Easy Cake Recipes – Introduction

One problem facing the modern home cook is finding recipes that are quick and easy to make and at the same time taste and smell delicious.  The solution is to use easy cake recipes that are simple and quick, leaving you time to enjoy your life outside of the kitchen and still have that delicious cake!

I really enjoy baking, but I’m also really busy.  Sound familiar?  So when I’m looking for an easy cake recipe, these are the things I keep in mind:

The preparation time

Believe it or not, a great cake takes 20 minutes (or less!) to prepare.  I check the preparation time listed with the recipe, and if it’s too long, it’s not for me.  What I’ve also learned the hard way is that just because the person who wrote the recipe can do it in 20 minutes, that doesn’t necessarily mean I can.  So I always read the recipe right to the end so that you’re not surprised by calls for a 3 hour refrigeration time or one important ingredient that is not in your kitchen, or some special skill or technique that I don’t know and haven’t time to master.

 Are the directions easy?

When I pick up a recipe, if the directions look like an essay then I move on.  The layout of the directions should be itemized in steps, and the terminology should be clear. 

The mixing method

I love to bake but absolutely loathe the washing up especially at the end when I realize I have used every pot and pan in my kitchen.  Easy cake recipes should allow me to place all the ingredients into one bowl or a saucepan, mix or stir them all together, and then cook.  Here are some of the mixing methods that I have used for my easy cake recipes.

                One bowl method – Scrumptious chocolate cakes are undeniably everyone’s favorite but this method is not limited to chocolate cakes.  I like to combine all the ingredients in just one bowl and use an electric mixer and at the end feel accomplished I have whipped up that cake.  A variation to this method is to use a blender or food processor to mix the ingredients together.

                Packet mixes – Who can honestly say they can tell a difference between eating a cake made from packet mix or fresh ingredients?  I have made many cakes using packet mixes and with success.  People even asked me for the recipes and I would say “Duncan Hines Deluxe Moist Carrot Cake mix”.  They thought I was joking!  Using packet mixes, half of the preparation is done and it is simple to supplement different basic packet mixes, adding your own touch by simply adding your own filling and decoration.

                Saucepan method – You can mix an amazing variety of cakes in a saucepan, without any bowls or mess.  The cakes have moist textures and any fruit ingredients are plump and succulent.  And there’s a bonus – lots less washing up!

                Spoon method – All you need is a bowl and a wooden spoon to create a stirring success with any cake.  Some of my most popular creations have used this method.

So, who said baking a cake had to be a time consuming task?  With easy cake recipes, you can have it all – bake a cake, eat it and spend time doing other things you enjoy doing.