Cake
I love cake. It just seems to be the perfect dessert for celebrations. To that end, here are six yummy cake recipes, including Peach Upside-Down Skillet Cake With Bourbon Whipped Cream and Classic Birthday Cake. Enjoy!
MILLION DOLLAR CAKE
This is from Allrecipes, and begins, "A cake made from yellow cake mix is frosted with a cream cheese, mandarin orange, and pineapple mixture for a light and refreshing cake."
Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Additional: 9 hours; Total Time: 9 hours 55 minutes; Servings: 12; Yield: 1 (8 or 9 inch) layer cake
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/7903/million-dollar-cake/.
Ingredients
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
8 ounces cream cheese
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
2 (8 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Directions
Mix and bake cake mix as per package instruction for two 8 or 9 inch round layers. Let layers cool, and then split each layer in half so as to have 4 layers.
In a large bowl, whip cream cheese until soft, and then gradually mix in confectioners' sugar. Stir in the pineapple with juice and the drained mandarin oranges, reserving about 5 mandarin orange slices to decorate the top of cake. Mix in the dry pudding mix. Fold in the whipped topping.
Place one cake layer on a cake plate cut side up; spread with frosting. Place another layer cut side down on the first one, and top with more frosting. Repeat until all layers are used, spreading last bit of frosting on top and sides of cake. Decorate with reserved mandarin orange slices. Refrigerate overnight before serving.
CLASSIC BIRTHDAY CAKE
This is from Alison Roman in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Alison wrote, "A birthday cake needn't be elaborate. A few layers of tender yellow cake and creamy chocolate frosting will do the trick. In this version of the classic pairing, brown sugar and buttermilk provide a sophisticated flavor to the cake, and sour cream adds a slight tang to the chocolate frosting. It’s worth noting that both the cake and frosting can be made ahead. Just make sure you bring the frosting to room temperature before assembly so that it spreads easily. One note: The buttermilk and brown sugar in the batter means that the cake might appear slightly darker on the outside after baking than your typical yellow cake, but don't worry. The inside will be tender and moist."
Yield: 10 to 12 servings; Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes plus chilling
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019045-classic-birthday-cake.
While you're at it, check out Melissa Clark's wonderful guide, "How to Frost a Cake".
Ingredients
For the yellow cake:
Nonstick spray or butter for the pan
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces, plus more, if necessary, for greasing the pans
3-2/3 cups all-purpose or cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
5 large eggs
3 large egg yolks
For the chocolate frosting:
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (chocolate chips are fine)
8 ounces sour cream, room temperature
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Generous pinch of kosher salt
Lots of sprinkles
Preparation
For the cake: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray three 9-inch cake pans with nonstick spray or grease with softened butter. If your oven cannot accommodate all 3 pans on one middle rack, while the oven is still cool, arrange 2 racks as close to the middle as possible, allowing enough space between them for the cakes on the lower rack to rise without touching the one above it.
In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda together; set aside. In a medium bowl (or a measuring cup), combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract; set aside.
In a large bowl, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, sugar and light brown sugar. Using an electric mixer (or the stand mixer) on high, beat everything together until it’s very light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add in the eggs and egg yolks one at a time, beating between additions. Beat the batter until it’s almost doubled in volume and very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes, occasionally scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl.
With the mixer on low, gently beat in 1/3 of the flour mixture. Before it’s fully combined, add in 1/2 of the buttermilk mixture. Repeat with remaining flour and buttermilk until everything is well blended and no lumps remain.
Divide the cake batter equally among the three cake pans. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, rotating the pan or rack placement halfway through baking. You’ll know the cakes are done when they are golden brown, pulling away from the sides of the pan, and the tops spring back ever so slightly when you press them.
Remove the cakes from the oven and let sit for five minutes to cool slightly before inverting them onto a wire baking rack to cool completely.
Make the frosting and assemble the cake: Melt the chocolate either in a bowl in the microwave in 30-second intervals until melted, or in a double boiler or makeshift double boiler (a bowl set over a bowl of barely simmering water on the stove, but not touching the water), stirring occasionally until melted. The melted chocolate should be warm but never hot, with no visible chunks left.
Add about 1/3 of the sour cream to the melted chocolate and using a spatula, combine until no white streaks remain. Repeat with another 1/3, and finally the last 1/3. The chocolate will stiffen a bit as you add the sour cream, and this is O.K.
In a large bowl, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, sugar and salt. Using an electric mixer (or the stand mixer) on low speed at first to avoid showering yourself with sugar, and then increasing to high speed, beat until everything is fluffy and almost pure white, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low, slowly add in the chocolate mixture and blend. Increase the speed to high and beat until everything is very fluffy and well combined, about 2 minutes.
Once cakes are cooled, transfer one layer of cake, top side up, to a large parchment-lined plate. Use an offset or regular spatula to spread frosting onto the first layer of cake. Place second layer of cake on top, bottom side up (layering the rest of cake with the flat bottoms on top makes a cake with a straight shape, rather than domed). Repeat with remaining layer.
Once all the layers are assembled, apply a thin layer of frosting all over the cake, making sure to cover the whole cake. Chill the cake for 2 hours, keeping the frosting out at room temperature.
Remove the cake from the fridge and using either an offset spatula or a butter knife, give it another coat of frosting, doing whatever decorative patterns or swirls you wish: very smooth, or peaks and valleys.
Finish and decorate with sprinkles however you please.
Tip
This cake might appear slightly darker on the outside after baking than your typical yellow cake, but don't worry. The inside will be tender and moist.
RHUBARB CAKE
This is from Emily Weinberger on the Food Network site. The recipe begins, "Greek yogurt is the secret to this rhubarb cake, producing a sweet and tangy batter. The crunchy topping--spiced with nutmeg and ginger--gives off serious coffee cake vibes. It's perfect for breakfast with a mug of tea and makes a showstopping and delicious dessert for a dinner party."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes (including cooling time); Yield: 10 to 12 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/rhubarb-cake-12470457.
Ingredients
Crumb Topping:
3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch of ground nutmeg
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Cake:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing the pan
2 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
3 stalks rhubarb (about 7-1/2 ounces), sliced 1/8 inch thick (about 3 cups)
Directions
For the crumb topping: Combined the flour, brown sugar, oats, ginger, salt and nutmeg in a small bowl. Add the butter and mix thoroughly with your fingers or a fork until all the butter has been evenly distributed and incorporated into the flour. Form into small to medium clumps with your fingers. Set aside.
For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8-inch square cake pan.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
Beat the butter and granulated sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer (or using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment) on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and mix the flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with the Greek yogurt in 2 parts, beginning and ending with the flour and beating until just incorporated. Fold in the rhubarb using a rubber spatula. Take care not to overmix the batter.
Spoon the batter (it will be thick) into the prepared pan and smooth with an offset spatula. Sprinkle on the crumb topping, distributing it evenly.
Bake until the topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with just a few moist crumbs, 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 1 hour.
Cook’s Note
When measuring flour, we spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off excess. (Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, resulting in dry baked goods.)
CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH PEANUT BUTTER SWIRL FROSTING [VEGAN}
This is from Kristen Genton at One Green Planet. The recipe begins, "This is a great basic chocolate cupcake that would go great with any frosting, but here it's topped with a generous swirl of chocolatey peanut butter bliss. Definitely make these the next time you're craving a cupcake!"
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/chocolate-cupcakes-with-peanut-butter-swirl-frosting/.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
1-3/4 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 tablespoon baking soda
1/4 tablespoon salt
1/2 cup cocoa powder
For the Peanut Butter Swirl Frosting:
3 tablespoons vegan butter
2/3 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon almond milk
3/4 cup powdered sugar
For the Chocolate Swirl Frosting:
5 tablespoons vegan butter
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 tablespoon melted vegan dark chocolate
3/4 cup powdered sugar
Preparation
To Make the Cupcakes:
Add dry ingredients to the mixer and mix until fully combined.
Combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl and add to the dry. Mix until completely smooth (about 3 minutes).
Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.
To Make the Peanut Butter Swirl:
Cream vegan butter with peanut butter. Slowly add in powdered sugar until smooth. Whisk in almond milk at the end.
To Make the Chocolate Swirl:
Cream vegan butter and peanut butter. Slowly add in powdered sugar and cocoa powder until smooth. Beat in melted chocolate until combined.
To Decorate:
In a piping bag, add the peanut butter frosting to one side, and the chocolate swirl to the other side.
HOT CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES [VEGAN]
This is from Holly Jade at One Green Planet. Cooking Time: 20 minutes; Serves 8-10
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/hot-chocolate-cupcakes-vegan/.
