Duncan Hines Decadent Cake Mix Review

Usually when I bake, I do everything from scratch. However, I do occasionally use mixes – I pick them up whenever I can get a great deal with coupons, and they’re nice for instances where you’re pressed for time. So when the Family Review Network asked if I would like to try out the new line of cake mixes from Duncan Hines, of course I said yes!

Duncan Hines sent me two boxes of cake mix from their new Decadent line – Apple Caramel and Triple Chocolate. Being a chocoholic, I decided to try the Triple Chocolate first!

The cake mix is very straightforward: It only requires you to add water, vegetable oil and eggs. However, I managed to be out of both items! I haven’t bought eggs since we ate some that were part of the recall – we didn’t get sick or anything like that, so it’s not that I’m scared to buy eggs, but I just don’t want the hassle of having to return them yet again if they add more to the recall list; so I thought I’d just wait a little while before I pick up another dozen. However, I did have bananas on hand, which you can substitute for eggs – the ratio is around 1/4 cup of banana for each egg. Adding bananas or applesauce (another great substitute) in place of eggs makes your cake denser, which I like; and it’s a healthy addition, too. Which I promptly negated by adding 1/3 cup of mayonnaise.

Yes, mayonnaise. I know you think I’ve lost the plot, but hear me out. I usually have vegetable oil on hand, but I just happened to be out of it. I had lots of other oils in the cupboard, but after looking over some substitution charts, I learned that you can also use mayo to replace oil in a cake. I decided that I would be adventurous and give it a go. After staring into the bowl of mayonnaise, bananas, and cake mix, I wondered if this was such a good idea. After I mixed everything thoroughly, I hesitantly licked the beater. Believe it or not, there was no hint of mayo at all! I breathed a sigh of relief – if I couldn’t taste it in the batter, I knew it would certainly not be noticeable in the finished product.

The Decadent Cake Mix came with two mix separate mix pouches: One makes the cake and one makes a small bowl of fudgy chocolate filling. After you pour the cake batter into the pan, you dollop the filling on top and swirl it with a knife.

I popped the cake in the oven and served it with a yummy lasagna dinner!

Jai and I had mixed opinions on this cake. He thought it was just OK, and I thought it was delicious. This tasted like a big, fudgy brownie, which I loved; I am a huge brownie fan! I decided not to frost the cake, because it didn’t need it – the swirls of fudge were enough to make this cake stand on its own without a topping. Also, frosting is probably my least favorite part of a cake – I have no idea why, but I seem to care for it less and less over time.

Obviously, this cake was made extra moist and denser because of my substitutions – as well as having a touch of banana flavor, which I enjoyed! – but I’m sure it would still be delicious if you prepared it with eggs and oil. I really loved this cake and very thoroughly reviewed it until it was all gone. 😉

Next, it was time to make the Apple Caramel cake! I used bananas in place of eggs once again, but this time I substituted melted margarine for oil.

Like the chocolate cake, this also comes with a filling that you mix separately – this time, it’s a caramel filling to compliment the apple cake.

As with the Triple Chocolate mix, you spoon the filling on top of the cake batter in random places, then run a knife through it to create a swirled effect.

Here is the finished product:

Sorry, some of the cake batter stuck to the sides of the pan so this picture isn’t the prettiest!

This cake was a huge hit: Jai and I both loved it! I don’t know that I’ve ever tasted a boxed cake mix quite like this before – it’s more like an apple bread than a cake. Once again, this cake stands on its own without needing any frosting at all (at least in my opinion!) thanks to the gooey caramel filling. The bananas that I used in place of eggs complimented the apple flavor splendidly and contributed to the dense, moist consistency. I thoroughly enjoyed taste-testing both of these cakes; they are quick to make and very delicious. The swirled filling adds to the appearance of the cake and also eliminates the need for frosting, which further simplifies things – so if you’re looking for fast, simple, and delectable, then you might enjoy Duncan Hines’ Decadent Cakes!

For more information on the Decadent Cake line from Duncan Hines, click here to visit their website.

This post was written for Family Review Network & Duncan Hines who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest review.