Trader Joe’s Just Launched a Funfetti-Inspired Baking Mix — So, of Course, I Had to Try It

As someone who observes something I’ve coined “birthday life” (a never-ending extension of “birthday week,” because why not?), there’s very little that stops me from celebrating, well, anything and everything. So there was no question I was absolutely going to grab a box of Trader Joe’s newest cake mix clearly inspired by confetti-style cakes. 

If you, too, find nostalgia incredibly delicious, this cake mix will transport you right back to afternoons of jumping in bouncy houses at your friends’ birthday parties, hyped on sugar and life. After one sprinkled slice, I had a pavlovian response that made me wonder if I should go get my face-painted or wear mood rings. Best of all, this cake mix isn’t just for cake (or even cupcakes), and proves that you really can (and should) Funfetti-fy everything. 

I love doctoring a cake mix to make cookies, ice cream, and even biscotti, but for the purposes of science, I followed the directions provided. What sets this mix apart from others is that it’s truly a complete cake mix, and includes both the frosting mix as well as plenty of sprinkles for decorating the cake. You just need to add the wet ingredients (butter, oil, eggs) and all systems are a go.

And let it be said: It also makes a pretty sizable cake and plenty of frosting. I baked the mix in a Bundt pan to really add to the nostalgic cake theme, but it would also fare well (and includes box instructions for) other cake pan sizes, as well as cupcakes, and a cake pop option. 

What immediately struck me, especially as someone who prefers homemade cakes, is how it tasted more semi-homemade than typical boxed mixes. Not overwhelmingly sweet, with a kid- and adult-approved level of vanilla, this cake earned major points before I even got to frosting it. Even the cake mix itself struck the ideal ratio of sprinkles to cake mix, yielding a cake with a perfect little constellation of rainbow sprinkles in each slice.

That being said, I do wish the frosting mix had a bit more depth to it. It’s actually just a bag of straight-up powdered sugar which, combined with butter, makes a very standard buttercream frosting. Next time I buy this mix, I may just use the provided powdered sugar to make a simple glaze for drizzling, add more vanilla extract, or add a few tablespoons of heavy whipping cream to add lightness and fluff to the buttercream. Still, there’s very little that sprinkles can’t improve and this convenient cake mix is well worth celebrating during your own “birthday life” or any ordinary Tuesday. 

Find it in stores: Trader Joe’s Chromatic Celebration Cake & Baking Mix, $4.99 for 28.22 ounces

Have you tried this cake? Tell us about it in the comments below.