Box Mixes: Better Than From Strach

Sur La Table’s Traditional Popover Mix makes perfect popovers without a too-doughy middle as often happens with made-from-scratch recipes. $6.95.  (Sur La Table)

Stonewall Kitchens' Gingerbread Pancake Waffle and Pancake Mix gives you that warm delicious feeling at breakfast sans rolling pins, cookie cutters and royal icing. $9.95.  (Sur La Table)

Trader Joe's Truffle Brownie Mix with Dutch cocoa and premium chocolate chips makes unbelievably rich, dense dark-chocolate chocolate-lover’s brownies. An incredible bargain for $2.99. (Trader Joes)

Apple-Cider Doughnuts usher in fall but this easy mix lets you chow down on ‘em all winter long. Sur La Table. $9.95. (Sur La Table)