These Are the Boxed Mixes Pastry Chefs Secretly Love (And Use at Home)
Some secrets are just too good to keep—like the boxed mixes pastry chefs love when they’re off the clock. These picks save time, still taste incredible, and don’t require a dozen specialty ingredients. Even the pros know there’s no shame in reaching for a shortcut that works. These boxed mixes are smart, reliable, and have passed the most critical kitchen tests. So yes, that store-bought mix hiding in your pantry might actually be chef-approved.
Cafe Du Monde Beignet Mix
Straight from New Orleans legend to your deep fryer, this mix is the shortcut even chefs won’t side-eye. With just water and hot oil, you’re minutes from pillow-soft beignets that rival what’s served in the French Quarter. Powdered sugar avalanche optional—but encouraged.
Betty Crocker Super Moist Cake Mixes
Even pros keep a box of Betty tucked away in the pantry. Known for its foolproof fluff and unbeatable moisture, this mix bakes up like you spent all day in the kitchen—even when you barely broke a sweat. Pastry chefs love it for reliable results when time’s tight but standards are high.
Duncan Hines Red Velvet cake
This boxed classic has a permanent place in some pastry kitchens for one reason: it nails the iconic flavor and hue every time. With rich cocoa notes and a velvety crumb, chefs use it as a base for everything from layer cakes to red velvet whoopie pies—and no one’s the wiser.
Ghirardelli Brownie Mix
Chefs may never admit it out loud, but this mix is their go-to when the craving for gooey, fudgy brownies hits hard and fast. Real Ghirardelli chocolate chips bring serious depth, and the results? As rich and indulgent as anything you’d charge $6 a square for.
Pillsbury “Funfetti” Cake Mix
Don’t let the rainbow sprinkles fool you—chefs know Funfetti is serious birthday magic. With its nostalgic charm and crowd-pleasing flavor, this cheerful mix gets pro approval for making celebration cakes that are just plain fun (and impossible to mess up).
Foodstirs Organic Simply Sweet Vanilla Cake
This mix wins points with chefs who want clean ingredients without sacrificing flavor. It’s lightly sweet, delightfully fluffy, and tastes like something you’d actually make from scratch—because technically, you did… with a little help. Organic, non-GMO, and low-fuss? Yes, please.
Cissé Chocolate Cake
For the chocolate snob who also happens to be a busy baker, Cissé delivers. Made with fair trade cocoa and Madagascar vanilla, this mix checks all the gourmet boxes—organic, non-GMO, and deeply chocolatey. It’s basically the ethical shortcut to a bakery-worthy cake.