Ingredients
Cakes:
1 cup of dairy-free milk (this recipe used almond)
1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
1-2/3 cups of self-raising flour
1 cup of golden caster sugar
2 tablespoons of cacao/cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
1/4 cup of coconut oil (Melted)
Buttercream:
1/2 cup of butter
4 cups of icing sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Dairy-free milk (if needed)
Decorations:
Vegan marshmallows
Dark chocolate
Cacao powder
Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a cupcake tin with cupcake cases.
In a small bowl, combine the almond milk with the apple cider vinegar and whisk until fully combined. Set aside for 10 minutes to curdle. This creates a vegan 'buttermilk'.
In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, sugar, cacao/cocoa powder, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda. Mix well to combine.
Add the melted coconut oil to the 'buttermilk' and whisk to combine.
Add the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until a smooth batter.
Fill the cases 3/4 full with the batter. Make sure to tap the tins on the worktop to remove any air bubbles.
Pop the cakes into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. You will know they are done when you put a knife or skewer in and it comes out clean and they are springy to the touch.
Place the cupcakes on a cooling rack and allow to cool fully before frosting.
Cream the butter in a bowl, on a high speed until creamy.
When your butter/margarine is creamy & light in color, add in the icing sugar and vanilla extract. Whizz together until fluffy & fully combined. Add a splash of dairy-free milk if too thick.
Transfer the buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a large round nozzle. Core the cupcakes and fill with some vegan chocolate sauce (optional).
Pipe a bulb of buttercream onto each cupcake.
Decorate with marshmallows, a sprinkle of cacao/cocoa powder and chocolate sauce.
Notes
Serve these cupcakes fresh or store in a sealed container in or out of the fridge, the buttercream will firm up at room temperature. Best eaten within a few days.
PEACH UPSIDE DOWN SKILLET CAKE WITH BOURBON WHIPPED CREAM
This is from Virginia Willis and adapted by Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. (If you haven't signed up for the cooking newsletter yet, you really should! Lots of wonderful recipes in there!)
Anyway, Julia wrote, "A lush combination of a Southern upside-down cake and a French tarte tatin, this cake is deeply caramelized on top and light and fluffy beneath. The chef Virginia Willis, who put the recipe together, uses a whole vanilla bean, but if you don't feel like making that investment, a teaspoon of strong pure vanilla extract is fine. She uses a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet, but a heavy nonstick one would work too. The whipped cream is optional, as is the bourbon that brightens it; you can add vanilla, confectioners' sugar or both if you prefer."
Yield: 8 servings; Time: 1-1/4 hours, plus cooling
This was featured in "Is It Southern Food, or Soul Food?", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019456-peach-upside-down-skillet-cake-with-bourbon-whipped-cream.
Ingredients
For the cake:
4 medium peaches (about 1-1/2 pounds), unpeeled and cut into 1/3-inch-thick wedges
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cup cake flour, not self-rising
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup granulated sugar
5 ounces unsalted butter (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons), at cool room temperature
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped, or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
For the bourbon whipped cream (optional):
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon bourbon
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper. (This is in case the cake bubbles over during baking.)
In a large bowl, toss the peaches with the lemon juice. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and baking soda.
In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, cook 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sugar melts and turns a deep amber color, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and immediately add 2 tablespoons of the butter, stirring vigorously. The mixture may appear curdled and broken; don’t worry, it will smooth out. Arrange the peach wedges in concentric circles over the sugar mixture, overlapping as needed to make them fit.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the remaining sugar, butter and the vanilla bean seeds (or vanilla extract) on medium speed until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Add the sour cream and beat until blended. With the mixer running on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture, beating just until blended and stopping to scrape bowl as needed. Spoon the batter over the peaches in the skillet and spread to cover.
Place the skillet on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes.
Make the whipped cream, if desired: In a large bowl, preferably metal, combine cream and bourbon. Refrigerate, along with a metal whisk or mixer attachments, for at least 15 minutes. Once chilled, whip the mixture until it holds soft peaks, 3 to 5 minutes.
Let the cake cool in the skillet on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge to loosen. If you see liquid around the edges of the skillet, carefully pour off into a measuring cup and set aside. (It’s O.K. if you don’t have any excess liquid — it all depends on how juicy your fruit is.)
Carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate and drizzle with any reserved liquid. Let cool about 10 minutes more, to set. Cut into wedges using a serrated knife and serve, topping each slice with whipped cream if you like.
MILLION DOLLAR CAKE
This is from Allrecipes, and begins, "A cake made from yellow cake mix is frosted with a cream cheese, mandarin orange, and pineapple mixture for a light and refreshing cake."
Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Additional: 9 hours; Total Time: 9 hours 55 minutes; Servings: 12; Yield: 1 (8 or 9 inch) layer cake
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/7903/million-dollar-cake/.
Ingredients
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
8 ounces cream cheese
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
2 (8 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Directions
Mix and bake cake mix as per package instruction for two 8 or 9 inch round layers. Let layers cool, and then split each layer in half so as to have 4 layers.
In a large bowl, whip cream cheese until soft, and then gradually mix in confectioners' sugar. Stir in the pineapple with juice and the drained mandarin oranges, reserving about 5 mandarin orange slices to decorate the top of cake. Mix in the dry pudding mix. Fold in the whipped topping.
Place one cake layer on a cake plate cut side up; spread with frosting. Place another layer cut side down on the first one, and top with more frosting. Repeat until all layers are used, spreading last bit of frosting on top and sides of cake. Decorate with reserved mandarin orange slices. Refrigerate overnight before serving.
CLASSIC BIRTHDAY CAKE
This is from Alison Roman in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Alison wrote, "A birthday cake needn't be elaborate. A few layers of tender yellow cake and creamy chocolate frosting will do the trick. In this version of the classic pairing, brown sugar and buttermilk provide a sophisticated flavor to the cake, and sour cream adds a slight tang to the chocolate frosting. It’s worth noting that both the cake and frosting can be made ahead. Just make sure you bring the frosting to room temperature before assembly so that it spreads easily. One note: The buttermilk and brown sugar in the batter means that the cake might appear slightly darker on the outside after baking than your typical yellow cake, but don't worry. The inside will be tender and moist."
Yield: 10 to 12 servings; Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes plus chilling
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019045-classic-birthday-cake.
While you're at it, check out Melissa Clark's wonderful guide, "How to Frost a Cake".
Ingredients
For the yellow cake:
Nonstick spray or butter for the pan
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces, plus more, if necessary, for greasing the pans
3-2/3 cups all-purpose or cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
5 large eggs
3 large egg yolks
For the chocolate frosting:
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (chocolate chips are fine)
8 ounces sour cream, room temperature
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Generous pinch of kosher salt
Lots of sprinkles
Preparation
For the cake: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray three 9-inch cake pans with nonstick spray or grease with softened butter. If your oven cannot accommodate all 3 pans on one middle rack, while the oven is still cool, arrange 2 racks as close to the middle as possible, allowing enough space between them for the cakes on the lower rack to rise without touching the one above it.
In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda together; set aside. In a medium bowl (or a measuring cup), combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract; set aside.
In a large bowl, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, sugar and light brown sugar. Using an electric mixer (or the stand mixer) on high, beat everything together until it’s very light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add in the eggs and egg yolks one at a time, beating between additions. Beat the batter until it’s almost doubled in volume and very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes, occasionally scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl.
With the mixer on low, gently beat in 1/3 of the flour mixture. Before it’s fully combined, add in 1/2 of the buttermilk mixture. Repeat with remaining flour and buttermilk until everything is well blended and no lumps remain.
Divide the cake batter equally among the three cake pans. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, rotating the pan or rack placement halfway through baking. You’ll know the cakes are done when they are golden brown, pulling away from the sides of the pan, and the tops spring back ever so slightly when you press them.
Remove the cakes from the oven and let sit for five minutes to cool slightly before inverting them onto a wire baking rack to cool completely.
Make the frosting and assemble the cake: Melt the chocolate either in a bowl in the microwave in 30-second intervals until melted, or in a double boiler or makeshift double boiler (a bowl set over a bowl of barely simmering water on the stove, but not touching the water), stirring occasionally until melted. The melted chocolate should be warm but never hot, with no visible chunks left.
Add about 1/3 of the sour cream to the melted chocolate and using a spatula, combine until no white streaks remain. Repeat with another 1/3, and finally the last 1/3. The chocolate will stiffen a bit as you add the sour cream, and this is O.K.
