Day 12: No Season is Complete without Chocolate

Do you ever just want a dessert that you can throw together in about 5 minutes without having to exert much brain power or even energy?  Most chocolate cakes don't fit that, but I have a recipe for you today that only requires three basic skills:  an ability to measure ingredients, an ability to pour, and an ability to stir.  

If you have kids in your life, this would be fantastic to make with them.  In fact, you could probably just delegate the whole process to them, it's that simple.  And, if you'd like to have a teaching element to it, go ahead and research why the ingredients in this cake make it work; you might be surprised at the science lesson you could get. 

Wacky Cake

Printable Version

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon vinegar

5 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cup cold water

Mix dry ingredients together in an 8x8-inch baking pan, or a 2 1/2-quart baking dish.  

Make 3 wells in the mix.

Pour vanilla in one well, vinegar in another, and vegetable oil in the third.  

Pour cold water over all and mix until well combined.  Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes, or until it comes back springy when you touch it.  Allow it to cool and then sprinkle with powdered sugar.  (Or you could spread chocolate frosting on top).  

source: southernfood.about.com