I have been craving some cake. Not fancy cake. Not cake with tons of frosting. Just a tender, tasty, morsel of cake. Not pie. Not cookies. Cake I say. I need some cake. This led me to pull out the cookbooks.
I got distracted when I saw this "death by lemon" and almost veered from the cake path but I resisted. I thought about "mom's apple cake" from the new Smitten Kitchen cookbook, and I considered boston cream pie. But I finally settled on "Stir Crazy Cake" when Chris suggested it.
This is an old recipe from a cookbook that was my father in laws'. Chas Mulvenon, who loved to make cinnamon rolls and rolled them out one Sunday morning on the newspaper much to the consternation of my mother in law Eleanor. But that is another story for another time. Suffice it to say that cinnamon roll dough has properties similar to silly putty.
But back to the cake. You put it together in the pan you bake it in. You stir it with a fork (no mixers allowed), you have to bake it in a metal pan and when you pour in the liquid you are supposed to make 3 seperate wells as I have demonstrated above. I followed the instructions to the letter. Here is why.
The top has a little cinnamon/sugar crunch to it. It is not a fudgy cake, but it is not dry, and in between the crispy top and the chocolately bottom there is that tender morsel quality that I was seeking. If you put whipped cream on this, do it on the side so you don't dampen that sugary top.
Craving satisfied. Recipe below in case you want to try it.
I also must add that I received the Smitten Kitchen Cookbook for Christmas from Megan, my wonderful daughter-in-law. This is a definite keeper and will so enjoy. Janelle Mulvenon
Posted by: Steve Mulvenon | 01/07/2013 at 10:30 PM
In my day (some great time a ago) the recipe was called "Dump Cake" because that is how you make it: dump it all in a pan!
Posted by: jeanette, mistress of longears | 01/07/2013 at 10:32 PM
I am definitely going to try this recipe. A vegan dessert? Perfect! Thanks for sharing, Carol!
Posted by: Heidi | 01/08/2013 at 06:08 AM
Back in the 'early '60s we called this a WACKY CAKE. It was one of the first things my mom taught me to bake, & I still have the recipe.
Posted by: Karen Schumacher | 01/08/2013 at 08:46 AM
Now i want cake!!
Posted by: Janet Ghio | 01/08/2013 at 09:12 AM
I have that cookbook and I've made that cake. Two thumbs up. :)
Posted by: Judy H. | 01/08/2013 at 10:22 AM
You're a fine baker, Carol! That cake looks marvellous - and it's great that it all gets mixed in the baking pan. One for the grandchildren to help with, I think.
We were introduced to a new cake this Christmas. It involves whole pears, cardamom, white wine and white chocolate! It was baked twice for our large family but no one complained a bit.
There's a link on my blog to the book. Perhaps I should post the recipe as well? Let me know if you're interested.
Posted by: Chrissy | 01/08/2013 at 11:02 AM
Now this is my idea of baking. Just dump the ingredients into the baking pan, stir and bake. I usually detest baking, all that sifting, measuring precisely...I didn't learn to cook that way, more of a little bit of this, a dab of that...but this is doable for me. I'll try it this weekend.
Posted by: Joan Clarke | 01/09/2013 at 01:06 AM
It looked delicious. It looked easy. I tried it and it's Husband approved! Thanks, Carol!
Posted by: robin | 01/09/2013 at 11:08 PM
I grew up with this cake too (also known as Wacky Cake) I distinctly remember my cousin sending it to my mom when we lived in Australia, and my mom showing little me how to make it. Haven't made it in years...going to call mom tomorrow for the recipe :)
Posted by: celeste | 01/10/2013 at 12:04 AM