Thursday, January 13, 2011

having her cake and eating it too.


There is nothing especially exciting about this cake, other than the fact that Ava and her best girlfriend Paigey made it together.  Actually, they baked TWO cakes!  And had a blast doing it.  They thoroughly enjoyed the process, especially the frosting and the decorating.  Sprinkles, my friends, rival glitter in the mess making department.  Each girlie picked a color for her batter and then, after baking, swapped a layer.  (Perhaps this is my segue into this cake.)  It really was a good time, a party in the kitchen if you will.  (Thankfully the two year old was napping during most of our cake-baking playdate!)  

I'd like to say the reason behind this post is a fabulous, easy, and tasty white cake recipe.  One that I make from scratch, all the time.  A recipe, I created all by myself, to satisfy my never ending sweet tooth.  But of course it's not.  Other than the self indulgent need to share pictures,  I'm writing this in search of some help from you (my 30 loyal readers =).  Ava and I love to bake (and eat!) cake together but as I've said before, I'm not much of a baker, so I rely heavily on boxed cake mix (except for this one time,) which is fine.  I'm not opposed to short-cuts or store bought items.  Here's the problem.  I'm not a big fan of the ingredient list on my boxed mix. (Specifically, the partially hydrogenated soybean and modified corn starch.*)  Here's where I need the help.  Do any of you have an easy, fool-proof, delicious recipe for white cake that you seem to use over and over?  (Or better yet, a boxed cake mix that has real* ingredients?)  I'd love it if you'd care to share.  Thanks in advance!







(*How do they modify corn starch anyway?  I don't even want to know.  If my grandmother wouldn't recognize it as food, it probably isn't.  I've been trying to eat food based on that thought for the last year.  More on that at a later date.)

11 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness! This looks like the perfect playdate!

    As for cake recipes, I am a big fan of Smitten Kitchen's "best birthday cake" yellow cake- recipe at http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/best-birthday-cake/

    For chocolate cake, Ina Garten's recipe is the best I've found. It has a little bit of coffee in it, but you can't taste it- it just makes everything taste more chocolatey.

    Happy Baking!

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  2. Ok, too cute. Not sure if I can help, but I love Trader Joe's boxed cake mixes. I have not read ALL the ingredients, but I think its worth a try. Good luck!
    besos,lynn

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  3. I have to admit that I use box cake mixes a lot...but I looked in a few if my cookbooks for you. I found one that I think you'll like in my sesame street cookbook ;)
    Stir together 1 1/2 cup flour, 2tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda & 1/4 tsp salt.
    Cream together 1 stick butter and 1 cup sugar. Beat in 2 eggs one at a time.
    With mixer in low add in flour mix alternating with yogurt (1 cup low fat plain) begining and ending with flour.
    Add 1/2 tsp vanilla
    This was for cupcakes, bake at 350 for 15 min...but I'm sure it would work as a cake. I haven't made this recipe....but now I want to ;)

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  4. If you are craving white cake that kind of tastes like a sugar cookie:

    http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/simple-white-cake/Detail.aspx

    This is my go-to. Just remember to beat the heck out of the ingredients on each step.

    It's so so so so good.

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  5. i don't have a go to white cake, but i am trying your chocolate cake recipe (as cupcakes) today!!! they are baking now and smell yummy!

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  6. ...right there with ya on this one (don't have, but need a go-to). Look forward to your "test results" ;).

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  7. Oh my goodness!!! So adorable!!!! I love the pictures!! I do not have a go-to recipe. I wish I did!

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  8. nothing better than a homemade cake with extra sprinkles!

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  9. Hi Stephanie! I am so glad you stopped by today. Thank you for taking the time to comment, what a sweetheart you are! I have added you to my blog roll, I am sorry I had not done that before. Your cake post is simply A-Dorable!! I know those cakes well. Having boys does not hinder my kids one bit from baking and sprinkling sugar on my countertops and in their tummies! Have a wonderful, fabulous weekend!! XO Kelly

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  10. WOW! Those photos are amazing. I wish I had that cake.

    Marcie

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  11. Such lovely colourful cakes! Looks like fun!

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