What's in the Oven?

We had a wonderful and lively discussion today at lunch about ...baking. I have two friends who believe that baking is an art and should not start with a box. Of anything.

From that conversation came two recipes.

Marcie gave us recipe #1 and said that it was not only easy but fabulous. Keep in mind that Marcie would like to own her own bakery some day. I would trust anything that she says. :)

Her comments: Here is the recipe. A couple of notes: you could probably use any kind of nuts. I love pecans, but I think walnuts would be good too, and usually aren't as expensive as pecans. Watch the cake. I didn't have to bake it the entire 35 minutes, but I used a glass pan. I also had to broil the top for about 3 minutes before it got really bubbly and caramelized. But you have to watch it so it doesn't burn. I also added a 1/4 tsp of nutmeg to cake. I think that is it.

Oatmeal Cake with Coconut-Nut Topping

1 c. quick cooking oats
1 1/3 cup flour
1 1/4 cup boiling water
* tsp. salt
* cup butter
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 cup brown sugar
* tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 eggs

Topping:
* cup butter
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup coconut
3 T. milk

Pour boiling water over oatmeal, cool. Preheat oven to 325. Cream butter, sugar and eggs. Sift flour, salt, soda, baking powder, cinnamon and add to creamed mixture. Add oatmeal. Place in a 9 by 13 inch greased cake pan. Bake at 325 for 35-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean.

For Topping: Boil butter, brown sugar and milk in a heavy saucepan for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add nuts and coconut. Spread on baked cake and return to oven under broiler for 1 minute or until bubbly.

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Jennifer shared her best-cake-in-the-world recipe. Not only is she a fabulous IT director, she is a terrific cook.

Her comments: "This cake uses a cake mix to make a crust, over which there is a cream cheese layer. Easy to make."

Gooey Butter Cake III

Ingredients

• 1 (18.5 ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Mix cake mix, melted butter or margarine, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 eggs with a spoon. Pat into a 9 X 13 inch pan.
3. Mix cream cheese, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer. Slowly beat in confectioner's sugar. Pour over cake layer.
4. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool.