Cake
Today's post deals with cake, and includes Mandarin Orange Cake and Coca-Cola Cake. Enjoy!
CARROT CAKE
This is from Dorie Greenspan in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yumminess, Dorie wrote, "This classic carrot cake recipe is not overly spiced, and it has texture from the grated carrots, shredded coconut, chopped nuts and raisins. If your dried fruit feels dry, plump it either by steaming the fruit for a couple of minutes; pouring boiling water over the fruit then draining it; or even just running it under hot tap water. Pat the fruit dry before using it. There’s enough frosting to fill the layers and cover the sides and top of the cake, but each layer is covered generously, so generously that when the next layer goes on the frosting ripples out around the edges. Then just swirl the frosting over the top, leaving the sides bare."
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes, pluse at least 15 minutes' refrigeration; Yield: 8 to 12 servings
This was featured in "The Baker’s Apprentice: Carrot Cake," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015523-carrot-cake. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more. Go ahead, I'll wait. (Tap, tap, tap...)
Ingredients
For the Cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups grated carrots (you can grate the carrots in a food processor fitted with a shredding blade)
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans
1 cup shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened
1/2 cup moist, plump raisins (dark or golden) or dried cranberries
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola or safflower oil
4 large eggs
For the Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 pound (3-3/4 cups) confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or 1/2 teaspoon pure lemon extract
1/2 cup shredded coconut, optional
Toasted finely chopped nuts and/or toasted coconut, for topping, optional
Preparation
For the cake: Position the racks to divide the oven into thirds and preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour three 9-inch round, 2-inch deep cake pans, flour the insides and tap out the excess.
Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt and set aside. In another bowl, stir together the carrots, chopped nuts, coconut and raisins.
Working in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a whisk, beat the sugar and oil together until smooth. Add the eggs one by one and continue to beat until the batter is even smoother. If you are working in a mixer, reduce the speed to low, if you're working by hand switch to a large rubber spatula, and gently stir in the flour mixture — mix only until the dry ingredients disappear. Just as gently, stir in the chunky ingredients.
Divide the batter among the baking pans and slide the pans into the oven. Bake the cakes for 40 to 50 minutes, rotating the pans top to bottom and front to back at the midway point. The cakes are properly baked when a knife inserted into the centers of the cakes comes out clean; the cakes will just start to come away from the edges. Transfer the pans to cooling racks, cool for 5 minutes, then turn out onto racks to cool to room temperature. (At this point, the cakes can be wrapped airtight and kept at room temperature overnight or frozen for up to 2 months; thaw before frosting.)
For the frosting: Working in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and continue to beat until the frosting is velvety smooth. Beat in the lemon juice or extract.
If you'd like to have coconut in the filling, scoop out about 1/2 of the frosting and stir the coconut into this portion.
To frost the cake, place one layer of the cake, right-side up, on a cardboard round or a cake plate. If you've added coconut to the frosting, use half of coconut frosting to generously cover the first layer. Use an offset spatula or a spoon to smooth the frosting all the way to the edges of the layer. Top with the second layer, this time placing the cake top-side down. Frost with the remainder of the coconut frosting. Top with the last layer, right-side up and use the plain frosting to cover the top — and the sides, if you want – of the cake. Finish the top layer with swirls of frosting. If you want to top the cake with toasted nuts or coconut, sprinkle on these ingredients now, while the frosting is soft. Slide the cake into the refrigerator for 15 minutes, just to set the frosting.
Serving: The cake can be served as soon as the frosting is set. It can also wait, at room temperature and covered with a cake keeper, overnight. The cake is best served in thick slices at room temperature and, while it's good plain, it's better with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream or even some lemon curd with a little whipped cream folded in.
Storing: Covered the cake will keep at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. It can also be frozen, uncovered, and then, when it is firmed, wrapped airtight and kept in the freezer for up to 2 months; defrost, still wrapped, in the refrigerator overnight.
HEAVENLY CHOCOLATE CAKE
This recipe is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "If you're looking for a diabetic chocolate cake recipe for your recipe box, then you've got to try this Heavenly Chocolate Cake. You're going to love the tasty combination of chocolate cake with a surprising creamy layer at the bottom. It's made with healthier ingredients, and has under 10g of sugar per serving. After one taste, we can pretty much guarantee you're going to want to make this recipe a permanent part of your collection."
Cook Time: 50 minutes; Chill Time: 4 hours; Serves: 20; Serving Size: 1 (1-1/2 X 2-inch) slice
To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Cakes/Heavenly-Chocolate-Cake.
Ingredients
2 pounds fat-free ricotta cheese
3 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (16-ounce) package sugar-free chocolate cake mix
1 (1.4-ounce) package sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup fat-free milk
1 (8-ounce) container fat-free frozen whipped topping, thawed
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, with a hand mixer, beat ricotta cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla until smooth; set aside. In another large bowl, prepare cake mix according to package directions. Pour cake batter evenly into baking dish. Slowly pour cheese mixture evenly over cake batter.
Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
In a medium bowl, whisk pudding mix and milk until smooth. Fold whipped topping into pudding until well combined. Spread mixture on top of cake.
Refrigerate 4 hours or until ready to serve.
Do You Believe in Magic?
This Heavenly Chocolate Cake actually does a bit of magic while it's baking in the oven. Your layers will actually reverse from the order that you put them into your baking dish. How cool is that?!
COCA-COLA CAKE
This is from Afton Cyrus on Simply Recipes. For this recipe, Afton wrote, "What makes Coca-Cola cake so craveable? It’s a moist and tender chocolate cake with rich cocoa flavors topped with a thin chocolate frosting. The cola complements and deepens the chocolate flavor, and the carbonation in the soda acts as a leavening agent in the cake. The shiny, crackly glaze, also flavored with another hit of cola, is the perfect contrast to the fudgy, moist interior."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 80 minutes; Servings: 12; Yield: 1 (9x13-inch) cake
To view this online, as well as to read everything Afton wrote, click here.
Ingredients
For the cake
Nonstick cooking spray
1 (12-ounce) can Coca-Cola (or other cola-flavored soft drink)
2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter
1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-3/4 cups granulated sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the icing
1 (12-ounce) can Coca-Cola (or other cola-flavored soft drink)
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, cubed
1/4 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
To make the cake, in a medium saucepan, combine the cola, butter, and cocoa. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring frequently to make sure it doesn’t boil over, until the butter is melted and the ingredients are well-combined, about 7 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
In a large heatproof bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Pour the warm cola mixture into the flour mixture and whisk until no dry streaks remain. Whisk in the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla until combined.
Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, spreading it into an even layer. Bake until the edges of the cake begin to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 28 to 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool in the baking pan on a wire rack while preparing the frosting.
To make the frosting, in a large saucepan, bring the cola to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil, undisturbed, until the cola has reduced to 1/3 cup, about 15 minutes.
Add the butter and cocoa to the reduced cola and continue to cook, whisking constantly, until the butter is melted and the cocoa is thoroughly combined, about 30 seconds. Add the powdered sugar and salt and whisk until smooth.
Immediately pour the frosting over the warm cake, spreading it into an even layer. Let the frosted cake rest until cooled to room temperature and the frosting is fully set, about 1 1/2 hours. Slice and serve.
Tip
Spreading frosting over a hot cake may seem unusual, but the heat allows it to spread easily over the cake’s surface and gives the frosting a shiny sheen.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
MANDARIN ORANGE CAKE
This is from Shannon Feulner at TheKitchn. For this yumminess, Shannon wrote, "I grew up making boxed yellow cake with my mom for countless family gatherings, so there’s something instantly comforting about this mandarin orange cake. Perfect for those impromptu summer gatherings, this Southern classic (aka pig pickin’ cake) is traditionally made with boxed cake mix, instant vanilla pudding, and Cool Whip. And while I’ll never turn down a slice of good-ol’ boxed cake, the pastry chef in me couldn’t resist giving this semi-homemade dessert a bit of a glow-up.
