Cake or cupcake, white with white icing, from mix
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A quintessential celebration treat, this is a light, airy white cake made from a box mix, topped with a thick, sweet layer of white frosting. Its texture is typically soft and spongy, offering a mild, sweet vanilla flavor that serves as a blank canvas for decorations. Nutritionally, it is a high-energy food, primarily composed of carbohydrates and sugar, with a relatively low protein content.
Calorie split: 3% protein · 61% carbs · 36% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for its nostalgic, comforting sweetness and its role as the default choice for birthdays, weddings, and other celebrations. Its simple, familiar flavor and soft texture make it a crowd-pleaser that pairs well with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar and refined carbohydrate content can lead to rapid blood-sugar spikes and subsequent crashes, making it a poor choice for those managing diabetes or seeking sustained energy. To mitigate this, pair a small slice with a source of protein (like nuts or Greek yogurt) or healthy fat (like avocado) to slow sugar absorption, and practice strict portion control. Additionally, the mix may contain common allergens like wheat, eggs, and soy.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates.
- Offers a convenient and consistent baking result from a mix.
- Serves as a versatile base for creative decoration and flavor additions.
- Often used as a centerpiece for celebrations and social gatherings.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The boxed cake mix was popularized in the 1940s by General Mills, who initially included powdered eggs and milk in the mix, but later removed them to require fresh eggs and milk, which actually increased sales by making home bakers feel more involved in the process.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 27.8 g |
| Energy | 353 kcal |
| Protein | 2.6 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 14.2 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 53.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.40 g |
| Total Sugars | 39.3 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 76.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.94 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 5.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 129 mg |
| Potassium, K | 44.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 325 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.26 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 4.6 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.07 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.23 mg |
| Niacin | 0.76 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.03 mg |
| Folate, total | 25.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 13.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 12.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 34.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 33.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.13 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 21.0 ug |
| Retinol | 21.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 58.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.0 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 11.6 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.8 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.2 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.58 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.9 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.12 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.7 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 5.5 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 4.9 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.60 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 47.0 mg |
FAQ
How does the nutritional profile differ from a from-scratch cake?
Box mix cakes often have a similar or slightly higher sugar and fat content than homemade versions, but they may contain more preservatives and stabilizers. The protein content is typically low in both, unless enriched with ingredients like nuts or whole grains.
Can I make it healthier?
Yes, you can reduce sugar by using a smaller amount of frosting, add fruit or nuts for fiber and protein, or substitute some flour with whole-grain options. However, the base mix is still high in refined carbs.
Is it suitable for a vegan diet?
Most standard box mixes contain eggs, milk, and sometimes butter, so they are not vegan. However, there are vegan-friendly mixes available, or you can adapt recipes using plant-based substitutes.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.53 kcal/g · 3% calories from protein · 0.4 g fiber · 39.3 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 7.39 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.