Specialcompanycake Recipes

THE PERFECT CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl and mix until combined.
• In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
• With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. With mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
• Pour the batter into two 8-inch round prepared pans and bake for 30-40 minutes at 350°F, until a cake tester or toothpick comes out mostly clean (not wet).
• Cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY CAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the chips and water; stir until chips are melted. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add melted chip mixture, buttermilk and vanilla; beat well. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to the creamed mixture. , In a small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the creamed mixture., Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, combine the sugar, milk and butter in a saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute; remove from the heat. Stir in chips and vanilla until smooth; cool. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake.

SPECIAL PANCAKES (BATTER CAKES)

Steps:

• Using a serrated knife, trim the crusts off the bread & then cut the bread into 1/2 inch cubes.
• In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, flour, sugar and baking powder.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk & eggs, then stir in the melted butter. Add to dry ingredients, stirring to blend.
• Let mixture stand for 5 minutes.
• Stir mixture well, breaking up some of the cubes.
• Heat large non-stick griddle or skillet over medium heat (I use 300-350° on my old electric griddle).
• Lightly brush the griddle with vegetable oil (I use a paper towel folded several times to spread the oil evenly onto the griddle.) Non-stick cooking spray can be substituted but I have found we prefer to use the light film of oil because it really adds to the outer color & texture of the pancake.
• Pour a scant 1/4 cup batter onto the griddle. Adjust the heat to medium-low and cook until the bottoms are lightly browned.
• With a large spatula, carefully flip the pancakes over to brown the other side. Repeat til all the batter is used up. Serve with syrups or jams of your choice.

COMPANY CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spray an 8x8 pan with cooking spray.
• Beat eggs, sugar, oil and milk until mixed.
• Combine dry ingredients; add to egg mixture.
• Mix well.
• Stir in vanilla.
• Pour into prepared pan.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a pick comes out clean.
• Cool.
• In heavy saucepan, cook and stir caramels and water until smooth.
• Add pecans; cool slightly.
• Cut cake into squares, spoon caramel sauce over cake squares.

EASY SURPRISE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 2 8-inch cake pans.
• Place the butter and sugar into a mixing bowl, and mash together with a wooden spoon until the mixture is creamy and thoroughly combined. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, and pour into the butter mixture. Stir until combined.
• Sift the flour and baking powder together in a bowl, and lightly stir into the butter mixture. Pour half the batter into each prepared cake pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a cake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to finish cooling on wire racks.