Basic Cake Batter With 40 Variations Recipes

CAKE MIXES FROM SCRATCH AND VARIATIONS

Steps:

• For a Yellow Cake: Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in shortening until fine crumbs are formed. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Beat at low speed for 1 minute, then high for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl frequently.
• Pour batter into greased and floured 9x13 inch pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes.
• Variation for a White Cake: Prepare as for the basic cake except use 3 egg whites for the 2 whole eggs. Whites may be beaten separately and added for a lighter cake.
• Variation for a Chocolate Cake: Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the basic cake mix prior to adding the milk.
• Variation for a Spice Cake: Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice to the basic cake mix.
• Variation for a Pineapple Upside Down Cake: Melt 1/2 cup butter in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Add 2/3 cup brown sugar, stirring into the butter. Arrange pineapple slices in the pan. Top with the basic (yellow cake) mix recipe. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, cool 5 minutes, and invert to serve.

BASIC CAKE BATTER (ADAPTED)

Steps:

• Beat butter, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl with mixer on high 3 minutes or until fluffy.
• Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each.
• Sift flour with baking soda to mix well.
• On low speed, beat in flour in 3 additions, alternately with milk, in 2 additions (beginning & ending with flour), just until blended, scraping sides of bowl as needed.
• Baking at 350 degrees works well. Should take approximately 25 to 35 minutes. Bake 'til toothpick in center comes out clean. Be sure to check, as time is strictly approximate. And after it begins to brown, will continue cooking in middle without over-browning.
• Elora's Notes: Because original recipe calls for regular milk, might need to add 1 or 2 tablespoons milk. O.k. if batter is quite thick. We do NOT add extra milk, and it turns out PERFECT. Emmett used this recipe to make an upside down Peach cake in a 10-inch iron skillet with it and it was LUSCIOUS! But it ran ALL OVER the oven and we had AT LEAST 1/4 cup batter left in the bowl! So, we aren't sure HOW MUCH it makes. But I figure AT LEAST three 9-in. pans, or a 10 X 14 inches sheet pan, or more than likely three 9-in. pans PLUS one 8-in. pan. I figure you make the three 9-in. layers & the one 8-in. layer. Though it MIGHT NOT be more than enough for three 9-inch pans. If it is, cut the 8-in. layer in half & freeze for unexpected company or when you want a cake & don't want to take time to make one. Can frost it either before freezing or after thawing.

BASIC CAKE MIX BATTER

Steps:

• Beat butter, sugar, baking powder, and vanilla in a large bowl with mixer on high 3 minutes or until fluffy.
• Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each. On low speed, beat in flour in 3 additions alternately with milk in 2 additions, just until blended, scraping sides of bowl as needed.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes.