of Irvine and Adam Schiff of Burbank.

But picking one of the trio would essentially be an endorsement in an open election, and Newsom has said he doesn’t like to get involved in “Dem-onDem” races.

Lee would, however, fulfill that 2021 promise to appoint a Black woman – a move that wouldn’t come without some conundrums, especially since Newsom is widely considered to be mulling a presidential bid, even if that campaign is still a few years out.

Should Lee, 76, be his choice, it’s safe to assume she runs for reelection in 2024, setting her up in a better position to win as the incumbent.

“Schiff and Porter have some very powerful supporters with long memories,” said Schnur. “Offending a Schiff supporter in Nancy Pelosi or a Porter backer like Elizabeth Warren doesn’t do him much good.” And neither would angering the Black community if he snubbed Lee, Schnur said.

There’s also the Southern California ripple effect a Lee appointment would make. It’s entirely possible Schiff, 62, or Porter, 49, could decide to forgo a 2024 Senate race and vie for reelection to their respective congressional seats instead, throwing wrenches in already contentious and crowded races for their seats.

The caretakers

Another politically trolled on the outskirts.

Ukrainian troops also maintain control over some industrial facilities.

“The advance of our troops in the suburbs along the flanks, which is still ongoing, makes it very difficult for the enemy to stay in Bakhmut,” she said in on Telegram. “Our troops have partially encircled the city, which gives us the opportunity to destroy the enemy. ”

Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin also said in a video posted Saturday to his Telegram treacherous route for Newsom would be to appoint a “caretaker” for the seat – someone who could fill the position until California voters choose a new senator in 2024.

“If I were advising him, it would be to pick a caretaker, a qualified caretaker, and someone who is not interested in the open seat,” said Stephen Stambough, a Cal State Fullerton political science professor who specializes in political behavior and elections.

“Senate offices have a lot of really skilled, experienced staff members,” he said. “A caretaker retaining the same staff – or a significant portion – would be the easiest transition, and then California voters would have to weigh a decision.”

There is certainly a bevy of names floating around of who Newsom could or should choose, including former Gov. Jerry Brown, who once made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate, or former San Francisco Mayor and longtime Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, a staunch defender of Feinstein’s career and legacy, even of late.

And of course, there’s Pelosi, a longtime friend of Feinstein who has rebuffed calls for her to resign from office. That relationship was further highlighted in recent days when Politico reported Pelosi’s daughter is part of Feinstein’s caretaking entourage back in the Capitol, leading a spokesperson for the former speaker to reject speculation Pelosi could be attempting to influence Feinstein’s decisions about her future.

These three options channel that his forces would withdraw from Bakhmut on May 25 “for rest and retraining” and hand over operations to the Russian military. “We completely took the whole city, from house to house,” he said in the video. aren’t much younger than Feinstein, who will turn 90 next month – Willie Brown recently turned 89, Jerry Brown is 85 and Pelosi is 83. Any of the three would become the second-oldest member of the Senate behind Iowa’s Chuck Grassley, 89.

While the Bakhmut news cast a shadow over Zelenskyy’s unscheduled appearance this weekend in Hiroshima, he did receive some good news as the U.S. and other allies sought to shore up Ukraine in anticipation of a major counteroffensive.

“There is no shortage of village elders who he could give the seat to as a career capper,” Schnur said. “That would allow him to preserve his neutrality in the Senate race, but it would almost certainly infuriate many African American leaders.”

Newsom could appoint a Black woman, such as San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell or Rep. Maxine Waters. Supporters of Waters, who is 84, could see an appointment as a tribute to her political service whereas for Breed, 48, it could be another stepping stone in a career path already following Feinstein’s.

Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Controller Malia Cohen are also options – and ones with a twist. Newsom could appoint either of the state officeholders to head to Washington for a short time while putting placeholders in their seats for them to return to. For Weber, that might be a bit trickier since she oversees California’s elections, Schnur noted, but at 74 years old, it’s entirely possible she could use a Senate position to bookend her own political career.

But to Allison, who is heavily involved in California politics, this idea of a “placeholder” is only a “half-commitment” to supporting Black female leadership.

Biden said in Hiroshima after speaking to Zelenskyy, that he was convinced the counteroffensive would proceed.

The U.S. president paved the way for F-16 fighter jets to be sent to Ukraine by allowing Ukrainian pilots to train on the aircraft, a move that Washington previously resisted but was urged by European allies.

Biden also announced more military aid including ammunition, artillery and armored vehicles. The package amounts to

“With everything that’s at stake – voting rights, abortion rights, climate, it goes on and on – I would hope that the governor would not prioritize political neutrality over someone who knows D.C., has experience representing us Californians and who we trust to get the job done from day one,” Allison said. “That requires not doing something in half-measure, not this temporary thing, but to support Barbara Lee, to position her to represent us and to win reelection.”

“Anything less than that would be less than a full commitment to making sure that we have representation in the Senate.”

The outlier

If there’s one constant about politics, it’s the unpredictability.

And while most experts believe this is a long shot, there is still the notion that Newsom could appoint none other than himself, using that position to launch a bid for the presidency.

“The next three years look like they’re going to be pretty nasty for him,” Schnur said. “The state has an immense budget deficit, there are continuing housing and homelessness and education crises. Maybe the Senate turns out to be a better way for him to get to the White House.”

“It would be a really risky thing to do,” Schnur said, pointing to the chance he’d lose the support of Black voters if he went back on that 2021 promise. “But the one thing we know about Gavin Newsom is that he’s very ambitious.”

$375 million, according to the Defense Department. Zelenskyy gave the US assurances that the jets wouldn’t be used to attack Russian territory, Biden said.

G-7 nations also widened existing export bans to Russia, with the U.S. placing dozens more individuals and companies on its entities list in an effort to stop Moscow from getting key inputs for its war machine.