My point was why be bent out of shape because the person announced that the OP baked from a box mix? She did. That's certainly not slander, it's the truth and the OP should stand behind her product and her decision to use it, but say it is what it is.
Most patrons would be very disappointed to find that the cake that they paid a premium for was actually a box. That is why it is so hush hush in the industry. Yes, I can tell the difference, and my customers can tell the difference in the taste of my cakes, but I don't believe they try to decide if it's box or scratch.
With many states starting to require labeling, this one of very few unlabeled food will finally be brought into the realm of public knowledge. Very few get by with not disclosing their ingredients. The time is coming. And with scratch artisan bakers popping up everywhere in the bulging industry, you can bet that they, like me, will tell all clients that they are the only scratch baker in the area if it is true.
I have no problem with how anyone bakes. My prices have to be so high that my products are out of the reach of mainstream consumers. Being more economical is what makes up that biggest portion of the industry. But I do hate the ones who lie and I point it out. We have two in our area. The other bakers, I will refer to if I can't accomodate the order. One states her recipes are passed down from "Grandma", when, in fact, she gets everything from Walmart and resells it. The other boasts gourmet fine ingredients and no real chocolate, caramel, cream cheese, etc., has ever been through her door. She uses cheap box mixes, those super sweet sleeves, fake chocolate, fake vanilla, the Wilton-type frosting... you get my point. There is nothing fine or gourmet about anything she uses. The words are there solely to get a higher price for an inferior product. Look up the two words and gourmet and fine have no place in her advertising. Now, if someone uses those same ingredients and boasts they bake fresh, moist, great tasting cakes, I'm fine with that. I am sure that they have many clients who feel that that is true.
So I guess my point is that those who bake from a box, don't get offended and stand by your product. I have always told my husband that I could open another bakery across town selling only doctored mixes and do well also. But I would be up front about it. There are many great selling points to these cakes. But I am not referring to the ones with fake cream, bottled flavorings, Jello puddings, etc. I mean the ones with better ingredients. If you can't disclose your ingredients to a customer, that is unfair. But soon, that label will provide full disclosure.
Not putting down the box, but be proud of your products, stand by them, and be very honest with your customers.
And this is not about healthy eating habits. It's about eating well.
, and can be halved or doubled.
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