To Tell Or Not To Tell....

Decorating By shelie Updated 20 Oct 2006 , 1:54pm by thecakemaker

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shelie Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 1:20am
post #1 of 22

Okay...if we are using a doctered cake mix...and we are asked if it is home made or from scratch what do we say? I wanted to know what you all say? Is it wrong to say it is home made when it is a boxed cake? Just wondering...icon_smile.gif

21 replies
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TandTHarrell Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 1:23am
post #2 of 22

yeah thats a good question....

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marcimang Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 1:23am
post #3 of 22

well are you making this in your home? Hahaha

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moydear77 Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 1:25am
post #4 of 22

I say can you tell the difference?

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jillchap Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 1:26am
post #5 of 22

i think if it came right down to it you could say that a box cake mix was an "ingredient" in your cake, along with many other things...

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angelas2babies Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 1:27am
post #6 of 22

I think you can never go wrong if you just tell the truth. "I start with a box mix that I add different ingredients to" works well. This day, with all the food allergies, you need to be up front with what your cakes are made out of. That aside, when you're selling cakes, you should be honest about what you're using. Besides, it's not a bad thing to use a mix.

Good luck with your decision!
Angie

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lilie Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 1:37am
post #7 of 22

My sister thought the homemade was boxed and the boxed was homemade!
Ask them if they can tell.
Then maybe tell them the truth.

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subaru Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 1:38am
post #8 of 22

It's best to be honest. I tell them I "Doctor-up a mix , then proceed to tell them what I doctor it up with.

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thyterrell Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 1:55am
post #9 of 22

I agree with the honesty approach. I would never tell someone it was homemade if it were not. I always tell people that I start with a box mix, but usually only tell them what I add if they ask.

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LucyintheSky Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 2:12am
post #10 of 22

I agree that you should be honest about it. Most boxed mixes taste so good that people don't know the difference anyway. ALL my box mix cakes taste better and moister than any I make from scratch (of course, maybe that's just my lack of baking skills, lol). For that reason, I would prefer to know when a cake is from scratch and when it is a mix.

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CupCake13 Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 2:30am
post #11 of 22

My Wilton instructor says tell em it's "baked with love" and then say nothing more. LOLOL

I always chuckle when I think of that.

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heavenscent Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 2:39am
post #12 of 22

I would say it's a started with a mix but that it's had other things added etc. I would go with the whole if they dont ask dont offer. Hope that helps

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tcturtleshell Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 2:40am
post #13 of 22

I like what Cupcake13 said! LOL

People usually don't ask me that question though. If they do I'd tell them I doctor up my good ole' Duncan Hines mixes. If they want scratch I'll do scratch but unless they ask I won't. icon_smile.gif

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7yyrt Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 3:44am
post #14 of 22

Depending on the type of cake I either make from scratch or use a doctored cake mix. If anyone asks, I tell them. No biggie.

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JanH Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 6:44am
post #15 of 22

There was a previous thread on this, that I just don't have time to find now...

However, the poster said that she replied that she used a commercial base (boxed cake mix) to which she added her own creative touches icon_biggrin.gif

At least, that's pretty much what I remember icon_redface.gif

HTH

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crylynn Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 6:57am
post #16 of 22

I do tell people that I used a box mix, and that I add my own secret ingredient, and then add that it is NOT a box of pudding mix! Everyone always thinks that is the way to get a good moist cake when that is just not true. Everyone who has eaten my cakes loves them, and a few people when they find out it is a box mix (who did not know about my secret ingredient speil) ask if I added pudding mix to it and when I tell them no, they are surprised that the cake came out so moist without it! Just goes to show that there are many once a year cake baker people out there that have the mix, and the box, but just don't follow the directions on the back.

My $0.02

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mbelgard Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 7:00am
post #17 of 22

I'd say tell them the truth, if your cakes are good they won't care what you use.
I use undocotored BC mix for my cakes and I haven't sold very many but I've been honest. Last night I was at a big dinner where a cake of mine was served and someone who had bought a cake from me before said they didn't know what I did to a mix but my cakes were very good. thumbs_up.gif The funny part to me was that this woman is a home ec teacher and she can't figure out how my cakes turn out so good.

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springlakecake Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 12:24pm
post #18 of 22

I wouldnt lie about it. But it is still homemade, just not from scratch. I tell people I use a box mix as a base for the flavor, then I add many superior ingredients than what a boxed mix calls for.

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Yjudania Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 1:30pm
post #19 of 22

I think you should tell the truth. If the person is asking when they are deciding if they want you to make the cake, you should definitely be honest. Some people have sensitive tastebuds and can tell the difference between scratch and box. I am that way. Also, some people might just want to know what they are paying for.

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GeminiKim Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 1:35pm
post #20 of 22

I would say that its a box mix with a little somethin special that I add to make it my own!

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bethola Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 1:44pm
post #21 of 22

When asked if I use boxed mix my standard reply is "It depends what kind of cake you want." Truthfully, sometimes I DO bake from scratch, but, have found that a "doctored" cake mix is easier and more predictable than scratch. Plus, it's FUN "playing" with the mix to see how many different textures and flavors you can get! Besides, I watched a recent episode of "Top Chef" and they used Betty Crocker White Cake Mix for a Wedding Reception Challenge. Harold (who ended up WINNING) told the judges that he had used cake mix in the past without any complaints! So, I figure if a TOP CHEF can do it?????

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thecakemaker Posted 20 Oct 2006 , 1:54pm
post #22 of 22

When asked I tell them that the base for my cake is a boxed mix.

Debbie

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