Trader Joe's Mochi Cake Mix Review

Trader Joe's Mochi Cake Mix, inspired by a Hawaiian butter cake is good enough on its own. But take it up to the next level by adding a few simple ingredients.

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Trader Joe's introduced its Mochi Cake Mix a few years ago. Since then, it's become a fan favorite. Reviewers love the custardy texture, light butter flavor, and spongy interior.

Not your typical cake

If you're looking for a traditional fluffy cake, this is not it. Mochi is made with rice flour, which creates a cake with a springy, bouncy texture.

The result is not an overly sweet cake that you would frost, but a spongy, slightly sweet cake that pairs better with a dusting of powdered sugar and fresh strawberries.

The original box recipe calls for water, eggs, and melted butter. The batter mixes smoothly with a quick whisk and bakes in about 45 minutes.

How does it taste?

When I made it, the edges cooked up crunchy and brown with a soft, mochi-like interior. The flavor had a light coconut element with a buttery finish.

For someone who likes their desserts on the less sweet side, this cake can be highly addictive.

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Variations on the mochi cake

As good as it is on its own, it's always fun to kick it up a notch. Reddit users on the Trader Joe's sub have some creative ideas on how to add a little something to this boxed cake mix.

Alternatives to try inspired by the Reddit thread:

• Substitute crushed pineapple (undrained) for the water.
• Substitute coconut milk for the water for a richer flavor.
• Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter.
• Serve with a whipped cream topping and sliced strawberries.
• Add 1/2 cup shredded coconut to the batter.
• Substitute 1/2 the butter with coconut oil.
• Add a few tablespoons of match powder for a matcha mochi cake.
• Make mochi cupcakes by pouring the batter into a muffin tin, rather than using a baking pan. Be sure to watch the cupcakes closely while baking as they will cook faster.

Trader Joe's Chocolate Version

Straight from the Trader Joe's website comes a chocolate version of the cake. The instructions are the same, just add 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder and 1-1/2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Pancakes or waffles

Or you could try something completely different than a cake. This Reddit user put the batter in a waffle maker and reported, "The waffle iron gets more of the outside crispy but the insides stay nice and soft". Alternatively, you could make pancakes with the batter.

You can find Trader Joe's Mochi Cake Mix in the bakery aisle for $3.99 a box.

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