Remember years ago when Wacky Cake was so popular? Wacky cake is a spongy, cocoa-based cake that is so unique in that there are no eggs, butter or milk used to make the batter. I like to make this cake when I bake with my grandsons as mixing is so easy and can be made right in the cake pan. Frost with your favorite frosting or simply sprinkle with a little powdered sugar.
■ Wacky Cake
● 1 cup sugar
● 1 1/2 cups flour
● 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
● 1 teaspoon baking soda
● 1/2 teaspoon salt
● 1 tablespoon vinegar
● 1 teaspoon vanilla
● 6 tablespoons oil
● 1 cup water
Sift together dry ingredients into a ungreased 8-inch by 8-inch by 2-inch pan. Make three holes in the cocoa-flour mixture. In one hole put vinegar, in one hole put vanilla and in one hole put oil. Pour water over all. Stir with a fork until lumps are gone. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until done.
■ Cocoa buttercream frosting
● 1/3 cup soft (or melted) butter, about 1/2 stick, melted
● 1/8 teaspoon salt (or pinch of salt)
● 3 cups confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar) (takes usually one box or a box and a half), sift if lumpy
● 2 tablespoon cocoa
● 1/4 cup sweet milk
● 1 teaspoon vanilla
Beat butter, salt, one cup powdered sugar until light and fluffy (mix good). Blend in cocoa. Then add rest of the sugar alternately with milk, a little at a time and add vanilla. Mix until smooth. Add more sugar to thicken or milk to thin frosting if needed for good spreading. Add one cup powdered sugar at a time. Put just what you need to make it spread good. Frosts two (8-inch or 9-inch) layers or a 13- by 9-inch cake sheet pan. I use the leftover frosting between graham crackers for a quick treat.
■ Breakfast English Muffins
Serving size: 4
● 4 toasted English muffins
● 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
● 2 tablespoons peanut butter
● 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
● 1/4 cup honey
Combine cream cheese and peanut butter. Spread onto toasted English muffin halves. Sprinkle on almonds; drizzle honey over the top.
■ GARY’S TIP: Use paint brushes to dust cracks and hard to reach places in telephones, keyboards, stereos and etc.
■ FOOD FOR THOUGHT: A fancy restaurant is one where they serve cold soup on purpose.
