Hoosier Hill Farm Premium Cheddar Cheese Powder (No Artificial Colors), 1LB (Pack of 1)

Was looking to replace another cheese powder which has suddenly vanished from my local grocery shelves. Wanted a cheese powder that would replicate the "blue box" Kraft version without the pasta as I use a low carb macaroni. I prepared a serving of the cheese powder that I had on hand and a separate serving of this cheese powder to compare. Big difference! This powder actually smells like the "blue box" powder and even, more importantly, is the closest I've found to the original. I thought the powder I had been using was a good substitute until I tried this one. Much cheesier (cheese listed as first ingredient) and the powder makes a smoother sauce than my previous version (less clumping). I opted for the slightly more expensive jar because I don't see the necessity for neon colored food. LOL!

I grew up eating the blue box. I loved the blue box. I taught my babysitters (two of them!) how to make the blue box when I was a kid. Lately, the blue box has completely failed me. I noticed recently that noodles seemed to be cooking faster than I remembered (I always went by a taste test rather than a timer). So, I checked the cook time (7-9 minutes) and purposely cut that time significantly short (5 minutes). The noodles were still too soft, and after trying to reheat leftovers, they completely disintegrated into a bowl of mush. Like, mashed potato consistency, only softer. And the sauce was bland. I've always tweaked it depending on my feelings for the day. Sometimes more butter if I want it richer. Or more milk if I want it thinner (and greater volume). Lately I've been needing to tweak it more, like adding nutritional yeast, or shredded cheese, or a sprinkling of a salted herb blend. It's just been bland and not lived up to my expectations.So, I started searching for alternatives. I ended up buying this cheese powder, hoping I could replicate the blue box but using quality macaroni noodles. And it worked! Does this product taste exactly like the blue box? not really. It reminds me more of the bunny box. My husband said it was a bit milder than the blue box, but if I'm honest, I think that we are comparing it to our MEMORIES of the blue box, rather than the actual current taste of the blue box. It is milder than I would ultimately love, but it is still yummy and at least gives me the option to continue to make "blue box" mac and cheese without having to suffer through macaroni mush. And, if I want to up the flavor a bit, I can just add a bit more powder!If you are looking to replicate the blue box, here is my suggestion: 1 1/2 c. uncooked macaroni and 2Tbs powder. Cook as directed on blue box (but timed for your macaroni), using butter and milk as you normally would, in the amounts you normally would. Of course you can adjust amounts depending on your tastes/serving needs, but I've found this ratio of macaroni to powder most closely replicates what you would (expect to) get from the blue box. Without macaroni mush.

For me, nostalgia isn't the blue box mac & cheese (although that used to be good when it was made with real cheese, instead of the leftovers from the cheese making process with other fake junk). Nostalgia for me is cheesy garlic bread made with Real Grated American Cheese like mom used to make. That cheese hasn't been available for a few decades now, and the blue box "cheese" is a poor substitute.This cheese powder made the best cheesy garlic bread I've had in decades. I also tried some mac & cheese, which was delicious, but it's a bit expensive for that when you can easily just use block cheese. It also tastes great on popcorn, but you still need to use butter or it will just fall off, even if you popped the corn in oil.Start with a large loaf of Italian or French bread and split top & bottom. Make a paste from 1 stick of softened butter, 1/3C cheese powder, and 1T garlic powder. Spread on bread and bake at 350F on an upper rack until the cheese browns. Takes less time than to boil and cook your pasta. Also easy to make ahead and store in the fridge or freezer until ready to bake in smaller servings.

Tastes good to flavor popcorn. Family didn’t like flavor in Mac & cheese

We love cheddar popcorn but most brands are not cheesy enough--and we've tried many brands. This product was not inexpensive but you don't need to use too much of it. It is NOT artificially flavored--it's real powdered cheddar cheese. It is also a nice orange so you can see it on the popcorn so you know if you've used enough to coat it. It is delicious and the ingredient is pure cheddar. It's going to take a good while to use the jar but when it's empty we'll definitely purchase another. And...it's cheese from the USA.

I search for so long, trying to find the "cleanest"-ingredient dehydrated cheese powder, especially trying to avoid food dyes (cheese doesn't need artificial coloring!!). I have been buying this for years, and it's nearly perfect. I got sick of buying boxes of mac & cheese, but wanted to still have the option on occasion. This lets me make plenty for my whole family without having all the waste of multiple boxes! I also love putting it on popcorn! It melts and rehydrates well, and is really tasty!The one downside to this is one I can't really fault the company for, as it goes with all powdered things like cheese, and that is that this does clump or harden, especially as you get to the older cheese at the end. Nothing that can't be broken up pretty easily though!

My SO enjoys adding a little extra cheese powder to his Kraft Mac & Cheese and he says this brand is really good. And he’s picky!

Weak cheese flavor