Page 4 | AIBU to use a cake mix?

Nyshift · 2026-04-19T12:55:49+00:00

Would I be unreasonable to make a cake using a cake mix for a party? A relative is visiting the uk and has fond memories of family baking. I thought I was making a fruit cake but someone else is making that, I’ve been asked to make a chocolate cake. I’m not very good at that kind of baking 🤣 so AIBU to use a nice mix and pass it off as home made?

Livpool · 19/04/2026 15:13

YANBU but I would probably buy one as I am a rubbish baker. I can cook but I am too haphazard to be a baker as it has to be so precise

Funnywonder · 19/04/2026 15:12

I don’t think there’s a huge amount of extra work in just getting the ingredients together yourself. As pp’s mentioned above, Mary Berry’s all in one cake is fantastic. I make her chocolate fudge cake a few times a year and it’s honestly the easiest thing. I don’t do complicated😆

Whataloadoffuss · 19/04/2026 15:11

likelysuspect · 19/04/2026 15:09

Chocolate cake tends to be quite dry and tasteless to be honest

Than clearly you haven't had the right one 😉

BoarBrush · 19/04/2026 15:11

Betty Crocker is my best pal, that chocolate cakes to die for.

Whataloadoffuss · 19/04/2026 15:10

Haha, not at all! Just grate some chocolate yourself on the top to make ot look a little rustic, and they'll be none the wiser!

CocoaTea · 19/04/2026 15:10

tarheelbaby · 19/04/2026 14:54

Using cake mix is U (unnecessary) ! You can easily use a recipe from Mary Berry, Delia (knows what tastes good and delivers a working recipe), Nigella (good for simplicity and good flavour) or any other established cook with a published book.

Cake mix does not have any special ingredients to ensure success or good flavour. It is simply pre-measured dry ingredients which you probably have in your cupboards right now: flour, sugar, salt, bicarbonate of /baking soda.

As per @SilenceInside, cake mix is not really any help because you still need to add other ingredients like eggs, milk/cream, butter, et al. AND these 'liquid' ingredients are the ones which make a cake rich, moist and luscious.

No one said it was necessary.

However it is usually a bit quicker and a bit less stress free if I cannot any afford to make even the slightest mistake at all, due to time etc.

The Betty Crocker Devil’s Food cake mix IS delicious and also very rich/fudgy.

The Betty Crocker Milk chocolate mix is lighter, fluffier but also very lovely.

Also - FYI you only add eggs, oil and water. So not all the other ingredients you listed.

And I am not saying this because I can’t bake - I am recommending this solution to this specific occasion where @Nyshift is a bit worried about the outcome.

There is no shame in using a cake mix if you feel a bit under pressure.

likelysuspect · 19/04/2026 15:09

Chocolate cake tends to be quite dry and tasteless to be honest

StationJack · 19/04/2026 15:07

Chocolate cake is vile. Make a yummy cake of your choice.

Chocolate cake mix ingredients:
Enriched Flour Bleached (WHEAT flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Sugar, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Corn Syrup, Leavening (baking soda, monocalcium phosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate). Contains 2% or Starch, Modified Palm Oil, Carob Powder, Propylene Glycol Mono and Diesters of Fatty Acids, Distilled Monoglycerides, Salt, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Artificial

All-in-One Chocolate Cake Recipe (Delia Smith)

Madarch · 19/04/2026 15:02

tarheelbaby · 19/04/2026 14:54

Using cake mix is U (unnecessary) ! You can easily use a recipe from Mary Berry, Delia (knows what tastes good and delivers a working recipe), Nigella (good for simplicity and good flavour) or any other established cook with a published book.

Cake mix does not have any special ingredients to ensure success or good flavour. It is simply pre-measured dry ingredients which you probably have in your cupboards right now: flour, sugar, salt, bicarbonate of /baking soda.

As per @SilenceInside, cake mix is not really any help because you still need to add other ingredients like eggs, milk/cream, butter, et al. AND these 'liquid' ingredients are the ones which make a cake rich, moist and luscious.

There are added extras to mixes that mean the cake is less likely to fail, will rise consistently and look better (for a non-baker that doesn't get a lot of practice). Obviously, if you're a confident Baker, you wouldn't look twice at a mix.

tarheelbaby · 19/04/2026 14:54

Using cake mix is U (unnecessary) ! You can easily use a recipe from Mary Berry, Delia (knows what tastes good and delivers a working recipe), Nigella (good for simplicity and good flavour) or any other established cook with a published book.

Cake mix does not have any special ingredients to ensure success or good flavour. It is simply pre-measured dry ingredients which you probably have in your cupboards right now: flour, sugar, salt, bicarbonate of /baking soda.

As per @SilenceInside, cake mix is not really any help because you still need to add other ingredients like eggs, milk/cream, butter, et al. AND these 'liquid' ingredients are the ones which make a cake rich, moist and luscious.

harriethoyle · 19/04/2026 14:49

I second Mary Berry or the BeRo all in one cake mix - super easy. I have a great chocolate ganache recipe if you want it

Madarch · 19/04/2026 14:46

Go for it. Betty crocker is your friend.
I avoid UPFs as a general rule, but if I had to produce a no-chance-of-failing cake, I'd make an exception for BC.

SilenceInside · 19/04/2026 14:41

You can, but they’re just a pre mix of dry ingredients that you still have to add other ingredients to in order to make a cake. You may as well just use flour, baking powder, sugar etc and follow a simple recipe. The all in one mentioned up thread would do.

NightsinthegardensofSpain · 19/04/2026 14:41

Betty Crocker, extra egg and do your own icing

UDontaskUDontget · 19/04/2026 14:39

RampantIvy · 19/04/2026 14:01

Use a Mary Berry all in one chocolate sponge recipe. It is just as easy and will taste better.

I use this recipe too! Its the best fudgy chocolate cake and always turns out perfect

SALaw · 19/04/2026 14:37

You would be very very unreasonable, yes. Whatever you do, do not do it as it will certainly end in trouble.

CocoaTea · 19/04/2026 14:18

Use a Betty crocker cake mix and make your own icing.

RampantIvy · 19/04/2026 14:01

Use a Mary Berry all in one chocolate sponge recipe. It is just as easy and will taste better.

Waterlooville · 19/04/2026 13:58

That's fine but be a bit wary, last time someone I know used one of these the cake tasted really salty and there were a few comments on it.

TheNavyReader · 19/04/2026 13:57

Absolutely use one ,tart up the decoration and I doubt anyone will know .