Pancake mix
Choose this when: you want to cook pancakes in a frying pan.
Bear in mind: a multigrain or wholemeal variety is not necessarily a mix containing seeds or a substitute for cake mix.
Who is this choice relevant to?
This choice is relevant if you want to bake a cake with seeds, are comparing pancake and cake mixes, or need to check ingredients and allergens before buying.
What should you look for when choosing?
Cake mix or cake recipe
Choose this when: you want to bake a cake using instructions intended for that type of bake.
Bear in mind: you still need to check separately whether the ingredients or recipe include seeds.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cake or tart result | Check whether the mix or recipe is intended for the bake you want to make; don’t simply swap cake mix for pancake mix on a one-to-one basis. | If you want to bake a cake, you’ll want to follow cake instructions rather than adapt a frying-pan method. An estimated 50% of consumers put this result first. |
| Seeds and texture | Look for the seeds or kernels you want in the ingredients list, and check whether the recipe includes instructions for adding them. | If you have a particular texture in mind, it matters whether the bake actually contains seeds; the word “multigrain” doesn’t guarantee this. Around 30% of consumers prioritise these ingredients. |
| Making pancakes | Compare the preparation instructions, additional ingredients required and allergens for each variety. | If you mainly want to make pancakes, you’ll want to check that you have the required ingredients at home. An estimated 20% of consumers consider this first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain or wholemeal means a mix contains seeds
The ingredients listed by Albert Heijn for its multigrain pancake mix and by PLUS for its wholemeal variety include different types of flour and grains. The variety name alone doesn’t tell you whether it contains the seeds you want.
Read the ingredients list and look for the seeds or kernels you want to use, such as linseed, sesame or sunflower seeds.
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Using pancake mix without a suitable cake recipe
Albert Heijn and PLUS give frying-pan instructions for their pancake mixes. These instructions don’t mean you can use the same mix as a direct, one-to-one substitute for cake mix.
For a cake, choose a cake mix or follow a recipe that specifically uses the pancake mix in question. Only add seeds if the recipe gives instructions for doing so.
A failed baking attempt also costs you the time and ingredients you’ve already put into the batter.
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Relying on out-of-date allergen information
Ingredients and allergens vary between varieties. For example, Jumbo lists gluten, oats and wheat for its plain pancake mix; added ingredients may also affect your choice.
Check the packaging of your chosen variety every time you buy it, and check the ingredients you add yourself too.
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Tasting raw batter
For Koopmans gluten-free pancake mix, PLUS states that the batter is not intended to be eaten raw and must be thoroughly heated.
Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging and don’t taste the batter raw.
Brands to consider
Compare the specific product type and variety from each brand: pancake mix, cake mix and tart mix aren’t automatically suitable for the same uses.
Koopmans
Jumbo lists Koopmans pancake mix in multigrain, wholemeal and gluten-free varieties, among others.
- The different varieties give you a choice within the pancake mix category.
- A variety name doesn’t confirm that the mix contains seeds or is intended for cakes; check the specific product.
AH
Albert Heijn lists both pancake mixes and separate cake mixes.
- For the multigrain pancake mix, you can check the grains listed in the ingredients.
- Multigrain doesn’t automatically mean it contains seeds; for a cake, look for the relevant cake mix or a suitable recipe.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s plain pancake mix is an option if you want to make pancakes.
- For this variety, Jumbo lists wheat flour, buckwheat flour and wholemeal oat flour.
- The preparation instructions are for pancakes; for a cake, check a recipe intended for that purpose.
PLUS
PLUS lists, among other products, wholemeal pancake mix and a complete pancake mix.
- According to PLUS, you prepare the complete variety with water, while the wholemeal variety requires milk and eggs.
- Both are still pancake mixes. Check the ingredients and instructions for the variety you choose.
Albona
ALDI Netherlands lists both a multigrain pancake mix and separate cake and tart mixes under Albona.
- The separate product types make it easier to find a mix suited to the bake you want to make.
- “Multigrain” on the pancake mix doesn’t confirm that it contains seeds or is suitable for cakes.
Belbake
Lidl lists Belbake Original Pancake Mix.
- The product name makes clear that it’s pancake mix.
- Read the packaging for ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions before choosing this variety.
Products for baking cakes
If you want to bake a cake rather than make pancakes, you can explore these mixes and types of cake flour for that purpose. For a cake with seeds, always check the ingredients and recipe for the variety you choose.
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Koopmans Bundt cake mix 465 g
A mix to consider if you want to bake a Bundt cake. Check the preparation instructions and whether your recipe is suitable for the seeds you want to add.
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Koopmans Fine Cake Mix 400 g
An option to consider when you want to bake a light, fine-textured cake. Check the packaging for the additional ingredients required, and only use seeds as directed in a suitable recipe.
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Koopman Farmhouse Cake Mix 400 g
A mix to consider for a farmhouse-style cake. Check the packaging to see which ingredients you need to add, and choose a recipe that explains how to include seeds.
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Koopmans cake flour 450 g
Cake flour to consider if you’re following your own cake recipe. Check the full quantities in the recipe and make sure it allows for the addition of seeds.
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Gogi Cake Flour Layer Sweet Cake 1 KG
A cake base to consider if you want to make a layered cake. Before buying, check the preparation method and additional ingredients required for this variety; you’ll need recipe instructions if you want to add seeds.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use pancake mix instead of cake mix?
Don’t use pancake mix as a direct, one-to-one substitute for cake mix unless you have a suitable recipe. Albert Heijn and PLUS provide frying-pan instructions for their pancake mixes; for a cake, choose a cake mix or a recipe that specifies the exact pancake mix and oven method.
Does multigrain pancake mix contain seeds?
The word “multigrain” doesn’t guarantee that a mix contains seeds. Albert Heijn lists wheat, barley, oats and buckwheat, among other ingredients, in its multigrain pancake mix; check the current ingredients list if you want to use particular seeds or kernels.
Where can I check allergens in a baking mix?
Check the allergen information on the packaging for the exact variety you’re buying and for any ingredients you add yourself. Allergens vary by product; for example, Jumbo lists gluten, oats and wheat in its plain pancake mix.
Can I taste pancake batter raw?
Follow the instructions on the packaging and don’t taste the batter raw. PLUS specifically states that Koopmans gluten-free pancake mix batter must be thoroughly heated before you eat it.