Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: What is the difference between a plain chocolate cake mix and a devil’s-food cake mix? The ingredients on the boxes are the same. How is a German chocolate cake mix different? – Linda B., via e-mail

What a great question! We called a leading manufacturer of cake mixes, and here is what a representative had to say:

“German chocolate is usually a milder chocolate flavor and a lighter color than other chocolate varieties.

“Devil’s-food cake mixes have a stronger, richer cocoa flavor to them and are darker in color.

“Plain chocolate mixes are usually a milk-chocolate flavoring.

NOTE: A lot of times, these varieties are different because of the frostings used. German chocolate cakes usually are served with a coconut-pecan frosting, while devil’s-food cake has a fudge or white frosting. Plain chocolate cakes can have a variety of different frostings. – Heloise