"In my riff, the addition of butter to the cake batter makes for a richer flavor, and a simple-yet-strategic swap of freshly whipped cream for Cool Whip keeps the overall sweetness in check. The result is a super-moist cake speckled with mandarin oranges that leans ever-so-slightly into pound cake territory. It’s frosted with a light and airy whipped topping that is perfectly sweet, thanks to the tangy bursts of pineapple. Light and tropical, yet unbelievably decadent, this mandarin orange cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser."
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Cook Time: 30 to 40 minutes; Serves 15 to 20
To view this online, as well as read all the wonderful notes that Shannon added, go to https://www.thekitchn.com/mandarin-orange-cake-23734231.
Ingredients
For the cake:
Cooking spray
1 (15-ounce) can mandarin orange segments in light syrup
1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
4 large eggs
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup lightly packed sweetened shredded coconut (optional)
For the topping and garnish:
2 cups cold heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1-1/2 cups canned crushed pineapple in 100% pineapple juice (undrained, about 15 ounces)
1 (3.4-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh mint leaves (from 2 sprigs), for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Make the cake:
Heat the oven to 350ºF. Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom and two long sides with a sheet of parchment paper that extends over the sides by a few inches to form a sling.
Open 1 (15-ounce) can mandarin orange segments in light syrup, but do not drain. Reserve 15 of the segments for garnish.
Beat the remaining oranges and its syrup, 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix, 4 large eggs, 1 stick melted unsalted butter, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 1/2 cup lightly packed sweetened shredded coconut if using in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed until fluffy and the oranges have broken up and are evenly incorporated, about 2 minutes.
Scrape off the paddle and give the batter a final stir with a flexible spatula to disperse any coconut that got stuck on the beater when mixing. Transfer to the baking pan and smooth out the top.
Bake until the cake is golden-brown, springs back when lightly pressed, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Place on a wire rack and let cool completely, about 2-1/2 hours.
Make the topping and assemble:
Beat 2 cups cold heavy cream in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 30 seconds more.
Whisk 1-1/2 cups canned crushed pineapple and its juices, 1 (3.4-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract together in a large bowl until the pudding mix is fully dissolved. Let sit until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
Fold in the whipped cream with a flexible spatula until just combined and no pudding streaks remain.
Transfer onto the cake and spread into an even layer. Loosely cover and refrigerate until the topping is set and chilled, at least 2 hours and up to overnight. Just before serving, garnish with the reserved mandarin orange segments and fresh mint leaves if desired. If you’d like to serve it out of the pan, grasp the excess parchment and lift the slab out of the pan onto a cutting board. Cut into 15 to 20 pieces.
Recipe Notes
Substitutions: You can substitute 1 (8-ounce) container thawed whipped topping, such as Cool Whip, for the heavy cream and powdered sugar in the whipped topping. Skip Step 1 and fold it into the pudding mixture in Step 3.
Storage: Leftover cake can be refrigerated tightly wrapped in its pan or in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE
This is from Millie Peartree in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Millie wrote, "This Southern staple is the kind of cake that’s always on the table, ready to greet anyone who comes over. Good enough for dessert, it’s also not supersweet, so you could have it for breakfast with coffee or tea, or at any time of day. Made with canned pineapple and maraschino cherries (which can stay in the cupboard for a long time), it’s a delicious and beautiful cake that’s also budget friendly. The caramel finish is simple to put together, and the base is light and moist, but strong enough to hold up that joyful topping. If you don’t want to use whole milk, you could use an equal amount of the reserved pineapple juice. The end result will be slightly sweeter, but that’s not a bad thing."
Total Time: 1-1/2 hours; Yield: 8 to 12 servings
To view this yumminess online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023195-pineapple-upside-down-cake. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
For the Topping
1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and still hot
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1 (20-ounce) can pineapple slices, drained
15 to 20 maraschino cherries, stems removed
For the Cake
2 cups cake flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare the topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, butter, vanilla extract and cinnamon (if using). Pour the mixture into an ungreased 9-inch pie dish or round cake pan that’s at least 2 inches deep.
Using a clean kitchen towel or a paper towel, blot any excess liquid off the fruit. Arrange the pineapple slices to your liking in a single layer on top of the brown sugar-butter mixture, covering the base of the pan, then add the cherries wherever there’s a gap. Place the pan in the refrigerator while you prepare the rest of the cake.
