Scratch Made Cakes vs Boxed Cake Mixes: A Tale of Quality and Health
There is a common misconception that boxed cake mixes are just as good as cakes made from scratch. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. I can’t tell you the Pandora's Box this topic this opens online from lay folks to bakers alike. Many of us grew up and learned to bake on boxed cakes, which is okay! This isn’t a moral stance on the quality of bake mixes or how anyone feeds their family. It is simply stating that scratch-made cakes, free of preservatives, not only taste better, but they are also healthier simply because they lack artificial ingredients.
One of the biggest differences between scratch made cakes and boxed cake mixes is the quality of ingredients. Boxed cake mixes contain preservatives, artificial flavors, and food coloring to extend their shelf life and make them appealing to the eye. Scratch made cakes, on the other hand, use fresh and natural ingredients, such as butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. This results in a richer, more flavorful cake that tastes much better than the boxed variety.
Another reason why scratch made cakes are superior is that they are free of artificial food coloring. Boxed cake mixes contain food coloring to give them a bright and attractive appearance, but these artificial colors have been linked to various health problems, including hyperactivity in children and other behavioral issues. Cakes made from scratch use natural ingredients to achieve their color, such as cocoa powder for chocolate cakes, and fresh fruit for fruit-flavored cakes.
Boxed cake mixes often contain a higher amount of leaveners, such as baking powder and baking soda, compared to scratch cakes. This results in the baked cake being mostly air, giving it a light and fluffy texture. However, this also means that the cake may lack the richness and depth of flavor that a scratch cake can offer, as the leaveners can overpower the taste of the other ingredients. Essentially, you are paying for more “air” and less cake. Due to their light and airy texture, box mix cakes aren’t as satisfying and scratch baked cakes.
Finally, boxed cake mixes contain artificial flavors that are used to try to enhance the taste of the cake. These artificial flavors, however, can leave a chemical aftertaste that can be unappealing and detract from the overall quality of the cake. Scratch made cakes use natural ingredients, such as vanilla extract and real fruits as flavorings, resulting in a delicious taste that is free of artificial aftertaste.
In conclusion, scratch made cakes are a better choice than boxed cake mixes in terms of quality and health. The use of fresh and natural ingredients, lack of artificial food coloring, and absence of artificial flavors make scratch made cakes a superior choice for anyone looking for a delicious and healthy dessert. Don’t be afraid to ask your bakery if they use a box mix (or a doctored version of one). You might be surprised how many retail bakeries use them. Once you experience the quality of baked-from-scratch pastries, it will be hard to go back the box!