I know this is what Wilton instructors use and a lot of you CC people use. But I have had horrible luck! It always ends up dry and flavorless, even when doctored! Does anyone else have this problem? I will only use pillsbury from now on. I had to give away a cake the other day because the customer hated the way it tasted. I had to buy the mix in a pinch because the store was out of my usual. Does anyone have any idea what I did wrong?

Hmmm? I use it all the time with awesome results!!

What flavor was the cake? I have used the dh yellow/chocolate marble mix and it was horrible tasting to me.

I use dh for most flavors and I haven't had any problems. I do check the best used by date and sometimes I have switched to betty crocker mix if the dates are fresh enough for me.

Hope this helps.

What do you mix in? I use instant pudding and different flavorings. Should I be adding any extra eggs or water?
When I do Pillsbury it is so moist!

I use DH and this is what I put in it and I have no complaints...

DH mix
4 eggs
1 box of instant pudding
1 cup of water
1/2 cup of oil

The only one I don't do this with is the Butter Cake.....I just follow the directions on the box

HTH

Dh works well for me - to the mix I add

1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water/milk
1/2 cup oil
1 pkg pudding mix
3 eggs

Pillsbury and Betty Crocker are made by the same company and both already have pudding in the mix. DH does not.

I prefer the two with pudding in the mix because I know my cakes will always be moist. And why pay more if you have to buy the pudding separately to add. Hope this helps.

I ALWAYS use DH, and have never had a problem....

I also use DH and have never had a problem. On the other hand, I don't use Pillsbury because I don't like the taste. Aren't I odd?

Thanks so much for all of the tips. I am going to try again. The sour cream idea sounds good. I am going to try both Shyanne_mommy and christy633's method.

Funny! Duncan Hines in Canada has pudding in the mix

I can't imagine why you're having a problem. I use DH alot and have never had a prolem. I hope your next try is better.

are you using the one that has butter in it?? i actually do not.. and seldom do i doctor mine.. however.. i mix my longer than required AND i cook mine at a lower temp for longer.. never above 350... chocolate has to cook a little longer as its very moist.. i also freeze my cakes a day before i work on them and they are so moist sometimes they fall apart while cutting them.. never had a single complaint.. everyone compliments how moist and rich the flavors are.

I just tell my brides that they really need to use a sharp knife to cut and serve their cakes because they are so moist and crumbly. A good slice is all in the sharpness of the knife.

sandeeb

I am a Wilton instructor and I have seen many times crumbling cakes made with DH...Now i tell my students to ue Pillsbury with pudding in the mix..Seems to be a lot stronger than DH

Pillsbury and Betty Crocker, IMHO, dont compare to DH.. I wont use anything other than DH when using mixes...

I use Duncan Hines usually because it has pudding in it like Giggysmack has said because I am here in Canada also. I find it bakes better than the Betty Crocker, but that is just me!!

You could do the Sour Cream Almond Cake recipe that is on this site. It is to die for and it is moist yet a heavier cake then the typical cake mix that you buy. You do have to use the boxed cake mix and then you add the rest of the ingredients. I would give it try and you could use a different flavoring than almond just so you know, incase of nut allergies.

I've been so puzzled when I've read about people having trouble with DH. My baker used only DH at her bakery, and I was hooked from the moment I walked in. DH cakes smell amazing when they bake! My wedding cake got so many raves. From then on, I only bought DH whenever I was using a mix. The funny thing was, even when I went to a lot of trouble to make an especially wonderful scratch cake, I never got more praise than for Duncan Heinz. Whether it is my side of the family, my husband's side, the folks at church, my kid's friends, our friends...it is always the same reaction. People seem to not just like DH, but they love it.

I've been married almost 25 years. I think I've mostly used their butter cake, white cake, and devils food. They are very moist cakes every time.

So, what is the difference in the way our cakes turn out? I'm truly puzzled.

I used DH for the last 2 weddings I did. I will never use DH again. I am true believer of using Pilsbury or BC or I will make it from scratch before I ever use a DH cake mix. My most recent wedding was the worst ever. I pulled it together in the end and came out with the best result. I offered the bride a discount and she turned it down because I stayed all day with her and redecorated her whole cake all over. It wasn't to my satisfaction, but to her I saved the day! The cake split in half and the frosting fell off, I will blame 1/2 of it on the weather cause we had an extremely hot day. I'm not sure the cake would have held up in such hot weather, but it definetly is not my favorite.

Nicki

I am also a DH user with no problems and raves from customers.
I always use milk instead of water with any cake mis and add vanilla or almond extract depending on the cake.
The strawberry is the only one I'm not crazy about--the flavor is OK but the texture is very "crumbly"....it's just not my favorite cake from DH.

Before you give up on DH, try the dark choc. mix with 1/2 a box of dark choc. pudding mixed in. Also, use their French Vanilla with 1/2 bx. of Fr. vanilla pudding mix. They are ABSOLUTLEY delicious and I am a cakeaholic! They are very moist but cut, carve and ice very well. I always have my friends and family asking for them.

I use DH all the time and this is the type of response I get.

"My Daughter, Aja met with you Sat and she brought samples home. Also my girlfriend and I just looked at your web site. I just had to tell you, you have the best tasting cakes I have ever tasted! and I have tasted a lot! LOL.
My 50th birthday is coming up and we needed an excuse to get one of your masterpieces before my daughters wedding next year."

I'm a wilton instructor in the Rockford, IL area and I will let all my students know what happened. I can't believe I even stayed calm enough to get through the day. I spent a total of 12 hours on Saturday with this cake. I would have dropped off the cake and been back at 5:00 pm to cut and serve. It would have never lasted. I was completely embrassed. A good thing about it all I had done a cake for the bride previously and she knew I did a good job.

Nicki

ooo frostedbliss.. that sounds fabulous.. i have to over cook my chocolate ones just a tad.. but they are still amazingly moist and yummy..

sorry nicki9774 that you had to go through that.. its amazing how what works for some doesnt for others.. and its not for lack of anything.. it just doesnt work..
glad to hear you stuck it out with your bride... that shows great character!

Question about pudding in the mix boxes......do your cakes ever seem too moist or heavy when filled and frosted?