Snack Attack Cake Mix

If you ever get the craving for a snack like cake, or you have unexpected guests, this versatile recipe can be whipped up and ready for the oven before your oven is even up to temp. 30 minutes or so in the oven and 20-30 minutes for cooling and you have your craving satisfied in less than 1 hour. I like it because it's easy for my girls to make, and there are several variations. An no clean up! Just your fork that you stir the cake with since you mix everything together in the baking pan. The mix makes 3 cakes with leftover mix that can be made into a crumb topping, or you can make another batch and add that to it. I keep it in a jar with the variations attached. I got this recipe from the Women's Day magazine years ago.

I am definitely making the chocolate cake version just as soon as I get my second load of green beans into the pressure canner!

Mix in the Pan Snack Cake Mix

Basic Mix
3 C flour
2 C sugar
1 1/2 TB baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 C solid vegetable shortening

Put all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until it resembles cornmeal. Store at room temp. Makes 6-7 Cups. Leftover mix can be used as a crumb topping or mixed with nuts to sprinkle on cake.

Directions: Heat oven to 375. Grease 8 or 9 in. square baking pan. Stir mix to remove clumps. Put dry ingredients in baking pan and stir with fork until blended, then add wet ingredients and stir until blended. Bake 25-30 min. Cool and cut into 9 squares.

Everyday Cake
Serve plain or topped with fruit, whipped cream or frosting

2 C basic mix
1/2 C milk
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
Follow above directions

Chocolate Cake

Dust with powdered sugar or top with 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips when cake comes from oven, return to oven 2 minutes until chips melt, then spread over cake.
2 C basic mix
½ C unsweetened cocoa posder
1.4 C semi sweet chocolate chips
¾ C ice water
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
Follow directions above

Orange Cake

For glaze, stir 2 TB orange juice into 1 C powdered sugar until smooth, spread over warm cake. You can probably substitute lemon zest and lemon juice for the orange for a lemon cake.
2 C basic mix
1 egg, beaten
1 TB grated orange peel stirred into ¼ C orange juice
¼ C water
Follow direction above.

Gingerbread

Good with whipped topping
2 C basic mix
1 tsp cinnamon
11/4 tsp ginger
¼ cloves
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp baking soda
2 eggs, beaten
¼ C milk
¼ C molasses
Follow directions above