Prepare the cake: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.
Using a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the butter on high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add sugar and beat on high speed until creamed together, about 1 minute, scraping down the sides and the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
On high speed, beat in the eggs, one at a time, until combined, then beat in the yogurt and vanilla extract, scraping the bowl as needed.
Pour the dry cake flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Turn the mixer to low speed and carefully pour in the milk. Beat on low speed just until all the ingredients are combined. Do not overmix. You may need to whisk it all by hand to make sure there are no lumps at the bottom of the bowl. The batter will be slightly thick.
Remove the pan from the refrigerator. Pour and spread the cake batter evenly over the topping.
Bake for 40 to 55 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. (A couple moist crumbs are OK.)
Remove cake from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Run a knife along the edge to loosen, then invert the cake onto a plate. (Take care, as the pan may still be hot.) Serve warm or at room temperature.
BETTER-THAN-ANYTHING CAKE
This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "Sure, you've probably had a good cake, and maybe even a great cake, but have you ever had a Better-Than-Anything Cake? This make-ahead poke cake is moist, creamy, crunchy, chocolatey, and most importantly, diabetic-friendly!"
Cook Time: 25 minutes; Chill Time: 4 hours; Serves: 18; Serving Size: 1 (2-1/2 x 3-inch) piece
To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Cakes/Better-Than-Anything-Cake.
Ingredients
1 (16-ounce) package sugar-free chocolate cake mix
1-1/4 cup diet cola
2 (6-ounce) containers Boston cream pie yogurt, light
1/4 cup fat-free milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8-ounce) (8-ounce) container frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
1 tablespoon chopped toffee bits candy
2 tablespoons fat-free, sugar-free caramel sauce
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix and soda; whisk until batter is smooth. Pour into baking dish.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke about 30 holes over entire cake.
In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, milk, and vanilla; mix well. Pour mixture into holes. Evenly spread whipped topping over cake and sprinkle with toffee bits.
Cover and refrigerate 4 hours, or until ready to serve. Drizzle with caramel sauce just before serving.
CARROT CAKE
This is from Dorie Greenspan in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yumminess, Dorie wrote, "This classic carrot cake recipe is not overly spiced, and it has texture from the grated carrots, shredded coconut, chopped nuts and raisins. If your dried fruit feels dry, plump it either by steaming the fruit for a couple of minutes; pouring boiling water over the fruit then draining it; or even just running it under hot tap water. Pat the fruit dry before using it. There’s enough frosting to fill the layers and cover the sides and top of the cake, but each layer is covered generously, so generously that when the next layer goes on the frosting ripples out around the edges. Then just swirl the frosting over the top, leaving the sides bare."
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes, pluse at least 15 minutes' refrigeration; Yield: 8 to 12 servings
This was featured in "The Baker’s Apprentice: Carrot Cake," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015523-carrot-cake. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more. Go ahead, I'll wait. (Tap, tap, tap...)
Ingredients
For the Cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups grated carrots (you can grate the carrots in a food processor fitted with a shredding blade)
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans
1 cup shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened
1/2 cup moist, plump raisins (dark or golden) or dried cranberries
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola or safflower oil
4 large eggs
For the Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 pound (3-3/4 cups) confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or 1/2 teaspoon pure lemon extract
1/2 cup shredded coconut, optional
Toasted finely chopped nuts and/or toasted coconut, for topping, optional
Preparation
For the cake: Position the racks to divide the oven into thirds and preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour three 9-inch round, 2-inch deep cake pans, flour the insides and tap out the excess.
Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt and set aside. In another bowl, stir together the carrots, chopped nuts, coconut and raisins.
Working in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a whisk, beat the sugar and oil together until smooth. Add the eggs one by one and continue to beat until the batter is even smoother. If you are working in a mixer, reduce the speed to low, if you're working by hand switch to a large rubber spatula, and gently stir in the flour mixture — mix only until the dry ingredients disappear. Just as gently, stir in the chunky ingredients.