In a large bowl, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, sugar and salt. Using an electric mixer (or the stand mixer) on low speed at first to avoid showering yourself with sugar, and then increasing to high speed, beat until everything is fluffy and almost pure white, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low, slowly add in the chocolate mixture and blend. Increase the speed to high and beat until everything is very fluffy and well combined, about 2 minutes.
Once cakes are cooled, transfer one layer of cake, top side up, to a large parchment-lined plate. Use an offset or regular spatula to spread frosting onto the first layer of cake. Place second layer of cake on top, bottom side up (layering the rest of cake with the flat bottoms on top makes a cake with a straight shape, rather than domed). Repeat with remaining layer.
Once all the layers are assembled, apply a thin layer of frosting all over the cake, making sure to cover the whole cake. Chill the cake for 2 hours, keeping the frosting out at room temperature.
Remove the cake from the fridge and using either an offset spatula or a butter knife, give it another coat of frosting, doing whatever decorative patterns or swirls you wish: very smooth, or peaks and valleys.
Finish and decorate with sprinkles however you please.
Tip
This cake might appear slightly darker on the outside after baking than your typical yellow cake, but don't worry. The inside will be tender and moist.
RHUBARB CAKE
This is from Emily Weinberger on the Food Network site. The recipe begins, "Greek yogurt is the secret to this rhubarb cake, producing a sweet and tangy batter. The crunchy topping--spiced with nutmeg and ginger--gives off serious coffee cake vibes. It's perfect for breakfast with a mug of tea and makes a showstopping and delicious dessert for a dinner party."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes (including cooling time); Yield: 10 to 12 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/rhubarb-cake-12470457.
Ingredients
Crumb Topping:
3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch of ground nutmeg
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Cake:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing the pan
2 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
3 stalks rhubarb (about 7-1/2 ounces), sliced 1/8 inch thick (about 3 cups)
Directions
For the crumb topping: Combined the flour, brown sugar, oats, ginger, salt and nutmeg in a small bowl. Add the butter and mix thoroughly with your fingers or a fork until all the butter has been evenly distributed and incorporated into the flour. Form into small to medium clumps with your fingers. Set aside.
For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8-inch square cake pan.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
Beat the butter and granulated sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer (or using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment) on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and mix the flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with the Greek yogurt in 2 parts, beginning and ending with the flour and beating until just incorporated. Fold in the rhubarb using a rubber spatula. Take care not to overmix the batter.
Spoon the batter (it will be thick) into the prepared pan and smooth with an offset spatula. Sprinkle on the crumb topping, distributing it evenly.
Bake until the topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with just a few moist crumbs, 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 1 hour.
Cook’s Note
When measuring flour, we spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off excess. (Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, resulting in dry baked goods.)
CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH PEANUT BUTTER SWIRL FROSTING [VEGAN}
This is from Kristen Genton at One Green Planet. The recipe begins, "This is a great basic chocolate cupcake that would go great with any frosting, but here it's topped with a generous swirl of chocolatey peanut butter bliss. Definitely make these the next time you're craving a cupcake!"
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/chocolate-cupcakes-with-peanut-butter-swirl-frosting/.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
1-3/4 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 tablespoon baking soda
1/4 tablespoon salt
1/2 cup cocoa powder
For the Peanut Butter Swirl Frosting:
3 tablespoons vegan butter
2/3 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon almond milk
3/4 cup powdered sugar
For the Chocolate Swirl Frosting:
5 tablespoons vegan butter
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 tablespoon melted vegan dark chocolate
3/4 cup powdered sugar
Preparation
To Make the Cupcakes:
Add dry ingredients to the mixer and mix until fully combined.
Combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl and add to the dry. Mix until completely smooth (about 3 minutes).
Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.
To Make the Peanut Butter Swirl:
Cream vegan butter with peanut butter. Slowly add in powdered sugar until smooth. Whisk in almond milk at the end.
To Make the Chocolate Swirl:
Cream vegan butter and peanut butter. Slowly add in powdered sugar and cocoa powder until smooth. Beat in melted chocolate until combined.
To Decorate:
In a piping bag, add the peanut butter frosting to one side, and the chocolate swirl to the other side.
HOT CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES [VEGAN]
This is from Holly Jade at One Green Planet. Cooking Time: 20 minutes; Serves 8-10
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/hot-chocolate-cupcakes-vegan/.
