Busy Day Cake

Tonight we're attending a friend's birthday party.  I am making dessert.  I have a three month old that doesn't like nap without being held.  This is quite a conundrum when responsible for that thing I mentioned in sentence two.  However, my friend Lani to the rescue!  She has shared her great recipe for just my situation.

Well, the proof is in the pudding cake.  See image below from this morning. I doubled the recipe and baked in an angel food cake pan for a little shwing.

Busy Day Cake

Prep: 25 min.   Bake: 30 min.   Oven: 350 F

Cool: 30 min.   Makes: 8 servings

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

2/3 cup milk

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

3 cups assorted fresh berries

whipped cream (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease an 8 x 1 1/2-inch round cake pan; set the pan aside.

2. In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, and baking powder. Add milk, butter, egg, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Spread into the prepared pan.

3. Bake about 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack about 30 minutes. Serve warm with berries and, if desired, whipped cream.

(Busy-Day Cake with Broiled Coconut Topping:)

Prepare as above, except omit berries and whipped cream. While cake is baking, mix 1/4 cup packed brown sugar and 2 tablespoons softened butter. Stir in 1 tablespoon milk. Stir in 1/2 cup coconut and, if desired, 1/4 cup chopped nuts. Spread over warm cake. Broil 4 inches from heat 2 to 3 minutes or until golden. Cool on wire rack 30 minutes. Serve warm.