Cake ideas needed

[Octoberbride03]

I have a party on Sun. afternoon and its a pot-luck so I volunteered to bring a cake. I'd rather bake it than buy it since I'll have time to bake. I do have a couple of cook books but not sure if anything really tickles me enough to do in them. So I need ideas or recipes please.

FYI I am a pretty basic baker. I can bake and make it look decent, but no fancy skills in there. So something easy and basic, and if it can dress up a cake mix even better. I do have a cake mix book, but not feeling anything there.

Thanks

 

[Glynis]

I have a party on Sun. afternoon and its a pot-luck so I volunteered to bring a cake. I'd rather bake it than buy it since I'll have time to bake. I do have a couple of cook books but not sure if anything really tickles me enough to do in them. So I need ideas or recipes please.

FYI I am a pretty basic baker. I can bake and make it look decent, but no fancy skills in there. So something easy and basic, and if it can dress up a cake mix even better. I do have a cake mix book, but not feeling anything there.

Thanks

check out www.thepioneerwoman.com. Her cooking site has 2 great cake mix recipes, one for today and one for yesterday. I've made both of the cakes there, and they are really good and easy!

 

[HeatherC]

How about a chocolate cake with pudding in between the layers and whippedcream on top?

Or strawberry shortcake. I just make a yellow cake, make some fresh whipped cream and layer that with the berries on the middle layer and "frost" it with the whipped cream and berries. Very pretty and yummy!

 

[laurie31]

I made a peppermint red velvet cake for Christmas and got such rave reviews that I mad another one for New Year's.

It was SO easy! (don't tell - lol)

You will need: a red velvet cake mix, a white cake mix, peppermint flavoring, and 3 cans of cream cheese frosting.

Make the cakes according to the directions on the box, except add 1/8 teaspoon peppermint flavoring to the white cake.

Spoon the mixes into your cake pans, alternating the red and white and then swirl them together.

You can make homemade cream cheese frosting, or if you're in a hurry, use the canned. Just take the frosting from the cans and add 1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring. I also added some confectioners' sugar to mine, as I don't like the texture of canned frosting (way too thin). I usually make homemade, but I didn't have time.

If you want to be fancy, crush some candy canes and sprinkle them on top.

Mine looked and tasted amazing and it was so easy!

 

[dani0622]

I made a coca cola cake a few months ago and it was easy and delicous. Search on Cooking Light's website, that's the recipe I used.

 

[WL Fan]

There's a very good chocolate cake and frosting recipe on the side of the Hershey's cocoa box. It's very, very good and easy to make.

 

[arielrebornxoxo]

http://www.coolest-birthday-cakes.com/birthday-cake-decorating.html

 

[Octoberbride03]

I made a peppermint red velvet cake for Christmas and got such rave reviews that I mad another one for New Year's.

It was SO easy! (don't tell - lol)

You will need: a red velvet cake mix, a white cake mix, peppermint flavoring, and 3 cans of cream cheese frosting.

Make the cakes according to the directions on the box, except add 1/8 teaspoon peppermint flavoring to the white cake.

Spoon the mixes into your cake pans, alternating the red and white and then swirl them together.

You can make homemade cream cheese frosting, or if you're in a hurry, use the canned. Just take the frosting from the cans and add 1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring. I also added some confectioners' sugar to mine, as I don't like the texture of canned frosting (way too thin). I usually make homemade, but I didn't have time.

If you want to be fancy, crush some candy canes and sprinkle them on top.

Mine looked and tasted amazing and it was so easy!

This sounds awesome. Wonder if I can find peppermint flavoring now that its after Christmas

 

[lovesmurfs]

This sounds awesome. Wonder if I can find peppermint flavoring now that its after Christmas

You can always find peppermint with the spices -- near the vanilla and other extracts (lemon, orange, coconut, etc.).

How about a cake roll? They're not nearly as difficult as they look and they always present well.

 

[Octoberbride03]

You can always find peppermint with the spices -- near the vanilla and other extracts (lemon, orange, coconut, etc.).

How about a cake roll? They're not nearly as difficult as they look and they always present well.

Never done a cake roll before. Wouldn't even know where to start for it.

 

[Octoberbride03]

http://www.coolest-birthday-cakes.com/birthday-cake-decorating.html

Site looks great. But this is way beyond my skills in the kitchen

 

[lovesmurfs]

Never done a cake roll before. Wouldn't even know where to start for it.

VERY simple. Here's a chocolate one with a video.

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/chocolate-cake-roll-114589.aspx

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I say go with the CUPCAKES.... Out with the cake in with the CUPS!!

You can do a normal cake mix, even two, and mix and match and create all different frostings. You can do the peppermint, chocolate/vanilla, vanilla/vanilla, chocolate chips in some of the batter, nuts if no allergies, etc. Use up all the left-over littles in the house. Crush up the candy canes, etc.

Whatever you make I am sure it will be just great though!!!!

 

[Octoberbride03]

VERY simple. Here's a chocolate one with a video.

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/chocolate-cake-roll-114589.aspx

OK, so I watched the video. Nice to know its supposed to crack

But honestly I'd need time to practice this first before attempting it for a party. Not time for that. I just have time to bake once. Does look nice though.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I say go with the CUPCAKES.... Out with the cake in with the CUPS!!

You can do a normal cake mix, even two, and mix and match and create all different frostings. You can do the peppermint, chocolate/vanilla, vanilla/vanilla, chocolate chips in some of the batter, nuts if no allergies, etc. Use up all the left-over littles in the house. Crush up the candy canes, etc.

Whatever you make I am sure it will be just great though!!!!

Cupcakes is an idea too. Take that red velvet recipe above and do that. Would have to buy a cupcake pan or 2 though. Aye carumba

Decisions...............Decisions...................

 

[luv2sew]

I would suggest that if you decide to spice up a cake mix from a box that you chose the (hope I can say it here) Duncan Hines brand mix...I have had my share of dry crappy homemade cakes and do only box mix cakes and cupcakes now...you always know they will work out and you always have the ingredients in the house. I have found the DH brand to be the best, my family and friends particularly like the dark dutch fudge and the french vanilla flavors but the others are good also. Make sure you follow the direction on the back and beat it well...you will see the batter getting lighter in color and thicker, that is how I know it's beat well enough.

I have many times made a cake from start to totally finished, frosted and everything, in a little over an hour....you can't beat that for fast and easy and they always get rave reviews.

 

[amez]

http://www.coolest-birthday-cakes.com/birthday-cake-decorating.html

oooh I'm going to have to look through this website. My dh just texted me and said that for cub scouts they are having a cake walk and we are suppose to get creative and have themed cakes.

When I make a cake from a box I use recipes from the Cake Doctor to doctor them up. I personally like homemade better, but "doctoring" up the box mix does a pretty good job.

 

[mum4jenn]

Chocolate cake with a layer of cherry topping and a layer of cool whip.

Actually almost any flavor cake would do and any flavor of fruit topping would work.

 

[kidzmom3]

in my opinion, red velvet is not a cake that is universally liked. For parties I usually go with a yellow or chocolate cake with fancy decorations.

 

[kacaju]

check out www.thepioneerwoman.com. Her cooking site has 2 great cake mix recipes, one for today and one for yesterday. I've made both of the cakes there, and they are really good and easy!

Haha,, when I read this post, my first thought was the *pig cake* she had. It looks so good and easy to make!!