Showing posts with label Living on Easy Cake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Living on Easy Cake. Show all posts

Friday, April 27, 2012

Two Ways to Easy Cake . . .

I like to fuss in the kitchen but there are days when I have to get something in the oven fast and appreciate throw-together recipes. This is one of those recipes. I've seen several versions of it but this is the way I like to do it.

Living on Easy Cake - #1
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons baking soda
Smidge of salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Grated zest of one lemon
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 20-ounce can pineapple tidbits, undrained
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Vegetable oil spray a 9x11-inch baking pan or two smaller pans. You can divide it between two 8 or 9-inch round ones to have one cake today and another one for breakfast tomorrow . . . after the children and husband are off for the day, of course!

Mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix to just combine. Baking time will depend on the size of the pan but approximately 20-30 minutes. Check after 15 minutes to see how it is going.

Living on Easy Cake - #2
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons baking soda
Smidge of salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Grated zest of one lemon
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups canned apple slices, undrained
1/4 cup water if the canned apples don't seem to have enough liquid. (I've used brandy with good results!)

Prepare and bake as for the Living on Easy Cake - #1.

Remove from the oven when done and cool thoroughly before icing the cake(s). You now have a decision to make: Lemon or Chocolate Icing?

Lemon Icing
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Enough fresh lemon juice to form a pourable but somewhat thick icing.

Chocolate Icing
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dash of cinnamon
1/4 cup baking cocoa
Enough milk or cream to form a pourable but somewhat thick icing.

(Believe it or not, but Chocolate Icing tastes good with pineapple!)

If you have the time, toasting the nuts brings the recipe to a whole, new level. Just be sure the nuts are cooled down before using.