Divide the batter among the baking pans and slide the pans into the oven. Bake the cakes for 40 to 50 minutes, rotating the pans top to bottom and front to back at the midway point. The cakes are properly baked when a knife inserted into the centers of the cakes comes out clean; the cakes will just start to come away from the edges. Transfer the pans to cooling racks, cool for 5 minutes, then turn out onto racks to cool to room temperature. (At this point, the cakes can be wrapped airtight and kept at room temperature overnight or frozen for up to 2 months; thaw before frosting.)
For the frosting: Working in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and continue to beat until the frosting is velvety smooth. Beat in the lemon juice or extract.
If you'd like to have coconut in the filling, scoop out about 1/2 of the frosting and stir the coconut into this portion.
To frost the cake, place one layer of the cake, right-side up, on a cardboard round or a cake plate. If you've added coconut to the frosting, use half of coconut frosting to generously cover the first layer. Use an offset spatula or a spoon to smooth the frosting all the way to the edges of the layer. Top with the second layer, this time placing the cake top-side down. Frost with the remainder of the coconut frosting. Top with the last layer, right-side up and use the plain frosting to cover the top — and the sides, if you want – of the cake. Finish the top layer with swirls of frosting. If you want to top the cake with toasted nuts or coconut, sprinkle on these ingredients now, while the frosting is soft. Slide the cake into the refrigerator for 15 minutes, just to set the frosting.
Serving: The cake can be served as soon as the frosting is set. It can also wait, at room temperature and covered with a cake keeper, overnight. The cake is best served in thick slices at room temperature and, while it's good plain, it's better with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream or even some lemon curd with a little whipped cream folded in.
Storing: Covered the cake will keep at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. It can also be frozen, uncovered, and then, when it is firmed, wrapped airtight and kept in the freezer for up to 2 months; defrost, still wrapped, in the refrigerator overnight.
HEAVENLY CHOCOLATE CAKE
This recipe is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "If you're looking for a diabetic chocolate cake recipe for your recipe box, then you've got to try this Heavenly Chocolate Cake. You're going to love the tasty combination of chocolate cake with a surprising creamy layer at the bottom. It's made with healthier ingredients, and has under 10g of sugar per serving. After one taste, we can pretty much guarantee you're going to want to make this recipe a permanent part of your collection."
Cook Time: 50 minutes; Chill Time: 4 hours; Serves: 20; Serving Size: 1 (1-1/2 X 2-inch) slice
To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Cakes/Heavenly-Chocolate-Cake.
Ingredients
2 pounds fat-free ricotta cheese
3 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (16-ounce) package sugar-free chocolate cake mix
1 (1.4-ounce) package sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup fat-free milk
1 (8-ounce) container fat-free frozen whipped topping, thawed
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, with a hand mixer, beat ricotta cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla until smooth; set aside. In another large bowl, prepare cake mix according to package directions. Pour cake batter evenly into baking dish. Slowly pour cheese mixture evenly over cake batter.
Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
In a medium bowl, whisk pudding mix and milk until smooth. Fold whipped topping into pudding until well combined. Spread mixture on top of cake.
Refrigerate 4 hours or until ready to serve.
Do You Believe in Magic?
This Heavenly Chocolate Cake actually does a bit of magic while it's baking in the oven. Your layers will actually reverse from the order that you put them into your baking dish. How cool is that?!
COCA-COLA CAKE
This is from Afton Cyrus on Simply Recipes. For this recipe, Afton wrote, "What makes Coca-Cola cake so craveable? It’s a moist and tender chocolate cake with rich cocoa flavors topped with a thin chocolate frosting. The cola complements and deepens the chocolate flavor, and the carbonation in the soda acts as a leavening agent in the cake. The shiny, crackly glaze, also flavored with another hit of cola, is the perfect contrast to the fudgy, moist interior."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 80 minutes; Servings: 12; Yield: 1 (9x13-inch) cake
To view this online, as well as to read everything Afton wrote, click here.
