Kodiak Cakes Take the Cake
When my husband hears the words, “whole grains,” he makes a face.
You might as well be uttering the words, “pickled eyeballs,” because he’ll make the same expression of disgust.
All too often, he fears “whole grains” means “too healthy to possibly taste any good.”
But Kodiak Cakes made a believer out of him.
The Salt Lake City, family-owned company recently sent me samples of its whole grain pancakes/waffles, cookies and brownie mixes to try.
Jon Clark started the company, Baker Mills, in 1994 with a line of whole grain mixes named Kodiak Cakes. His grandfather was an expert hot cake maker — turning out stacks of hearty whole-wheat ones for breakfasts. Jon’s mother kept that tradition alive in her own family, going so far as to mix up the dry ingredients for her father’s recipe in brown paper bags to sell in the neighborhood. Even though the neighbors clamored for more, Jon’s mom was too busy raising her five kids to make a real business out of it.
Fast-forward 12 years later, when Jon decided to pursue his mother’s dream, naming the company with the maiden surnames of his mother and grandmother. Now, the company sells its products in 4,000 grocery stores nationwide as well as on its Web site.
The “Frontier Flapjack and Waffle Mix” ($5.75 per box) is made with whole wheat, oat, honey, non-fat dry milk, and egg whites. All you do is mix with water and in seconds, you’re making pancakes or waffles even before the coffee’s finished brewing. Even though I usually make ’em from scratch, even I felt a thrill to get a stack of waffles ready in no time flat. And what waffles these are — crispy on the outside, with an airy interior and a wonderfully hearty flavor.
Kodiak Cakes also makes its own berry syrups to go along with the flapjacks. They are a treat. When you pour the raspberry one ($5.75 for a bottle) over waffles, it makes the whole stack taste like a giant jelly doughnut.
The “Big Bear Brownies” mix ($5.75 per box) requires additions of butter, vegetable oil, water and two eggs. With a very thick batter, the brownies bake up moist with a lovely crackly top. The perfect consistency between fudgy and cakey, the brownies have a pronounced deep chocolate flavor.
The “Oatmeal Dark Chocolate” cookie mix ($5.75 per box) bakes up picture-perfect treats with crisp edges, a soft interior and a none-too-sweet flavor.
But don’t take my word on just how good the mixes are.
Just ask my husband — who, after just one bite, wasn’t making that face any more, but asking for seconds.
More Gourmet Products to Try: Ad Hoc Cake and Frosting Mixes
And: Ad Hoc Barbecue Sauce and Rub
And: Jamie Oliver’s Line of Artisan Condiments, Cookies and Jams
I never knew the story behind Kodiak Cakes! Sounds like a real family tradition…and their products certainly are fantastic! Mmm, I’m going to be on the lookout for that red raspberry syrup!
I have to admit I am not a mix girl, but you must be the bazillionth person who’s raved about their products. If I ever do become a mix person, these would be the first I’d try.
The S.O. loves pancakes but he also doesn’t like whole grain stuff. In fact, he avoids it. 😉
I want that for breakfast tomorrow! Thank you 😉
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I LOVE Kodiak pancake mix. So good! Great review. 🙂
I have never tried this product, but glad to hear your review. It’s great to have healthy, convenient products on the market.
Yuuuum! I usually save pancakes for special occasions, but I’ll make an exception this time! Those waffles and (especially) that red raspberry syrup look awesome!
I find some wholegrain and wholemeal products are much better than others. It looks like this is definitely of the “better” variety! 😀
I have become more and more interested with baking with whole grain. I feel guilty these days every time I reach for the white processed flour :S
I am always looking for good wholegrain substitutes, this review is so timely 🙂 Thanks!
I just had some Kodiak Cakes with chocolate chips this week. It was my pre-breakfast interview fuel. And guess what? I got the job! Thanks, Baker Mills! 🙂
Linday: Congrats! Wow, with the unemployment rate still so high, maybe we all need to be chowing down on more Kodiak Cakes with chocolate chips! 😉
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I LOVE this mix, but am having a hard time getting the waffles to be crispy and hold their shape. I use cooking spray prior to putting the batter on the iron and add an egg white to try and stiffen it up. Any ideas?
Diana: It may be that you’re not heating your waffle iron high enough? Be sure to remove the waffle, too, when it is very golden brown. Also, just like pancakes, the first one in the batch rarely turns out perfect. But the ones after that come out beautifully. 😉