Category: Review

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the Duncan Hines Apple Carmel Cake Mix and Vanilla Glaze.  For the review, I was also given a box of Triple Chocolate Decadent Cake Mix and Chocolate Glaze.  I figured it was only fair to review this one as well.

This time, instead of a bundt cake, I decided to make cupcakes.  As with the Apple Carmel mix, I was surprised by the filling.   It wasn’t just powdered chocolate.  It had chocolate chips and chunks inside as well!

During my cooking, I acquired a little helper.  Here’s JSL stirring the filling.

When it was all mixed, it took a lot of willpower to not scarf down the filling right then and there.  Maybe they should include 2 packets of filling in each box.  One to put in the cake and one to eat immediately!

Next, we mixed up the cake batter itself.

The cake mix went into the cupcake wrappers and then the filling gets placed on top.

Here’s the worst part… The waiting.

 

Soon enough, though, the cupcakes were done.  Notice how the cupcake rises around the filling, leaving most of it inside the cupcake.

Next, for the frosting.  Like the vanilla frosting before, this was simple.  Remove the bottle’s cap, microwave the bottle for 30 seconds, put the cap back on, and frost.

I’ll admit, my frosting method was haphazard, but I still think these look like some nice cupcakes.

Want to take a peak inside?  Here it is in all its ooey gooey chocolatey glory.

Of course, cupcakes can look like the most delicious things in the world, but if the taste doesn’t back it up, the appearance is worth nothing.  The taste most certainly backs up the appearance.  B wasn’t a fan of the filling, but then again she’s not a chocolate fanatic like my boys and I am.  They devoured the cupcakes they were given and NHL asked for more.

You might wonder why there’s no photo of NHL eating his cupcake.  That would be because in the time it took me to put down JSL’s cupcake, seat JSL, and grab a cupcake for myself, NHL had finished his cupcake.  I’d say that’s a thumbs up from NHL.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, the remaining cupcakes are calling me and I must try to resist their siren’s call.

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

I love cooking and baking.  (Maybe you could tell from my Cooking With TechyDad posts.)  While I appreciate creating dishes from scratch, I’m not ashamed to turn to box mixes either.  So when I was given the opportunity to review Duncan Hines’ new Decadent cake mixes and glazes, I jumped at the chance.

I received the Apple Carmel and Triple Chocolate cake mixes and the Vanilla and Chocolate glazes.  The chocolate (both glaze and mix) review will appear in a week or so.  For now, I’d like to focus on the Apple Carmel cake mix and Vanilla glaze.

 

First some information on the cake mixes and glazes:

Duncan Hines®, the well recognized brand that has been helping families create delicious memories for 60 years, introduces the latest breakthrough in deliciousness at the baking aisle – Decadent Cakes and Glazes. Only Duncan Hines now offers the most premium, indulgent cakes that one can find outside of a bakery. Duncan Hines new Decadent Cake Line with two new incredibly indulgent offerings – Duncan Hines Decadent Triple Chocolate Cake with real chocolate chunks and rich fudge and Duncan Hines Decadent Apple Caramel cake with real apples and rich caramel. With more people entertaining at home and looking for better quality desserts, these decadent cakes are perfect. Both cakes contain zero grams of trans fat and NO hydrogenated oils. They are available in cake baking section of supermarkets nationwide in 20 oz size boxes at a SRP of $2.99.

Simultaneously, Duncan Hines launches Decadent Glazes, a one of a kind glaze designed to elevate the baking experience with a whole new way to top your desserts. Available in Chocolate and Vanilla, Decadent Glazes help home chefs create spectacular desserts with professional results. Only Duncan Hines offers this versatile topping to complement your baked goods or any dessert with a touch of sweetness and flavor. What separates Decadent Glazes from frosting is they are not as heavy or sweet as frosting and are convenient to use. These glazes are available in a 10 ounce squeeze bottle at an SRP of $2.49.

Ok, now on to the cooking.  The mix includes two components.  The normal “cake mix” portion and the caramel mix-in portion.  These were really simple to prepare.  Mix in the required ingredients into separate bowls and you’re good to go.

Notice the lumps in the cake batter.  No, I didn’t neglect to stir enough.  Those are apple chunks.  We’re not talking apple flavoring here, but actual apple chunks!

For a normal cake, the caramel would go in first followed by the apple cake mix, but I decided to make this as a bundt.  This meant mixing the batter first and then tossing it all into my bundt pan.

Baking took longer than the box said, but I attribute this to the bundt pan versus normal cake pan.  As with any mix, you should use the box listed times as guides but realize that many factors (e.g. oven temperatures) can change cooking times.  In any event, I was soon greeted with a finished apple-caramel cake.

I let the cake cool overnight and the next day it was glaze time.  I was impressed by how simple this was.  Simply remove the bottle’s cap, microwave the bottle for a short while, replace the cap and pour your glaze.  Leftover glaze (and we had lots left over) can be refrigerated for later microwaving.

 

Looks delicious, doesn’t it?

Here’s a slice….

… Oh, rats.  I just realized we haven’t perfected web-to-plate delivery technology.  Oh well, take my word for it, this was quite tasty.  The cake was extremely moist and the glaze was sweet but not overpoweringly so.  The cake didn’t last long at all and now I’m itching to try the chocolate ones (as I’m a huge chocoholic).  This is definitely a product I’d recommend and one I’d eat again.

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