The Trader Joe’s Find That Always Sells Out Is Finally Back

I have a serious weakness for chewy desserts. I grew up eating all sorts of springy Chinese treats—dishes like nuo mi ci (glutinous dumplings filled with ground peanuts and sugar), shao bing (toasted rice cakes stuffed with red bean paste), and nian gao (baked sticky rice cake). Sinking your teeth into something bouncy is so satisfying. In fact, it’s such a coveted texture in Taiwan that there’s even a unique term to describe it: QQ.

Nowadays, chewy foods that remind me of my childhood favorites are surprisingly easy to find. In my hometown of New York City, bubble tea shops are as ubiquitous as Starbucks, and mochi ice cream is available at most supermarkets. But there’s one product I eagerly wait to return to shelves every year and it’s finally back: Trader Joe’s Mochi Cake Mix.

Why I Love Trader Joe’s Mochi Cake Mix

I tried butter mochi for the first time during a 2009 trip to Hawaii, and it instantly reminded me of my beloved Chinese sweets. While the exact origin of the coconut-infused rice cake is unknown, it likely comes from immigrants to the island, given that butter mochi is reminiscent of Filipino bibingka and calls for glutinous rice flour, an ingredient common in Japan.

Like a lot of baked goods, it’s not that difficult to make butter mochi from scratch. Most recipes call for glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, and a handful of other baking staples like eggs and butter. But certain days call for an even more low-effort, high-reward dessert, and that’s when the boxed mix from Trader Joe’s comes in handy. Not only is it super easy to make (it even says “just add water, eggs, and butter” on the box!), but the resulting cake—fragrant and chewy with a light, golden crust—tastes as good as most of the recipes I’ve tried.

That’s probably because the ingredient list is fairly simple. The dry mix contains sweet rice flour, sugar, coconut milk powder, and leavener. That’s why I always grab a few boxes when this seasonal product comes back in stock, and I’m not the only one who’s impressed by the mix—it’s sold out on more than one occasion at my local TJ’s. 

Ways To Get Creative With Trader Joe’s Mochi Cake Mix

One of the things I love most about this mix is how versatile it is. It’s easy to enhance with a splash of vanilla or almond extract, or you can add a tablespoon or two of cocoa or matcha powder or some citrus zest to change up the flavor profile.

Reddit, as always, is a goldmine of ideas. One commenter recommends poking holes with a fork and soaking it in coconut milk for a tres leches-like effect; another has given it a pineapple upside-down cake treatment. Now that I’ve got my hands on my annual stash, I’ll also be busy dreaming up new ways to level it up.

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