Ingredients
For the cake
Nonstick cooking spray
1 (12-ounce) can Coca-Cola (or other cola-flavored soft drink)
2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter
1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-3/4 cups granulated sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the icing
1 (12-ounce) can Coca-Cola (or other cola-flavored soft drink)
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, cubed
1/4 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
To make the cake, in a medium saucepan, combine the cola, butter, and cocoa. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring frequently to make sure it doesn’t boil over, until the butter is melted and the ingredients are well-combined, about 7 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
In a large heatproof bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Pour the warm cola mixture into the flour mixture and whisk until no dry streaks remain. Whisk in the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla until combined.
Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, spreading it into an even layer. Bake until the edges of the cake begin to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 28 to 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool in the baking pan on a wire rack while preparing the frosting.
To make the frosting, in a large saucepan, bring the cola to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil, undisturbed, until the cola has reduced to 1/3 cup, about 15 minutes.
Add the butter and cocoa to the reduced cola and continue to cook, whisking constantly, until the butter is melted and the cocoa is thoroughly combined, about 30 seconds. Add the powdered sugar and salt and whisk until smooth.
Immediately pour the frosting over the warm cake, spreading it into an even layer. Let the frosted cake rest until cooled to room temperature and the frosting is fully set, about 1 1/2 hours. Slice and serve.
Tip
Spreading frosting over a hot cake may seem unusual, but the heat allows it to spread easily over the cake’s surface and gives the frosting a shiny sheen.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
MANDARIN ORANGE CAKE
This is from Shannon Feulner at TheKitchn. For this yumminess, Shannon wrote, "I grew up making boxed yellow cake with my mom for countless family gatherings, so there’s something instantly comforting about this mandarin orange cake. Perfect for those impromptu summer gatherings, this Southern classic (aka pig pickin’ cake) is traditionally made with boxed cake mix, instant vanilla pudding, and Cool Whip. And while I’ll never turn down a slice of good-ol’ boxed cake, the pastry chef in me couldn’t resist giving this semi-homemade dessert a bit of a glow-up.
"In my riff, the addition of butter to the cake batter makes for a richer flavor, and a simple-yet-strategic swap of freshly whipped cream for Cool Whip keeps the overall sweetness in check. The result is a super-moist cake speckled with mandarin oranges that leans ever-so-slightly into pound cake territory. It’s frosted with a light and airy whipped topping that is perfectly sweet, thanks to the tangy bursts of pineapple. Light and tropical, yet unbelievably decadent, this mandarin orange cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser."
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Cook Time: 30 to 40 minutes; Serves 15 to 20
To view this online, as well as read all the wonderful notes that Shannon added, go to https://www.thekitchn.com/mandarin-orange-cake-23734231.
Ingredients
For the cake:
Cooking spray
1 (15-ounce) can mandarin orange segments in light syrup
1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
4 large eggs
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup lightly packed sweetened shredded coconut (optional)
For the topping and garnish:
2 cups cold heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1-1/2 cups canned crushed pineapple in 100% pineapple juice (undrained, about 15 ounces)
1 (3.4-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh mint leaves (from 2 sprigs), for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Make the cake:
Heat the oven to 350ºF. Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom and two long sides with a sheet of parchment paper that extends over the sides by a few inches to form a sling.
Open 1 (15-ounce) can mandarin orange segments in light syrup, but do not drain. Reserve 15 of the segments for garnish.
Beat the remaining oranges and its syrup, 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix, 4 large eggs, 1 stick melted unsalted butter, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 1/2 cup lightly packed sweetened shredded coconut if using in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed until fluffy and the oranges have broken up and are evenly incorporated, about 2 minutes.
Scrape off the paddle and give the batter a final stir with a flexible spatula to disperse any coconut that got stuck on the beater when mixing. Transfer to the baking pan and smooth out the top.
Bake until the cake is golden-brown, springs back when lightly pressed, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Place on a wire rack and let cool completely, about 2-1/2 hours.
Make the topping and assemble:
Beat 2 cups cold heavy cream in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 30 seconds more.
Whisk 1-1/2 cups canned crushed pineapple and its juices, 1 (3.4-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract together in a large bowl until the pudding mix is fully dissolved. Let sit until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
Fold in the whipped cream with a flexible spatula until just combined and no pudding streaks remain.
