Whether you want to admit it or not, everyone has a sweet tooth. Ok, so I have met probably two people in my life who honestly don't like chocolate or cake, but that's just flat out wrong if you ask me. There's nothing wrong with sweets, you just can't sit there being a fat kid and eat the whole thing after you bake it, no matter how good it is. (You could always go run half way around the world to burn off the calories, but I know I definitely don't have the energy or will-power for that.)
So here's how the story went. . . . I was still in college, living off campus in my apartment and it was late, too late for the grocery to get something. While standing in front of my bookshelf looking at my baking books I thought there must be something in one of these with basic kitchen ingredients so I'm not cutting out half the recipe and ending up with a deformed flat cake. With out caring really what was in the cake, I found a recipe with flour, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and zest. Quickly looking in my fridge for eggs, butter and zest of either an orange or lime, excitedly found them and got out the rest of the ingredients. This cake was so simple to make and when it was done baking not only did my apartment smell amazing but I was amazed it even turned out! Since the happenings upon this cake, the baking book calls it "Swedish Visiting Cake"and when I make it for my parents my Dad asks if the cake is staying over, very funny, I have tested other ingredients. I have made flavors like lime, lemon almond, chocolate cinnamon, chocolate orange, orange and grande manier, fresh mango & lime, and a citrus blend. I like more flavors than others but really the combinations are endless.
AND the best part about the cake, you can make the whole recipe or half and once you make it, it's easy to remember because it's pretty all equal parts.
Here is the simplest, easiest, won't ever mess up and always turn out perfect in texture, flavor, and moist-ness CAKE:
** Preheat the oven to 375 degree on Bake.
1 mixing bowl
microwave proof bowl
whisk
rubber spatula
cake pan & PAM for Baking spray
1 cake plate
1 cup All-Purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 stick of butter, melted & cooled to room temp.
2 whole eggs, room temp.
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
zest of: 1 orange or 2 limes or 1 lemon
Melt the butter in the microwave in 30 second intervals. Let stand at room temp.
In the mixing bowl combine zest and sugar. Massage zest into the sugar using your hands until fragrant and the sugar has changed colors.
Whisk in one egg at a time, completely into the zest/sugar mixture, the batter should be light yellow. Add salt and vanilla extract.
Using the spatula, fold in the flour. The batter will be very thick at this time, it's ok.
Pour in the melted stick of butter. Carefully incorporate using the spatula; if you need help use the whisk. Do not over mix.
Spray your favorite cake pan with PAM for baking (flour in the canola oil spray). Pour in the batter.
Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until cooked through (test with wooden skewer) and light brown.
Pull out of oven, cool for 1 minute. Cut around the outside and then place a plate on top and using a towel or oven mitt so you don't burn yourself, gently flip the cake onto the plate, will come right out.
If you can't resist, you may cut your cake now or wait until room temp and devour. To store, just let cake to room temp if you haven't already done so and wrap in plastic. It does not need to be refrigerated, and will still be moist and good a week later if wrapped tightly.
Other flavors that are sure to please:
**Chocolate-Orange = zest of 1 orange, 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips melted, replace 2 Tbsp. of flour with 2 Tbsp. of good quality coco-powder.
* Orange - Grande Manier = zest of 1 orange. When cake is still hot, after flipping it onto the plate, pour on a simple syrup with 1 shot Grande Manier, 1 part water and 2 parts sugar. You can make the simple syrup and then add the liquor and pour on top or you can cook out some of the alcohol by cooking it in the simple syrup.
I brought the Chocolate-Orange flavor to work, it was devoured while many comments of "This is soo good" were exclaimed! Everyone loved it and I'm sure you will too after you make this cake. This simple sweet never tasted soo good.
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