Trader Joe’s Fans Are Running to Stock up on This Seasonal Baking Mix

Lemon loaf lovers, listen up.

"This is one of my absolute favorite cake mixes that Trader Joe’s has to offer."

"My absolute favorite of their boxed bake mixes."

"I really had to force myself from not eating the entire cake in one sitting."

The reviews on a Reddit fan forum for Trader Joe's certainly got my attention, and it turns out the Reddit users aren't the only ones who think highly of a certain seasonal baking mix. There have been articles written on the mix, plenty of social media buzz, and a score of recipes developed around it. Simply put, the Meyer Lemon Cake Mix is the top seasonal item you should be adding to your cart this month at Trader Joe's—that is, if other people haven't already snapped it all up.

Why the Trader Joe's Meyer Lemon Cake Mix Is So Good

The Meyer Lemon Cake Mix yields a dense, buttery cake with subtly floral, tangy lemon flavor. And yes, it does taste a little different than a regular lemon loaf. That's because Meyer lemons are a cross between regular lemons and mandarin oranges. They're a little sweeter, less tart, and juicier than regular lemons, with a super fragrant rind perfect for zesting—all reasons why they are ideal for desserts (though still very versatile!).

In this mix, Trader Joe's actually tries to not only showcase the difference between Meyer lemons and conventional lemons, but actually accentuates it. The mix contains real whole Meyer lemon powder, but it also has dried lemon peel and dried orange peel to really strike that balance between sweet and tart.

The cake mix is great prepared as is, but fans have found delicious ways to iterate on the instructions and make it even better. Some suggest swapping buttermilk for water, while others recommend adding a big dollop of sour cream for extra moisture and richness. Of course, I always love to add a little extra zest in the cake and the glaze, because nothing beats fresh citrus zest in my opinion.

What really sells the cake is its versatility; More than anything, it's a great base batter for all your creative spring baking endeavors. Many people suggested adding fresh or frozen blueberries, and one even added the Trader Joe's freeze-dried strawberries for a strawberry lemonade-inspired cake. One Reddit user even mixed in fresh lavender extract for an easy, elegant spring showstopper. You can also take a tip from Reddit user mrs_traderjoes and turn it into cupcakes or even a Bundt cake.

At just $3.49 this seasonal mix is accessible from a price standpoint, too. I really admire TJ's for keeping seasonal items at a low price point so that people can try them while they're on shelves without breaking their budget. This baking mix is guaranteed to brighten up any weekday, and is the perfect antidote to these long bouts of spring showers we're having.