# Duncan Hines Cake Mix, Dark Chocolate Fudge > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Duncan Hines - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Cooking & Baking - **Size:** 15.25 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/duncan-hines-cake-mix-dark-chocolate-fudge-1525-oz - **Slug:** `duncan-hines-cake-mix-dark-chocolate-fudge-1525-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods This boxed cake mix contains refined flours, added sugars, processed cocoa and multiple industrial additives (emulsifiers, gums, processed starches), consistent with ultra-processed (NOVA 4) products designed for convenience and long shelf life. ## Review Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix is a familiar boxed-bakery staple tucked on supermarket baking aisles alongside other cake mixes, frostings, chocolate chips and packaged icings. Shoppers will spot it near pantry essentials — flours, sugars and boxed dessert kits — where parents, home bakers and party planners shop for quick, celebratory solutions. The brand leans on convenience and nostalgia: marketed as "Perfectly Moist," it evokes childhood birthday cakes and last-minute desserts while signaling an easy, dependable result for busy households. The packaging is a cardboard box with an inner mix packet (typical of cake mixes) and carries a certified Kosher mark and the small print list of ingredients, including a “natural flavor.” Label language emphasizes moistness and ease rather than health or organic credentials; there are no organic or non-GMO certifications and the product contains several functional additives. In plain processing context, this mix is an industrially formulated packaged product that includes refined flours, sugars, emulsifiers and stabilizers. Sensory expectations: when baked as directed with water, egg whites and oil, it yields a tender, velvety dark chocolate crumb and a moist mouthfeel with a pronounced sweet cocoa note from alkalized cocoa. The experience is ritualistic — measuring, stirring, pouring into a pan and savoring the comforting aroma wafting from the oven — and lends itself to layered cakes, cupcakes, cake pops or quick dessert improvisations. It plays a strong role in American at-home celebrations, last-minute entertaining and any occasion that values speed and predictability over from-scratch baking. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian - Dairy-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 0.1 - **Servings per container:** 10 - **Calories:** 170 - **Total fat:** 2g (3% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 0.5g (3% DV) - **Sodium:** 490mg (21% DV) - **Total carbs:** 35g (13% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 2g (7% DV) - **Total sugars:** 18g - **Added sugars:** 18g (36% DV) - **Protein:** 2g ## Ingredients Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour (Bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Cocoa Powder (Processed with Alkali), Dextrose, Leavening (Sodium Bicarbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Less than 2% of: Wheat Starch, Canola Oil, Salt, Carob Powder, Propylene Glycol Mono- and Diesters, Palm Oil, Mono- and Diglycerides, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbic Acid, Natural Flavor. ## Flagged ingredients - **Canola Oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Mono- and Diglycerides** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Propylene Glycol Mono- and Diesters** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier ## Context tags - **Occasions:** holiday-baking, movie-night, back-to-school - **Vibes:** nostalgic, indulgent, convenient, comforting ## FAQ ### Is the Dark Chocolate Fudge cake mix healthy? Well, 'healthy' can mean different things to different people! This cake mix is higher in sugar—around 18 grams per serving—so it's definitely not a health food. But if you're looking for a quick, delicious dessert option, it's certainly a fun treat to indulge in every now and then! ### Is the Dark Chocolate Fudge cake mix vegan? Nope, this cake mix isn’t vegan-friendly. It contains enriched bleached wheat flour, which often includes ingredients derived from animals, like certain vitamins. If you’re on a vegan diet, you might want to look for a dedicated vegan cake mix instead! ### Is the Dark Chocolate Fudge cake mix gluten-free? Unfortunately, this cake mix contains wheat flour, so it’s a no-go for gluten-free diets. If you’re avoiding gluten, there are some great gluten-free cake mixes out there that can satisfy your chocolate cravings without the gluten! ### Does it contain seed oils? Yes, this cake mix contains canola oil, which is a type of seed oil. Seed oils can be a bit controversial, but in moderation, they’re often used for their ability to help create a moist cake without overpowering the flavor. So, it’s all about balance! ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, you won’t find any artificial sweeteners in this cake mix! It relies on good old sugar for sweetness, which many people prefer when it comes to baking. Just remember to enjoy it in moderation! ### Is the Dark Chocolate Fudge cake mix high in sugar? Yes, this cake mix is on the high side with 18 grams of sugar per serving. If you're keeping an eye on your sugar intake, you might want to save this for special occasions rather than everyday baking! ### What are healthier alternatives to the Dark Chocolate Fudge cake mix? If you’re looking for a healthier twist, try a whole grain or almond flour cake mix, or even a mix that uses natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey. There are also recipes online for homemade mixes that let you control the ingredients—plus, you get the joy of baking from scratch! ### Can kids eat the Dark Chocolate Fudge cake mix? Absolutely! Kids will love the rich chocolate flavor, and it can be a fun baking activity to do together. Just keep an eye on portion sizes, especially since it’s higher in sugar—balance is key! ### Is the Dark Chocolate Fudge cake mix good for weight loss? While this cake mix isn’t specifically designed for weight loss, enjoying it occasionally as part of a balanced diet is totally fine! Just remember that it’s higher in sugar, so if you're watching your calorie intake, you might want to indulge in moderation. ### Is the Dark Chocolate Fudge cake mix ultra-processed? Yes, this cake mix falls into the ultra-processed category, as it contains a range of ingredients that have been significantly modified from their original form. But hey, ultra-processed doesn’t mean it’s bad! 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