Both French vanilla and white cake mixes can be used to bake delicious cakes, but there are some key differences between the two. In this article, we will compare French vanilla and white cake mixes to help you understand the differences and pick the right one for your baking needs.
The Main Differences
Here are the main differences between French vanilla and white cake mixes:
- Flavor – French vanilla has a more robust, eggy, and buttery vanilla flavor compared to white cake mix.
- Color – French vanilla mix makes a cake with a light yellow or beige color while white cake mix makes a bright white cake.
- Ingredients – French vanilla contains egg yolks for color and flavor while white cake mix uses just egg whites.
- Texture – Cakes made with French vanilla mix tend to be moister and denser versus white cake mixes.
- Uses – French vanilla works well for cakes like pound cake while white cake mix is perfect for whipped, fluffy cakes.
French Vanilla Cake Mix
French vanilla cake mix has a deep, rich vanilla flavor that comes from using egg yolks instead of just egg whites. The egg yolks give the cake a soft yellow or light beige color. French vanilla mix produces a cake with a dense, moist crumb. It has a higher fat and sugar content than white cake mix which contributes to the soft texture.
Traditional French vanilla cake mixes are designed specifically for making pound cakes. The box will often be labeled as a “pound cake mix.” Pound cakes are known for their density and richness. They have a tighter crumb and hold together well which is why they can be “pounded” without crumbling. The egg yolks and extra butter or oil in French vanilla mix give pound cakes their signature texture.
While called a “French” vanilla cake mix, this type of mix can be used to make any flavor cake where a moist, dense texture is desired. For example, it can be used to make chocolate cakes, carrot cakes, red velvet cakes, and more. The vanilla flavor pairs well with just about anything. A few teaspoons of instant coffee powder could be added to the mix to make a mocha pound cake too.
Benefits of French Vanilla Cake Mix
- Rich vanilla flavor from egg yolks
- Produces a soft, moist cake crumb
- Works well in dense cakes like pound cake
- Versatile for making all kinds of cake flavors
- Easy to mix and bake
White Cake Mix
White cake mix contains only egg whites instead of whole eggs. The lack of egg yolks means the cake will have a bright white color, instead of yellow. White cake mixes are designed to produce fluffy cakes with a light texture. They contain less fat and sugar compared to French vanilla mixes. Cornstarch is often added to white cake mixes to help make the texture extra light and airy.
White cake mixes are ideal when you want to make a sponge cake, angel food cake, or any cake that should be soft, fluffy, and bright white. The cake crumb is tender and feather-light. Whipped frostings and fillings pair well with white cakes to avoid weighing down the delicate crumb. Vanilla, almond, and lemon flavorings all work nicely and let the cake’s flavor shine through.
While “white cake mix” implies a plain flavor, these mixes can actually be transformed into any flavor too. For example, a white cake mix makes an amazing base for birthday cake, strawberry shortcake, coconut cake, and more. Add a little cocoa powder for chocolate cake as well. The neutral flavor and color of white cake mix let other ingredients take center stage.
Benefits of White Cake Mix
- Produces a fluffy, tender crumb
- Bright white color
- Lower fat/sugar than French vanilla
- Works well for airy, whipped cakes
- Versatile for any light and flavorful cake
Comparing Nutrition
There are some small differences in nutrition between French vanilla and white cake mixes. Here is a nutritional comparison of two popular supermarket brands:
| Nutrition Facts | Betty Crocker French Vanilla Cake Mix | Betty Crocker White Cake Mix |
|---|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1/4 cup (30g) | 1/4 cup (30g) |
| Calories | 110 | 100 |
| Fat | 2g | 1.5g |
| Carbs | 22g | 22g |
| Protein | 1g | 2g |
| Sodium | 210mg | 250mg |
As you can see, French vanilla cake mix is a little higher in calories and fat compared to white cake mix. This comes from the added egg yolks. But the differences are fairly minor in a serving size. Both offer 22g of carbs per serving. French vanilla has less protein than white cake mix.
Cost Comparison
On average, French vanilla cake mix costs a little more than plain white cake mix. Here are some typical prices for name brand mixes sold at Walmart:
| Cake Mix | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Betty Crocker French Vanilla Cake Mix | $1.98 |
| Pillsbury French Vanilla Cake Mix | $2.28 |
| Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Mix | $1.48 |
| Betty Crocker White Cake Mix | $1.98 |
Pillsbury French vanilla cake mix is the most expensive option at $2.28. Meanwhile, Duncan Hines white cake mix is the most budget-friendly at $1.48. So you’ll spend about $0.50 more for French vanilla. Many grocery stores offer store brands that cost a little less too.
Uses for Each Type of Mix
Here is a quick guide for when to use French vanilla vs. white cake mix:
Use French vanilla cake mix for:
- Pound cakes
- Gooey, dense chocolate cakes
- Carrot cakes, spice cakes, banana cakes
- Cakes using oil instead of butter
- Any cake where a moist, rich texture is desired
Use white cake mix for:
- Fluffy sponge cakes
- Angel food cakes
- Cakes with whipped cream or meringue
- Shortcakes and strawberry cake
- Cakes with a light fruit flavor like lemon
- Any cake where a tender, feather-light crumb is desired
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called French vanilla cake mix?
French vanilla refers to a vanilla with a strong, eggy, custard-like flavor. It gets this flavor from containing egg yolks. The “French” name refers to the classic French way of making custards using egg yolks.
Can I substitute French vanilla and white cake mixes?
You can substitute them, but the texture of the cake may turn out differently. White cake mixes tend to make cakes that are fluffier and lighter than French vanilla mixes. So if you use a French vanilla mix in place of white, the cake may be more dense. Vice versa, using white in place of French vanilla can make the cake less moist.
How do I modify white cake mix to mimic French vanilla?
To make white cake mix more like a French vanilla mix, you can add 2 egg yolks along with the egg whites called for on the box. Adding a couple tablespoons of butter to the batter helps enrich it too. Just be careful not to over-mix once adding the butter.
How do I modify French vanilla mix to mimic white cake?
To make a French vanilla mix lighter like a white cake, you can use milk instead of water. Replacing 1/4 cup of the oil with applesauce or yogurt lightens it up too. Fold the batter gently instead of mixing vigorously to achieve a fluffier crumb.
Can I flavor white or French vanilla cake mix?
Absolutely! Both white and French vanilla cake mixes make great bases for all kinds of flavors. Add cocoa powder, citrus zest, sprinkles, or other mix-ins to change up the flavor. The egg whites in white cake mix take on flavorings especially well.
Conclusion
French vanilla and white cake mixes each have their advantages. Pick French vanilla mix when you want a supremely moist, rich cake like classic pound cake. White cake mixes excel when a feather-light, fluffy crumb is desired. Knowing when to use each type gives you versatility to bake any style of cake from scratch-like flavors.