My store will be opening in 2 or 3 weeks, and I'm getting really nervous! There is so much that still needs to be done. I've tried 2 commercial cake mixes so far to replace the WalMart cake mix that I use now, and I hated both of them. The texture was icky, and there was no way my customers would believe that it tasted like my current cake. I tried making it just like the directions say, I tried doctoring it a little... What am I going to do? Sneak to WalMart in disguise every night to buy cake mix??

I've tried a BakeMark all natural white cake mix and a GFS white cake mix so far. Any suggestions from someone who uses commercial mixes? I can easily get my hands on a Pillsbury commercial mix also. I was just REALLY hoping to be able to still add milk, butter and eggs to whatever I use. BakeMark has a new product coming out that uses buttermilk and butter I believe, and my rep has ordered a sample for me, but it won't be here before my grand opening, so I'll have no time to play with it- which is essential.

Any and all advice is desperately needed! Thanks ladies & gents!
Beth

I don't like the commercial mixes either. Why would you have to "sneak" into walmart? Just call the manager and order them in advance and they will have your order ready for pickup.

I haven't checked into this yet, but you might check into something like CSD (Convenience Store Distribution) .. they supply places like 7-Elevens, Village Pantries, etc. and those places carry cake mixes, so I'm sure they would have some in stock.

You can also check with Sam's and they can order anything you want EXCEPT walmart brand items.

I personally don't have a problem with commercial cake mixes. unless there's a law about not using them, I fully intend to when I start my business. The reason? Everyone raves about my cakes... how moist and flavorful. I've tried home-made from scratch cakes, and those are good, but folks just love the butter recipe cakes from mixes, with my decorations on 'em. Why mess with a good thing? Give people what they like, when possible. If your Walmart cake mix is working for you, go with that. It might be more expensive than buying a commercial mix in bulk (have no clue if this is true or not, but stands to reason that it would be), then try them out as you can. But if you have something that works for you and your clients, stick with it.

DoniB, I don't have a problem with the 'idea' of using a commercial mix, don't get me wrong on that. And for anyone else reading this thread, let's not go into that debate again. There are already so many threads on this board discussing the pros and cons of mix vs scratch, etc.

My dilemna is in finding a commercial bulk mix that is comparable to the Wal-Mart box mix in both texture and flavor. I just don't want my customers to see me purchasing cake mix at WalMart. Some people have such a stigma about 'generic' or store brand products, or attitudes about Wal-Mart in general. I'd just rather avoid them knowing it if I can. That said, it is looking more and more like I will be using their product, so I'd better figure out how to handle running in to people now!

If you have a 24 hour Wal Mart, shop at 2 a.m. with dark glasses and a fake mustache.

Seriously...call the manager and explain that you'd like to begin buying it in bulk and see what he/she can arrange for you.

I worked for Walmart in mgmt for 8 yrs. All you have to do is call and ask for the Department mgr. or assistant mgr over grocery. Tell them that you would like to order cases of the Walmart brand cake mix. They should take your name and number and when they come in they will call you. Then when you come in they will just pull the cases out of the backroom. Usually, orders like this are checked out at customer service so not alot of ppl see. Just call and talk to them...they should be able to help you out!!

I use DAWN'S Deluxe White Cake Mix. You could try that and see if you like it.
It comes in 50# bags.

they have one at smart and final but i have not tried it.....you might check sams club if you have one near they might sell you what they get...they sell most of their supplies

i had no idea walmart had their own brand of cake mix... hmmm.... something to consider!

what flavors do they offer? and do walmarts with no grocery store in them carry them??

I read on here that you can order Duncan Hines by the case.
Jacqui

thanks! I will do that. Maybe I can get them to have my eggs and butter all ready to go at the same time, that would be nice! jenbenjr, thanks for providing the 'inside' scoop! LOL

I would do what jenbejr suggest. But, I'm also glad that other people think that Walmart cake mix brand is good. I doctor it up a bit, and it works great.

You're welcome!! Yes, you can also call and ask them to order cases of DH for you!!!! Anything like that can be ordered for you by the case.

Every Monday morning I see the owner of a local cake bakery in at WalMart with a cart load of cake mixes, eggs, etc. She orders them from the Assist. Manager in grocery and they have them ready for her. Her cake delivery van is parked in the parking lot too. Doesn't bother her...don't let it bother you!!

jescapades,
Mine is a Super Wal-Mart, and they carry Great Value cake mix in: White, Devils Food, Yellow & Butter Recipe Yellow. DH works near a non-grocery WalMart and he said that he's seen the white & devils food there, but no yellow.

I use the white as a base for a lot of my flavors, devils food, and butter yellow for my yellow & lemon. HTH!

indydebi- I agree! I have tried a couple of other box brands, and found the GV to work the best for me!

