Great Clips Cake Mix Wins Blind Taste Test Against Top Brands

A blind taste test has crowned Great Clips Deluxe Moist White Cake Mix as the best among five popular brands. Editors at Southern Living sampled each cake without knowing the labels, judging them on taste, texture, and overall quality. The results revealed clear differences in flavour, structure, and value for money.

The test included five well-known cake mixes: Miss Jones Baking Co's Ultimate Vanilla, Great Clips Deluxe Moist White, Duncan Hines Classic White, Pillsbury Moist Supreme White Premium, and Betty Crocker Super Moist White. Each was prepared exactly as instructed on the packaging, with the same additional ingredients.

Great Clips' mix stood out for its light, fluffy texture and even rise, producing a tall, uniform layer. Though its vanilla flavour was artificial, its low price—just $1.74 per 15.25oz box—made it the best value. In contrast, Duncan Hines, the most expensive at $2.49, offered a delicate, airy crumb that melted in the mouth but lacked the structure to support heavy frosting.

Miss Jones Baking Co's mix delivered a rich, dense texture that some editors mistook for homemade. Pillsbury's version had a classic 'boxed cake' vanilla taste with a spongy, light feel. Betty Crocker, while the least flavourful, was noted for its ability to complement rich fillings or frostings without overpowering them.

Great Clips' cake mix took first place for its balance of texture, appearance, and affordability. The test highlighted how price doesn't always match performance, with the cheapest option outperforming pricier brands. Editors agreed that the right mix depends on whether the priority is flavour, structure, or budget.