Shrinkflation? Not You Too, Betty Crocker!
Man, I wish I was doing this for a more fun reason. it’s about two of the happiest things - cake and Betty Crocker. What could be sad about that, right? I’m a big fan of both. I mean, nothing’s more fun and rewarding to bake than cake, and I think every vintage kitchenware fan has at least one vintage Betty Crocker cookbook on the shelf. So why am I bummed, and why am I here?
Well, it’s because of a fairly modern and very sad concept - shrinkflation. Not something I would typically address in a vintage cooking space, I usually stay away from current events and I never share my own recipes, but this one just hit too close to home. I am all about from-scratch homemade everything but even I have a couple boxes of yellow cake mix in the back of the pantry for those cake emergencies. I mean it’s delicious. And I know I’m compromising on ingredients but you know we all take our shortcuts sometimes.
So when a video came across my feed about Betty Crocker changing the size of their boxed cake mix, it definitely caught my eye. It didn’t make any sense. I mean, how can you change the size? It makes the same amount of cake. And when I say change the size I mean really changed. Like from 18 ounces originally now down to 13.25. That’s a 27% reduction. And it’s supposed to make the same size cake. I don’t even know what to say.
I’m just a home cook, so don’t ask me how they did it, but I know what they sacrificed to do it - taste, texture, quality, and trust. It’s gross, and I’m not just talking about the flavor.
People really rely on cake mix and trust Betty Crocker as a brand. Her vintage cookbooks? There’s a reason why there’s so popular, even today. And it’s not just because they’re adorable. It’s because they’re really really helpful. The photos aren’t just cute, they’re instructional and inspiring. And the recipes aren’t just tasty. They’re easy, budget, friendly, and understandable. Betty Crocker made cooking relatable and possible for an entire generation of home cooks.
And just like the cookbooks, Betty Crocker boxed cake mixes allowed anyone to make a really great cake on short notice with limited ingredients. So, they became a part of probably every kitchen in America, and for good reason. They were pretty delicious, and super easy.
So to be honest, I feel a little betrayed. It’s kind of a dramatic word, but it’s true. This new 13.25 ounce box cake is terrible. It’s really sad. It’s tasteless, dry, and once I started looking at the ingredients it’s made of, I was pretty grossed out. And I really really admire all the bakers out there who are giving advice and making recipes to compensate for it by adding things like extra eggs and milk instead of water, and even a box of pudding, but I’m kind of done.
If you have to go out of your way to add bunch more things, it goes against whole purpose of easy, ready-made box cake mix.
So if all this bothers you too, but like most normal people you need to have a quick and easy cake mix on hand for when you find out you need 40 cupcakes by the morning, I’ve spent the last week or so developing a solution.
See cake isn’t actually that complicated and despite the fact that Betty Crocker thinks it needs crazy ingredients like monocalcium phosphate, it really doesn’t. You can totally make your own boxed cake mix. Not only is it possible, but it’s super easy, very economical, and making your own means that you can have complete control over the ingredients. In fact, I found a way to elevate boxed cake mix to a whole new gourmet level that is so delicious, everyone will think it was from a professional baker.
You’ll love it, the whole party will love it, and with a little prep work, your pantry will be stocked with boxed cake mix that’s just as easy and convenient as any store bought stuff. So, for a box cake replacement recipe for yellow cake, white cake, chocolate, lemon, and even spice cake, check out my post below. They will taste so, so much better, and you’ll get to take the shortcut you deserve without sacrificing anything.
WANT TO COOK THE RECIPES IN THIS SERIES? SEE BELOW FOR LINKS!
KITCHENWARE USED IN THIS SERIES
VINTAGE ANCHOR HOCKING
Meadow Green from the 1960’s
VINTAGE PYREX
Spring Blossom/Crazy Daisy, from the 1970’s
Other Recipes in this Series
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Homemade Boxed Cake Mix Bonus Flavors
Fighting shrinkflation with my homemade boxed cake mix? Add some bonus flavors to your pantry! Lemon, chocolate, spice, and birthday cake!
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Fighting Shrinkflation with Homemade Boxed Cake Mix
I’m done with shrinkflation, so I’m making my own ready made boxed cake mix for cakemergencies.
