Baking a Cake From Scratch

Baking a cake from scratch is not difficult.

I have several recipe books and use from several that I have had over 20 years.

To start you want your pans prepared. Grease and flour the pans. Usually I like to make a 2 layer cake that is made with 2 9" round pans.

Let me use a recipe I really like. My husband enjoys chocolate cake but some family members aren't big on chocolate so here is a banana cake recipe.

Baking a cake from scratch can be just as easy as a mix. You just want to make sure you have all your ingredients before you start. Take inventory and read the ingredients. Read your recipe through because once in awhile I will notice that they ask for something that isn't on the ingredients list. Then you have to substitute or make a quick run to the store.

Our banana cake recipe starts with creaming the shortening and sugar together. It calls for 3/4 cup shortening and 1 and 1/2 cups sugar. Shortening should be soft (you can use butter or margarine, a stick of margarine is 1/2 cup so you would use 1 and 1/2 sticks) and mix the sugar with it on low speed with an electric hand mixer.

As we continue baking a cake from scratch we will add 1 cup (about 3 bananas) of mashed bananas to the shortening mix, then add 1/2 cup milk, 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla, Mix these all together with your electric mixer on medium speed until everything is mixed and creamy.

I will then just add the 2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of baking powder plus 1/4 teaspoon of salt. I add one on top of the other and then just mix it all in at one time. Start the electric mixer on slow and gradually get it to high as it mixes.

When you have a smooth mix you are ready to pour it into the prepared pans. Pour some into each pan and get them where they are almost equal. Now I will take and just give each pan two hard taps on the counter to remove air bubbles. Just grab the top with both hands for this. At this point they are ready to bake.

Bake the cake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes a put a knife in the center. If the knife comes out clean the cake should be done. I don't like to over bake a cake as it dries it out.

Now that you know how easy baking a cake from scratch is you can add a nice butter cream frosting and have a delicious cake that you can decorate.

Ten Ways to Make a Chocolate Cake With a Boxed Mix

We make cakes from scratch. We also use a boxed mix as our base and then add to it when making a cake.

I'd like to share several ideas for using a boxed mix as your base:

1. Make the cake according to package directions but add in either chocolate chips or mini M&M's. Use between one and two cups of chips or morsels. Mix in at the end and then bake as directed.

2. Make one white cake and one chocolate cake. Make one cake a swirl cake. Pour the white cake batter into the baking dish. Now create several lines of chocolate batter. Use a butter knife and swirl in the white cake mix. When done, cook the remaining chocolate cake and you've now got one swirl cake and one chocolate cake.

3. We happen to like mayonnaise in our house. Start with a box of chocolate cake mix. Add in one cup of mayonnaise, one cup of water and three eggs. Mix it together and then bake at 350 degree for about 30 minutes.

4. Start with your box of chocolate cake mix. Add in two eggs, one box of instant chocolate pudding and 1 ¾ cup milk. We use non fat milk. If you use 2% or whole milk, your cake will be a bit creamier. If you want to stir in chocolate chips, add them at the end. Bake about 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

5. Instead of the liquid called for on the box, use chocolate milk. It adds to the chocolate flavor of the cake.

6. Add frozen fruit to your box mix. These have to be lightly mixed in at the end. Frozen raspberries are wonderful in chocolate cake. You'll have to cook the cake a bit longer than the package directions on this one. Test it with a toothpick in the middle.

7. Make a layer cake and use marshmallow cream in the center. Kids love this gooey center.

8. If you enjoy the taste of coffee, add in coffee flavored liqueur. Add in about ½ cup. This should replace some of the liquid called for on the box.

9. We really like Heath bars. Break up Heath bars and add them to your cake mix. You end up with a toffee taste in your chocolate cake.

10. Do you like Black Forest Cake? Use one box of cake mix, ¼ cup oil, 2 eggs and ½ cup water. Mix it all together and pour into pan. Then pour one, 21 ounce can of cherry pie filling over the top and bake about 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

These are ten ideas to use a cake mix that can often be bought for around a dollar. Try experimenting with other ingredients you already have in the house. These are all fun ways to spice up an ordinary chocolate cake mix.