Transfer onto the cake and spread into an even layer. Loosely cover and refrigerate until the topping is set and chilled, at least 2 hours and up to overnight. Just before serving, garnish with the reserved mandarin orange segments and fresh mint leaves if desired. If you’d like to serve it out of the pan, grasp the excess parchment and lift the slab out of the pan onto a cutting board. Cut into 15 to 20 pieces.
Recipe Notes
Substitutions: You can substitute 1 (8-ounce) container thawed whipped topping, such as Cool Whip, for the heavy cream and powdered sugar in the whipped topping. Skip Step 1 and fold it into the pudding mixture in Step 3.
Storage: Leftover cake can be refrigerated tightly wrapped in its pan or in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE
This is from Millie Peartree in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Millie wrote, "This Southern staple is the kind of cake that’s always on the table, ready to greet anyone who comes over. Good enough for dessert, it’s also not supersweet, so you could have it for breakfast with coffee or tea, or at any time of day. Made with canned pineapple and maraschino cherries (which can stay in the cupboard for a long time), it’s a delicious and beautiful cake that’s also budget friendly. The caramel finish is simple to put together, and the base is light and moist, but strong enough to hold up that joyful topping. If you don’t want to use whole milk, you could use an equal amount of the reserved pineapple juice. The end result will be slightly sweeter, but that’s not a bad thing."
Total Time: 1-1/2 hours; Yield: 8 to 12 servings
To view this yumminess online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023195-pineapple-upside-down-cake. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
For the Topping
1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and still hot
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1 (20-ounce) can pineapple slices, drained
15 to 20 maraschino cherries, stems removed
For the Cake
2 cups cake flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare the topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, butter, vanilla extract and cinnamon (if using). Pour the mixture into an ungreased 9-inch pie dish or round cake pan that’s at least 2 inches deep.
Using a clean kitchen towel or a paper towel, blot any excess liquid off the fruit. Arrange the pineapple slices to your liking in a single layer on top of the brown sugar-butter mixture, covering the base of the pan, then add the cherries wherever there’s a gap. Place the pan in the refrigerator while you prepare the rest of the cake.
Prepare the cake: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.
Using a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the butter on high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add sugar and beat on high speed until creamed together, about 1 minute, scraping down the sides and the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
On high speed, beat in the eggs, one at a time, until combined, then beat in the yogurt and vanilla extract, scraping the bowl as needed.
Pour the dry cake flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Turn the mixer to low speed and carefully pour in the milk. Beat on low speed just until all the ingredients are combined. Do not overmix. You may need to whisk it all by hand to make sure there are no lumps at the bottom of the bowl. The batter will be slightly thick.
Remove the pan from the refrigerator. Pour and spread the cake batter evenly over the topping.
Bake for 40 to 55 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. (A couple moist crumbs are OK.)
Remove cake from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Run a knife along the edge to loosen, then invert the cake onto a plate. (Take care, as the pan may still be hot.) Serve warm or at room temperature.
BETTER-THAN-ANYTHING CAKE
This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "Sure, you've probably had a good cake, and maybe even a great cake, but have you ever had a Better-Than-Anything Cake? This make-ahead poke cake is moist, creamy, crunchy, chocolatey, and most importantly, diabetic-friendly!"
Cook Time: 25 minutes; Chill Time: 4 hours; Serves: 18; Serving Size: 1 (2-1/2 x 3-inch) piece
To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Cakes/Better-Than-Anything-Cake.
Ingredients
1 (16-ounce) package sugar-free chocolate cake mix
1-1/4 cup diet cola
2 (6-ounce) containers Boston cream pie yogurt, light
1/4 cup fat-free milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8-ounce) (8-ounce) container frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
1 tablespoon chopped toffee bits candy
2 tablespoons fat-free, sugar-free caramel sauce
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix and soda; whisk until batter is smooth. Pour into baking dish.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke about 30 holes over entire cake.
In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, milk, and vanilla; mix well. Pour mixture into holes. Evenly spread whipped topping over cake and sprinkle with toffee bits.
Cover and refrigerate 4 hours, or until ready to serve. Drizzle with caramel sauce just before serving.
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