# Duncan Hines Signature Layer Cake Mix, Spice > 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-signature-layer-cake-mix-spice-1525-oz - **Slug:** `duncan-hines-signature-layer-cake-mix-spice-1525-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods The mix contains refined flour and sugar plus multiple industrial additives (emulsifiers, gums, stabilizers, processed oils and acidulants) and is a ready-to-use packaged product, fitting the ultraprocessed category. ## Review Duncan Hines Signature Layer Cake Mix, Spice sits on the supermarket baking aisle alongside other boxed cake mixes, frostings, and packaged dessert mixes — often near chocolate chips, boxed pudding and holiday baking staples. It’s the kind of product shoppers grab for occasions like birthdays, potlucks, holiday baking and easy weekend desserts. The brand positions itself as a reliable, all-American baking classic: familiar, family-oriented and aimed at busy home bakers who want consistent results without starting from scratch. Packaging leans on a warm, homey aesthetic and comfort-food language rather than health claims; you’ll see no organic seals, but the box may highlight spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and the “Perfectly Moist” benefit. Ingredients and label styling create a mild health halo (kosher certification, flavor descriptors) but there are no “natural” or organic certifications listed. In plain terms this is a processed baking mix — a packaged convenience product that combines refined flour, sugar and several emulsifiers, leavening agents and gums to simplify baking. Sensory expectations: the batter mixes to a smooth, velvety texture and bakes into a tender, moist crumb with warm spice notes; finished cake is soft, slightly dense and sweet, suited to cream cheese or buttercream frosting. The box format is a single-use paperboard pouch of dry mix; ritual use is straightforward — add water, eggs and oil, stir, pour and bake — which makes it a go-to for quick celebration cakes, last-minute desserts and cooks who prefer predictable outcomes. Culturally, it evokes childhood birthdays, church socials and weekday dessert convenience in American grocery life. ## 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:** 360mg (16% DV) - **Total carbs:** 36g (13% DV) - **Total sugars:** 18g - **Added sugars:** 18g (36% DV) - **Protein:** 1g ## Ingredients Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour (Bleached Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Leavening (Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Wheat Starch, Less than 2% of: Canola Oil, Spice, Salt, Propylene Glycol Mono- and Diesters, Mono- and Diglycerides, Caramel Color, Palm Oil, 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 - **Palm Oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Mono- and Diglycerides** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Caramel Color** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** holiday-baking, weekend-brunch, movie-night - **Vibes:** nostalgic, convenient, comforting ## FAQ ### Is the Spice Cake Mix healthy? Well, 'healthy' can be a bit subjective! The Spice Cake Mix has a fair amount of sugar (18g per serving) and sodium (360mg), so it’s definitely more of a treat than a health food. If you’re enjoying it in moderation as part of a balanced diet, it can fit in just fine — think of it as an occasional indulgence rather than a daily staple. ### Is it vegan? Nope, the Spice Cake Mix isn’t vegan. It contains enriched bleached wheat flour, which may have been processed with animal-derived ingredients, and it doesn’t explicitly say 'vegan' on the label. So if you’re following a strict vegan diet, you might want to skip this one. ### Is it gluten-free? This one's a no-go for gluten-free diets! The main ingredient is enriched bleached wheat flour, which means it contains gluten. If you're avoiding gluten for health reasons, there are plenty of gluten-free cake mixes out there that can satisfy your sweet tooth. ### Does it contain seed oils? Yes, it does contain canola oil, which is a type of seed oil. Seed oils like canola are often used in baking mixes for their light flavor and ability to keep baked goods moist. While some folks are concerned about seed oils, they're generally considered safe in moderation — it just depends on your personal dietary preferences. ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, this Spice Cake Mix does not have any artificial sweeteners. It gets its sweetness from regular sugar, which is something many people prefer when baking. So, you can enjoy the classic taste without worrying about those sugar substitutes! ### Is it high in sugar? Yes, it’s on the higher side of the sugar scale, with 18g of total sugars per serving. If you’re watching your sugar intake, this mix might not be the best fit for you, especially if you plan to add frosting or toppings that can boost the sugar content even more. ### What are some healthier alternatives? If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, consider exploring mixes that are lower in sugar or made with whole grains. Brands that focus on organic or gluten-free ingredients might also be a good fit. You could even try making a homemade cake using natural sweeteners like bananas or applesauce for a more wholesome option! ### Can kids eat it? Absolutely! Kids can enjoy the Spice Cake Mix, especially if you’re baking it for a special occasion. Just keep in mind the sugar content — moderation is key. It’s a fun way to involve them in baking, and who doesn’t love a warm slice of spice cake? ### Is it good for weight loss? If you're on a weight loss journey, this mix might not be the best choice. It's relatively high in sugar and calories, which can add up quickly, especially if you indulge frequently. However, if you incorporate it occasionally into a balanced diet, it can still be enjoyed without derailing your goals. ### Is it ultra-processed? Yes, the Spice Cake Mix falls into the ultra-processed category. It contains several ingredients that you might not have in your pantry, like propylene glycol mono- and diesters and caramel color. While ultra-processed foods can be convenient and tasty, it's always a good idea to enjoy them in moderation and balance them with whole, minimally processed foods. ## Related products - [Guittard Chocolate Extra Dark Chocolate Chip](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/guittard-chocolate-extra-dark-chocolate-chip-1150-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/guittard-chocolate-extra-dark-chocolate-chip-1150-oz - [Jell-O Chocolate Flavor Zero Sugar Cook & Serve Reduced Calorie Pudding & Pie Filling Mix, 1.3 oz Box](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/jell-o-chocolate-flavor-zero-sugar-cook-serve-reduced-calorie-pudding-pie-filling-mix-13-oz-box-130-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/jell-o-chocolate-flavor-zero-sugar-cook-serve-reduced-calorie-pudding-pie-filling-mix-13-oz-box-130-oz - [Red Star Yeast, Instant, Quick Rise 0.25 oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/red-star-yeast-instant-quick-rise-025-oz-075-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/red-star-yeast-instant-quick-rise-025-oz-075-oz - [4 C Crumbs, Gluten Free, Seasoned 12 oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/4c-4-c-crumbs-gluten-free-seasoned-12-oz-12-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/4c-4-c-crumbs-gluten-free-seasoned-12-oz-12-oz - [Krusteaz Cinnamon Crumb Cake & Muffin Mix](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/krusteaz-cinnamon-crumb-cake-muffin-mix-21-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/krusteaz-cinnamon-crumb-cake-muffin-mix-21-oz - [Spice Classics, Ground Cinnamon](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/spice-classics-classics-ground-cinnamon-237-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/spice-classics-classics-ground-cinnamon-237-oz - [McCormick Whole Black Peppercorns](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mccormick-mccormick-whole-black-peppercorns-350-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mccormick-mccormick-whole-black-peppercorns-350-oz - [McCormick Marinades Grill Mates Marinade Mix Mesquite](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mccormick-mccormick-marinades-grill-mates-marinade-mix-mesquite-106-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mccormick-mccormick-marinades-grill-mates-marinade-mix-mesquite-106-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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