I was wondering about this too, not so much the walmart brand, but I shop for my mixes at walmarts, and when I do a large cake my basket is full of cake mixes....people just look kinda funny at me. I was wondering what I would do when my little company gets bigger and I have to buy more and more mixes at a time.....I'll call the mgr. and have them pull them for me....btw, I use enhanced mixes because my costumers grew up with that taste/texture and when I do make scratch my "ginny pigs" don't like the texture....go figure.

melody

i load up a couple times a week at wal mart...i used to go to the next town so no one would see...

but i don't care any more.

i think if ya'll do the math, you'll find wal mart can even be cheaper than the distributer, plus no stupid nasty salesman looking to price gouge at every chance.

plus DAWN'S warehouse in kansas city is teaming with bugs.

I'm with hhcakes, "THE" local baker here in town buys her DH mixes at WalMart. She has been around for 20+ years & no one knows the diff. Or, as you say, are used to the cakes, so they don't care.

Brenda

Wow, I never thought of using a store brand cake mix. I tried the Jiffy cake mix for class so I didn't have to spend a lot of money on cakes that we weren't going to actually eat. It didn't rise and was just horrible. I either bake from scratch or use a doctored Duncan Hines recipe. For those of you who use the Wal-Mart brand, please tell me about the quality, texture and taste of the cake. I think I may try that in the near future.

Right now we only have a regular Wal-Mart. I'm impatiently waiting for the Super Wal-Mart to be finished. It would be great to find a quality cake mix that won't cost you an arm and a leg. How is GV compared to DH, Pillsbury, or BC?

How about these links:

http://www.foodservicedirect.com/index.cfm/S/252/CLID/9/N/82448/Duncan_Hines_Cake_Mix.htm

http://www.buythecase.net/brand/Duncan%2BHines/20450/?engine=yahoo!4456&keyword=duncan+hines+cake+mix&OVRAW=duncan%20hines%20cake%20mix&OVKEY=duncan%20hines%20cake%20mix&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=3630744021&OVKWID=36123726521

When I have a cart load of mixes, eggs, pudding, etc and people ask me if I'm baking a bunch of cakes, I like to tell them....No, actually I'm making lasagna! Stupid questions sometimes just have to get stupid answers!

I've never used the GV mixes because I always assumed the other brands were better. So after reading all this, I'm assuming now that GV are really good? Is that what people prefer?

Personally IMO if you take the box and make it NOT according to the box it is scratch... you are saving time by not putting in soda, and sugar and flour and yada yada yada. I don't ever make a box mix as the box says too, I always DR it including adding flavor enhancers. Every single one of my customers swears I make from scratch and never believe it started from a DH box. There is nothing magic in a mix, it is just a short cut! So if you they see you in Wally's with 2 carts full of mixes, tell them they were on sale and you need to make a cake for you family hehehehehehehe they won't believe you but it will steer them from the subject. As long as people rave about your cakes, who cares where it the ingredients originate? As for the real scratch bakers out there... hats off to you, I just don't have patience for it, nor the storage! Oh and another thing... I do this at my local commissary (military grocery) but am sure you could do with Walmart or other places... Pillsbury puts out the seasonal mixes with sprinkles... once the holiday like halloween or easter are over I buy TONS of the cases.... they are usually on clearance. You just throw out the sprinkle packets and you have a white mix. Everything else I do is DH though... but for whites, it is usually a holiday mix... still working on my Valentine's cases, waiting to break in my Easter ones

When ever I have an order I run to the grocery store and pick up approx. 10-30 boxes of cake mix lol. I have a cabinet full as well as two moving boxes full of cake mixes lol.

When we were living at my parents we had to buy bags of ice - twice a week two bags each trip sometimes 3 times a week. They know my husband in every store as the "ice man" and they know me in every store as the "cake lady".

I get the looks and the little comments and the questions soon follow lol. I tell them I make and decorate cakes for a living and am also a SAHM&W and this is my way of making money. They see the tab sometimes in the $50-$100.~ range and they just look in shock at how much it does really cost lol. When I buy my mixes I normally buy everything else as well so I find an empty line and tell them I have ALOT of stuff lol they look, laugh and say ok. I have approx. 20 boxes of cake mix, 4 packs of 18 eggs, 3-4 containers of Crisco, and about 40 boxes of Powdered Sugar or 10-20 bags of PS. When they get done they ask if I need help loading my vehicle and I'll say sure since I have two carts now (isn't it funny it all fit in 1 before they bagged it nice and neatly and now it won't fit unless it's in 2 carts lol) and then they see I'm in a little car with my husband as well as my daughter and one small spot on the back seat and no room in the trunk lol.... Hubby gets to hold ALOT

I'm greatful for the info on calling Walmart and other stores for the bulk orders it will do alot for me Thanks everyone!

How about these links:

http://www.foodservicedirect.c.....ke_Mix.htm

http://www.buythecase.net/bran.....6123726521


I looked at these links and they charge $1.83 per box of DH mix if ordered in the case plus shipping...I will go to walmart and pay $.93 for mine.

I doctor the GV brand mix, and my customers LOVE it. It is a fine crumb, slightly dense cake the way I make it. I add a little extra vanilla too for the white. It's yummy, and my Wally world only charges 78 cents! Tellis12, I think you should try one!