# Duncan Hines Classic Cake Mix, Butter Golden > 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-classic-cake-mix-butter-golden-1525-oz - **Slug:** `duncan-hines-classic-cake-mix-butter-golden-1525-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods This boxed cake mix contains many industrial ingredients (emulsifiers, gums, artificial flavorings, refined sugars and oils) and is a ready-formulation product, fitting the NOVA definition of ultra-processed foods. ## Review Duncan Hines Classic Cake Mix, Butter Golden (15.25 oz) sits on the supermarket baking aisle, shelved alongside other boxed cake mixes, frostings, and packaged dessert mixes. You’ll find it near shelf-stable baking staples like flour, sugar, vanilla extract, and boxed brownie mixes — the family baking zone. This mix is pitched for quick celebrations and everyday baking: think last-minute birthday cakes, holiday layer cakes, weekend cupcakes, or a simple after-dinner dessert when you want something home-baked without starting from scratch. The Duncan Hines brand carries a long-standing American heritage positioning — approachable, dependable, and family-friendly — aimed at busy parents, home bakers who value convenience, and nostalgic shoppers who remember boxed mixes from childhood. Marketing emphasizes ease and consistent results (“Perfectly Moist”), and the product copy leans into celebration moments and creativity (cupcakes, cake pops). Label characteristics include a clear brand logo, serving suggestions, and a kosher certification; there are no organic claims, and “natural flavor” appears in the ingredient list, but the mix also contains artificial flavor and multiple emulsifiers and stabilizers. Health-halo cues are subtle — “butter golden” suggests a buttery home-baked outcome even though the ingredient list relies on oils and additives. In plain processing terms, this is a highly processed, shelf-stable convenience product: a powdered mix formulated to produce a consistent cake when combined with water, eggs, and butter. Sensory notes: the batter is smooth and velvety, producing a moist, fine-crumb golden cake with a soft mouthfeel; packaging is a printed cardboard box with preparation instructions — a familiar baking ritual of measuring, mixing, and popping into the oven. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 0.1 - **Servings per container:** 10 - **Calories:** 170 - **Total fat:** 1.5g (2% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 0g (0% DV) - **Sodium:** 340mg (15% DV) - **Total carbs:** 37g (13% DV) - **Total sugars:** 21g - **Added sugars:** 21g (42% DV) - **Protein:** 1g ## Ingredients Sugar, Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour (Bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Leavening (Sodium Bicarbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Less than 2% of: Wheat Starch, Canola Oil, Salt, Dextrose, Propylene Glycol Mono-and Diesters, Mono- and Diglycerides, Palm Oil, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbic Acid, Natural Flavor, Gum Arabic, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Artificial Flavor, Sodium Ascorbate, Beta Carotene (Color), Mixed Tocopherols (Antioxidant). ## Flagged ingredients - **Canola Oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Palm 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 - **Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Beta Carotene** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** holiday-baking, birthday-party, weekend-brunch - **Vibes:** nostalgic, convenient, indulgent ## FAQ ### Is the Butter Golden cake mix healthy? Well, that depends on your definition of healthy! The Butter Golden mix is a fun and convenient option for a treat, but it’s high in sugar and low in fiber and protein. If you're looking for a dessert that's more nutrient-dense, you might want to consider options with whole grains or less added sugar. ### Is the Butter Golden mix vegan? Nope, this cake mix isn't vegan. It contains ingredients like enriched bleached wheat flour, which typically uses dairy derivatives in the enrichment process. So if you're avoiding animal products, you might want to look for a dedicated vegan cake mix instead. ### Is it gluten-free? Unfortunately, the Butter Golden mix is not gluten-free. It's made with enriched bleached wheat flour, which means it's packed with gluten. If you're following a gluten-free diet, there are plenty of great gluten-free cake mixes available that can satisfy your sweet tooth! ### Does the Butter Golden mix contain seed oils? Yes, it does contain canola oil, which is a type of seed oil. While some folks prefer to avoid seed oils due to their processing methods, canola oil is commonly used in baking for its neutral flavor and ability to keep baked goods moist. It's all about finding the balance that works for you! ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, the Butter Golden mix doesn't include any artificial sweeteners. Instead, it's sweetened with good old-fashioned sugar, which is great if you prefer a more traditional taste in your baked goods. Just keep in mind that it does have a high sugar content overall! ### Is the Butter Golden mix high in sugar? Yes, it definitely falls into the high-sugar category! With 21 grams of added sugars per serving, it's more of a dessert than a health food. If you're watching your sugar intake, maybe save this one for special occasions! ### What are some healthier alternatives to the Butter Golden mix? If you're looking for healthier options, consider using whole grain flours or mixes with less added sugar. Brands that focus on natural ingredients or even homemade mixes using bananas or applesauce can also be a great way to control what goes into your cake, while still keeping it delicious! ### Can kids eat the Butter Golden mix? Absolutely! The Butter Golden mix is perfect for kids' birthday parties or family gatherings. Just keep an eye on sugar intake overall, as it can add up quickly, especially if they’re having cake more than once in a day. ### Is it good for weight loss? Not really! The Butter Golden mix is more of an indulgent treat than a weight-loss-friendly option, thanks to its high sugar content and low protein. If you're on a weight loss journey, you might want to save this for a special occasion rather than a regular snack. ### Is the Butter Golden cake mix ultra-processed? Yes, it can be considered ultra-processed. With a long list of ingredients, including additives and preservatives, it doesn't quite fit the 'minimally processed' category. But hey, sometimes we all need a little convenience in our lives, and that's okay! ## Related products - [Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil 8.4 fl oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/filippo-berio-extra-virgin-olive-oil-84-fl-oz-840-oz) (NOVA 2) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/filippo-berio-extra-virgin-olive-oil-84-fl-oz-840-oz - [Arm & Hammer Baking Soda](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/arm-hammer-baking-soda-64-oz) (NOVA 2) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/arm-hammer-baking-soda-64-oz - [Badia Seasoning Pumpkin Pie Spice Ground Jar](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/badia-seasoning-pumpkin-pie-spice-ground-jar-2-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/badia-seasoning-pumpkin-pie-spice-ground-jar-2-oz - [McCormick Oregano Leaves](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mccormick-oregano-leaves-075-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mccormick-oregano-leaves-075-oz - [Duncan Hines Cake Mix, Dark Chocolate Fudge](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/duncan-hines-cake-mix-dark-chocolate-fudge-1525-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/duncan-hines-cake-mix-dark-chocolate-fudge-1525-oz - [Royal Gelatin, Cherry](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/royal-gelatin-cherry-141-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/royal-gelatin-cherry-141-oz - [Pascha Chocolate Chips SemiSweet Dark](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/pascha-chocolate-chips-semisweet-dark-880-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/pascha-chocolate-chips-semisweet-dark-880-oz - [HERSHEY'S Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Chips Bag, 12 oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/hersheys-mini-semi-sweet-chocolate-baking-chips-bag-12-oz-115-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/hersheys-mini-semi-sweet-chocolate-baking-chips-bag-12-oz-115-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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