Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Stir-Crazy Cake

I have never been a baker, though I have gotten a bit more adventurous since my husband bought me a stand mixer for Christmas.  Still, even those adventures have been more of the cookie-type (and the occasional boxed cake mix).  In fact, never have I ever made a cake from scratch...until this unbelievable recipe that I will continue to make again and again.  Honestly, I was initially somewhat skeptical about this cake that not only doesn't require a mixer, but doesn't even require a bowl!  All of the ingredients are simple enough, and they are all combined in the very pan in which you bake the cake.  This cake is so moist and delicious that I was afraid that I was going to eat the whole thing myself - so I shared with my neighbor and my mother-in-law, who both gave it rave reviews as well.  Had I known that making a cake from scratch could be this easy, I would have done it long ago!

This recipe is one of the many delicious recipes that I made from Weeknight Dinners by Gooseberry Patch, which has quickly become one of my favorites.  For more of our reviews on this fantastic and family-friendly cookbook, please check out our posts for Italian Baked Chicken and Savory Onion Roasted Veggies, which also hail from Weeknight Dinners.

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INGREDIENTS:
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-3/4 cups sugar, divided
  • 1/2 cup baking cocoa
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2/3 cup oil
  • 2 Tbsp vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups cold brewed coffee or water (I used cold instant decaf rather than brewing a pot of coffee) 
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 350.  Add flour, 1-1/2 cups of the sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt to an ungreased 13"x9" metal baking pan.  Stir with a fork to mix.
  2. Use a spoon to form 3 wells in the flour mixture.  Pour oil into one well, vinegar into one well, and vanilla into one well.  Pour cold coffee or water over all ingredients; stir quickly with fork until well mixed.  Do not beat.
  3. Combine cinnamon and remaining 1/4 cup of sugar; sprinkle evenly over batter.  Bake for 35-40 minutes, until cake tests done with a toothpick.

Difficulty: I never knew making a cake from scratch could possibly be this easy
Time: 10 minutes prep; 35-40 baking
Source: Weeknight Dinners by Gooseberry Patch, copyright 2012


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15 comments:

  1. This cake looks wonderful...I think I will have to give it a try this weekend.

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  2. Gooseberry Patch has great recipes!

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  3. Think the name is wrong... should be EAZY! <3

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  4. I lost all my Gooseberry Patch cookbooks in our move from one state to another. Made me sad when I realized they are all gone. I love your recipes and ideas. I even miss my Christmas ones.

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  5. Wanda Rhoades
    7210 Leafwood Dr
    San Antonio, Tx. 78227
    nannywanda@att.net

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  6. Just wing my meals usually. I love recipes so would love to have a cook book from you. bell1234@hotmail.com

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  7. I just bought my sister the Gooseberry Patch Slow Cooker Recipes for All Seasons and I loved it so much I had to buy one for myself too! There are some fantastic recipes in it. I would love to have more of their recipe books! cami.beegle@countryfinancial.com

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  8. I LOVE gooseberry patch recipes and I don't have this cookbood...please pick me!

    herkszoo2@q.com

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  9. I collect GooseBErry cookbooks- they are so great. Love them....I don't have this one though.....haven't gotten any new ones in several years.

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  10. I adorable the Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks! I have several and use them all the time......I don't have this one.

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  11. I love the Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks, and would love to have this one! I'm definitely going to try this chocolate cake!

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  12. I have a couple of these cookbooks; but I don't have this one. I'm going to try the chocolate cake.

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  13. I love the Gooseberry Patch Cookbook!

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  14. I would love a Gooseberry Patch Cookbook :)

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  15. I love reading & trying your receipes.I'd love to have this cookbook rhonda crosby
    2874 electric ave
    port huron,mi 48060 rhonda-crosby@comcast.net

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