Ingredients
Cakes:
1 cup of dairy-free milk (this recipe used almond)
1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
1-2/3 cups of self-raising flour
1 cup of golden caster sugar
2 tablespoons of cacao/cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
1/4 cup of coconut oil (Melted)
Buttercream:
1/2 cup of butter
4 cups of icing sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Dairy-free milk (if needed)
Decorations:
Vegan marshmallows
Dark chocolate
Cacao powder
Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a cupcake tin with cupcake cases.
In a small bowl, combine the almond milk with the apple cider vinegar and whisk until fully combined. Set aside for 10 minutes to curdle. This creates a vegan 'buttermilk'.
In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, sugar, cacao/cocoa powder, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda. Mix well to combine.
Add the melted coconut oil to the 'buttermilk' and whisk to combine.
Add the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until a smooth batter.
Fill the cases 3/4 full with the batter. Make sure to tap the tins on the worktop to remove any air bubbles.
Pop the cakes into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. You will know they are done when you put a knife or skewer in and it comes out clean and they are springy to the touch.
Place the cupcakes on a cooling rack and allow to cool fully before frosting.
Cream the butter in a bowl, on a high speed until creamy.
When your butter/margarine is creamy & light in color, add in the icing sugar and vanilla extract. Whizz together until fluffy & fully combined. Add a splash of dairy-free milk if too thick.
Transfer the buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a large round nozzle. Core the cupcakes and fill with some vegan chocolate sauce (optional).
Pipe a bulb of buttercream onto each cupcake.
Decorate with marshmallows, a sprinkle of cacao/cocoa powder and chocolate sauce.
Notes
Serve these cupcakes fresh or store in a sealed container in or out of the fridge, the buttercream will firm up at room temperature. Best eaten within a few days.
PEACH UPSIDE DOWN SKILLET CAKE WITH BOURBON WHIPPED CREAM
This is from Virginia Willis and adapted by Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. (If you haven't signed up for the cooking newsletter yet, you really should! Lots of wonderful recipes in there!)
Anyway, Julia wrote, "A lush combination of a Southern upside-down cake and a French tarte tatin, this cake is deeply caramelized on top and light and fluffy beneath. The chef Virginia Willis, who put the recipe together, uses a whole vanilla bean, but if you don't feel like making that investment, a teaspoon of strong pure vanilla extract is fine. She uses a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet, but a heavy nonstick one would work too. The whipped cream is optional, as is the bourbon that brightens it; you can add vanilla, confectioners' sugar or both if you prefer."
Yield: 8 servings; Time: 1-1/4 hours, plus cooling
This was featured in "Is It Southern Food, or Soul Food?", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019456-peach-upside-down-skillet-cake-with-bourbon-whipped-cream.
Ingredients
For the cake:
4 medium peaches (about 1-1/2 pounds), unpeeled and cut into 1/3-inch-thick wedges
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cup cake flour, not self-rising
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup granulated sugar
5 ounces unsalted butter (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons), at cool room temperature
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped, or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
For the bourbon whipped cream (optional):
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon bourbon
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper. (This is in case the cake bubbles over during baking.)
In a large bowl, toss the peaches with the lemon juice. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and baking soda.
In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, cook 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sugar melts and turns a deep amber color, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and immediately add 2 tablespoons of the butter, stirring vigorously. The mixture may appear curdled and broken; don’t worry, it will smooth out. Arrange the peach wedges in concentric circles over the sugar mixture, overlapping as needed to make them fit.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the remaining sugar, butter and the vanilla bean seeds (or vanilla extract) on medium speed until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Add the sour cream and beat until blended. With the mixer running on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture, beating just until blended and stopping to scrape bowl as needed. Spoon the batter over the peaches in the skillet and spread to cover.
Place the skillet on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes.
Make the whipped cream, if desired: In a large bowl, preferably metal, combine cream and bourbon. Refrigerate, along with a metal whisk or mixer attachments, for at least 15 minutes. Once chilled, whip the mixture until it holds soft peaks, 3 to 5 minutes.
Let the cake cool in the skillet on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge to loosen. If you see liquid around the edges of the skillet, carefully pour off into a measuring cup and set aside. (It’s O.K. if you don’t have any excess liquid — it all depends on how juicy your fruit is.)
Carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate and drizzle with any reserved liquid. Let cool about 10 minutes more, to set. Cut into wedges using a serrated knife and serve, topping each slice with whipped cream if you like.
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