Home bakers who want to make a cake or tart
If you have a cake or tart base in mind, start with cake mix or cake flour. Koopmans presents these as a base for cakes; its pancake mix is intended for pancakes cooked in a frying pan.
Who is each mix intended for?
Families who want to make wholemeal pancakes
For pancakes as a meal, you can choose a mix made with wholemeal grains. Check which grains it contains, and bear in mind that the flavour may be more robust if someone at the table prefers a milder pancake.
Bakers who want to add as few separate ingredients as possible
For the complete pancake mixes from Koopmans and Albert Heijn described here, you add water to make the batter. Check the ingredients list too: a simple method of preparation does not mean the mix is free from milk, eggs or gluten.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to bake a cake or make pancakes. For pancake mixes, compare the grains used, what you need to add and the allergen information.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| The bake you want to make | Check whether the packaging says cake, cake flour or pancakes, and follow the relevant instructions. | If I want to make a cake or tart base, I don’t want to choose a mix intended for pancakes cooked in a pan. For around 40% of consumers, getting the right bake is the top priority. |
| Wholemeal grains and flavour | Compare the grains listed and the proportion of wholemeal flour; check the nutritional information for fibre. | I want to try wholemeal grains in my pancakes, but the flavour also needs to suit fussy eaters at the table. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this choice between grains and flavour. |
| Added ingredients and allergens | Read what you need to add to the batter and check the latest ingredients and allergen information. | If I have few ingredients at home or need to take an allergy into account, the mix must suit the way I can prepare it. For around 30% of consumers, this is the first thing they consider. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming pancake mix is an obvious choice for cakes
The product information described here gives instructions for cooking pancake mix in a frying pan. Koopmans lists its cake mix and cake flour separately as bases for cakes.
Choose a mix based on what you want to bake, and follow its instructions.
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Confusing wholemeal with gluten-free
The wholemeal pancake mixes described here contain ingredients including wheat and/or oats. The term wholemeal does not mean a mix is suitable for anyone who needs to avoid gluten.
If necessary, look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the other allergens on the latest packaging too.
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Assuming you don’t need anything else with a complete mix
For the complete pancake mixes described here, you make the batter with water, but you still need a cooking fat to fry the pancakes. The ingredients may also include milk and eggs.
Check both the ingredients list and the instructions before you start.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers separate mixes for pancakes and cakes. Among the pancake mixes described here, the Original, Wholemeal and Complete varieties differ in their ingredients and preparation.
- For the Original pancake mix, you add ingredients including milk and eggs; for the Complete mix, Koopmans says to add water to the batter.
- Check the allergens for each variety. The Complete mix described here also contains ingredients derived from milk and eggs.
Albert Heijn
According to the product information described here, the AH own-brand range includes both a wholemeal and a complete pancake mix.
- AH describes its wholemeal mix as vegan and lactose-free, and lists a plant-based preparation option.
- That wholemeal mix contains wheat. The complete mix described here contains ingredients derived from wheat, milk and eggs; always check the latest packaging.
Jumbo
The Jumbo wholemeal pancake mix described here combines wholemeal wheat flour, wholemeal oat flour and buckwheat flour.
- The product information lists 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour, so you can compare the grain content.
- Because it contains wheat and oats, this is not a gluten-free option. Check the packaging for other allergens and possible traces too.
PLUS
The PLUS products described here offer a choice between wholemeal pancake mix and complete pancake mix.
- The wholemeal mix lists 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour; for the Complete mix, PLUS says to add water to the batter.
- The Complete mix contains ingredients derived from wheat, milk and eggs. Check which variety and preparation method suit you.
Consenza
The Consenza pancake mix described here is labelled gluten-free and wheat-free by the retailer.
- The clear gluten-free label is helpful if you’re looking for a pancake mix labelled gluten-free.
- The listed ingredients include milk, eggs and lupin. Check the latest packaging for complete allergen information.
Cake mixes for baking cakes at Joybuy
These are mixes for cakes or Bundt cakes. They’re suited to anyone who wants to bake a cake, rather than those choosing between wholemeal, complete and plain pancake mixes for batter cooked in a frying pan.
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Koopmans Fine Cake Mix 400 g
A good choice if you want to bake a classic cake rather than pancakes. The pack contains 400 g of mix.
When preparing it, bear in mind that you’ll need to add your own butter, milk and eggs. Check the latest packaging for the baking time, temperature and allergen information.
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Koopman Farmhouse Cake Mix 400 g
This mix is intended for farmhouse cake, making it a cake option rather than a pancake mix. The pack contains 400 g of mix.
You’ll need to add your own butter and eggs. Check the latest packaging for baking instructions and allergen information.
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Koopmans Bundt Cake Mix 465 g
Choose this variety if you want to bake a Bundt cake. The pack contains 465 g of mix.
You’ll need to add your own butter, eggs and milk. Before baking, check the instructions and allergen information on the latest packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use pancake mix to make a classic cake or tart base?
For a classic cake or tart base, it’s better to choose a cake mix or cake flour made for the job than to use pancake mix as a direct substitute. Koopmans gives instructions for cooking its pancake mix in a frying pan, and lists its cake mix and cake flour separately as bases for cakes.
Which pancake mix should I choose if I want to add water?
Look for a complete pancake mix whose instructions say to add water to the batter. AH and PLUS specify 700 ml of water for the complete mixes described here; you’ll also need a suitable cooking fat for frying.
Is wholemeal pancake mix gluten-free too?
No, wholemeal does not mean gluten-free. The wholemeal mixes from Koopmans, AH, Jumbo and PLUS described here contain wheat and/or oats; if necessary, choose only a mix explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the latest allergen information.
Why should I read the label if I’ve already checked the ingredients online?
The latest packaging gives you information you can check on the product itself. If you have an allergy or specific dietary requirements, pay particular attention to the ingredients and allergens, as product information can change.