Buddy’s Vanilla Americana Cake

Today, Kevin and I are trying Buddy's Vanilla Americana Cake. This cake, baked with love in New Jersey, is from Buddy Valastro, the Cake Boss, known from his TV show on TLC. The cake's appearance is red, white, and blue, and we purchased it at Walmart for $4.98.

One of our main interests was to see if the cake’s dye affects the taste, particularly the blue dye. The cake is supposed to serve 12, but the portions seem quite small. Here’s a breakdown of our experience:

- Portion Size: Cutting the cake into 12 slices results in very small pieces, which might not be appealing to everyone.

- Cost: This cake is more affordable than other Buddy’s cakes, which usually cost around $25 due to their multiple layers (cake, cheesecake, pie). This particular cake is simpler and priced at $15, making it more accessible.

- Cake Texture: The cake itself is good, comparable to a standard white or yellow cake mix, without any noticeable dye taste.

- Frosting: The vanilla buttercream frosting is thick and sweet, better than many store-bought options. It lacks the buttery richness of a high-end bakery but is still quite satisfying.

- We compared the buttercream to a local bakery in Lexington, Mandeli's Bake Shop, known for its buttery, sweet overload that makes your teeth hurt. While Buddy’s cake doesn’t reach that level of sweetness, it is the closest we've had from a store-bought cake.

- Flavor: The flavors are not very strong; the vanilla is mild and overall, the cake is sweet but not overwhelmingly so. The dye did not affect the taste, even the darker blue sections.

- Practicality: This cake would be a good choice for events or cookouts. It’s festive with its red, white, and blue colors and is convenient to buy and store.

- Storage: The cake can likely be stored in the freezer if you plan to keep it for a future event, like the Fourth of July. Just make sure to check any freshness stickers provided by Walmart.

Buddy’s Vanilla Americana Cake is a solid choice for those looking for a festive and affordable dessert. While it might not compete with local bakeries in terms of rich, buttery sweetness, it is a commendable store-bought option that doesn’t have an overpowering dye taste. It's a practical and visually appealing cake that would be suitable for gatherings.