[maureen73]

Hello,
I am disgusted with the cake mixes at the supermarket. I thought I grabbed the one Duncan Hines mix that said "naturally flavored" orange cake but when I got home and looked at the ingredients it said "artificial flavors and colors" GRRRR! Anyhow, my son is turning 4 on Saturday. I am not the best baker (though a fine cook) but I would love to find a very simple cake recipe. I made a cream cheese frosting that another mom suggested and it turned out great. If you have an EASY cake recipe then I would be very appreciative. Thanks.

:

 

[ChocolateNummies]

Wacky Cake is so easy. I've posted it here before but here's the recipe from my local cookbook again. This one is chocolate but you can change it a little to make it an orange cake (explained afterwards).

Wacky Cake

2 c sugar
3 c flour
1/2 c cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

2/3 c oil
2 tsp vinegar
2 tsp vanilla
2 c cold water

Sift first 5 ingredients into ungreased 9x13 cake pan. (Or don't sift and just mix well with fork/whisk.) Make 3 depressions. Into first pour oil, into second pour vinegar, into third pour vanilla. Pour cold water over all and mix well.

Bake for 35-40 minutes at 350.

To make this an orange cake omit the cocoa and vinegar and use orange juice instead of water. I haven't personally tried this yet but have read that it works. I'm sure you could add orange zest too if you want - or add some to your frosting.

I usually don't bother sifting the dry ingredients - just mix well with fork. Though for a special occasion I may do it just to be safe even though I've always had good results otherwise.

I almost always put half the sugar and we really like it that way (esp. if it has frosting which we usually don't do.)

 

[Vancouver Mommy]

Would this recipe work for a layer cake (2 8 inch round pans?). I also have a birthday cake to make this week.

 

[ChocolateNummies]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vancouver Mommy Would this recipe work for a layer cake (2 8 inch round pans?).

It should. You just may have to reduce the baking time a bit. Keep an eye on it and check it maybe 10 minutes early.

The following links give equivalent pan sizes. The first one says to use three 8" pans or two 9" pans to equal the 9x13 but the second link's volumes make it seem like three layers would be pretty thin. So I dunno. I guess see how it looks when you pour it in the pans - 1/2 to 2/3 full - and if it looks like too much batter for two 8" pans maybe save some back to bake after the first two or make a few extra cupcakes (which will bake even quicker than the layers - maybe 20 minutes or so).

http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Cake-Pan...ns/Detail.aspx

http://www.joyofbaking.com/PanSizes.html

 

[maureen73]

This sounds great and I think I will try the chocolate cake with the cream cheese frosting.

: Another question....is it cocoa as in drinking cocoa or baking chocolate? Also, you said you have made it with half the sugar...which is listed the recipe amount so that would be one cup with your suggestion? Thanks a bunch. I am excited to make this cake!!

 

[maureen73]

Also, my daughter is allergic to vanilla beans so do you think it would be okay to omit the vanilla. Her other allergy is eggs and I notice this cake does not have eggs so she will finally be able to try a piece of cake

:

:

:

:

 

[ChocolateNummies]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maureen73 Another question....is it cocoa as in drinking cocoa or baking chocolate?

Sorry, it's unsweetened cocoa powder like you get in the baking aisle. Comes in a plastic box/can. Like this but not necessarily that brand of course.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maureen73 so that would be one cup with your suggestion?

Right, when I halve the amount I use 1 cup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maureen73 so do you think it would be okay to omit the vanilla.

Omitting the vanilla will not affect texture or the way it bakes but it might not be quite as flavorful. If your daughter can tolerate it and you are comfy with it you can use (decaf) coffee instead of water to make up for any loss of flavor you may be concerned about. I've used coffee before and it's really good. Or add peppermint extract instead if you think it will pair well with your frosting recipe

Quote:

Originally Posted by maureen73 Her other allergy is eggs and I notice this cake does not have eggs so she will finally be able to try a piece of cake

yay!

This cake has so many variations. It's an extremely forgiving recipe. I seldom use any other cake recipe anymore. I've tweaked it so many times on the fly and it almost always comes out great. Sometimes not perfect but definitely good enough for family. You can find variations online if you google "wacky cake variations" or "(insert flavor) wacky cake". So you can use it all year long if you like, just changing it up to make orange, spice, strawberry, etc. Sometimes it's called depression cake too.

: to your ds. Have fun!

 

[Vancouver Mommy]

I made this cake on the weekend with chocolate cream cheese icing and it was absolutely incredible. Thanks for the recipe.

 

[ChocolateNummies]

You're quite welcome.

I'm so glad it turned out. I always worry recipes that work for me won't work for others.

Out of curiosity, did it fit into two 8 inch rounds?