One-Pan Cake

Fifty From the Trail, p. 95

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups sugar

½ cup cocoa

2 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

2/3 cup vegetable oil

2 Tbsp. cider vinegar

1 Tbsp. vanilla

2 cups cold coffee or water

1/3 cup sugar

½ tsp. cinnamon

Stir together flour, 1 ½ cups sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt in an ungreased 12x8-inch foil baking pan.

Make 3 wells in the mixture; pour oil in one, vinegar in one and vanilla in one.

See? No mixing bowl required.

Some wells are more equal than others.

Pour in coffee and stir all with a fork until well mixed. Spread into an even layer.

Combine 1/3 cup sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle half over batter.

I didn't take a picture of the final product, but this step is more fun than the baking part anyway.

Bake in a 350F oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar over hot cake.

Cool 15 or 20 minutes before cutting. Seal tightly in plastic wrap before serving.  

My Rating: 3/5 "I don't know what it was about this cake - maybe the depth - but I couldn't get the middle done without burning the edges. But the parts that didn't turn out gooshy (i.e. not the middle) were quite tasty! The coffee and cocoa melded together well and the other flavorings complemented them. If you have the skills to get this to be cake in the middle, I recommend taking a stab at it. The flavor's worth it."