It’s homecoming weekend at York College, our local Christian college (and our alma mater). We’ve got a house full of guests and we’re lovin’ it!
We celebrated the birthday of one of our guests yesterday – a great excuse to make and eat cake! I made this Lemon Pound Cake recipe, but instead of baking it in a bundt pan, I made it into a sheet cake then frosted it with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Instead of butter, I used coconut oil to make this cake. The coconut oil flavor was a bit overpowering with the lemon juice, but wow, it’s tasty. And, in my opinion, you can never go wrong with cream cheese frosting. ;)
My very favorite cake flavor would have to be Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (with Chocolate Fudge Frosting). Unless we count cheesecake, and then I’d have to say that my favorite kind of cake is cheesecake. I suppose we could count both, but we really shouldn’t eat them both at the same time because goodness, that’s a lot of cake.
Just because I’m curious – and because maybe I can come up with healthy varieties of your favorite cake flavors, my questions for you this weekend are: What is your favorite kind of cake? What kind of frosting would you like on that? With ice cream or without?
Well, everything I make now is gluten, peanut, tree nut and egg free, but if I think my favorite, non-allergy free cake would have to be a homemade German Chocolate Cake. We have a local chain that sells homemade pie, cakes and ice cream, and that’s what I get when we go there!
Oh my goodness yes. German chocolate is my absolute favorite. Although any coconut cake it lovely too :) I have yet to try a gluten-free German chocolate version but it’s on my list for the holidays.
I have a awesome recipe for homemade carrot cake with homemade cream cheese frosting. I would have to say any cake (except chocolate) is my favorite as long as its covered in cream cheese or butter cream frosting. Defiantly have to have cookies and cream ice cream to go with it!
Most definitely Cheese Cake. That is what my husband and I had when he proposed and then we had three layers from the Cheese Cake Factory for our wedding cake and now we have it every year for our anniversary. I make it homemade now because it is so much better that way.
Made-from-scratch carrot cake with raisins and nuts and cream cheese frosting. Hold the ice cream, please.
I’ll second that! My mom makes the best carrot cake in
the world! Otherwise, I’m not a huge cake fan. I’d rather have a
fruit crisp or cobbler.
My favorite kind of cake is red velvet. I was wondering if you help me out with a recipe for a 1/2 sheet? I see one here and was wondering if you have a good recipe. I used to make 1/2 sheets with wheat but now I have been GF for a long time I don’t have recipe for a 1/2 sheet. I have a large gathering coming up in 2 days.
Chocolate flourless – it’s like a giant truffle . . . Mmmmmm . . .
I LOVE this dark chocolate cake recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/dark-chocolate-cake-ii/detail.aspx
I’ve even subbed WW flour and it tastes great!
This one comes in a close 2nd:
http://www.wholegraingourmet.com/recipes/41-cake/25-decadent-chocolate-cake.html
Red velvet- not from a box, but from scratch. I don’t think a healthy version would end up so red, though. Oh, how delicious it can be when made properly!
I ditto the Red Velvet!!!
Red Velvet, hands down! I have a recipe that calls for beets to make the cake red. I never will use red food coloring again.
Red Velvet without chemical dye, please! (maybe beet juice dye?)
Especially with the unhealthy crisco based frosting…..YUM!!!!
I used a recipe with butter and cream cheese. It called for a little brown sugar too. It was really good. I may occasionally make cakes that have not so good stuff in them, but never with crisco.
I love angel food. For my birthday, my gramma used to slice it horizontally and spread lemon or raspberry filling (homemade) between the layers, and then frost it with sticky, gooey seven minute frosting. I can’t imagine that can be made healthy, but if it can, I would be thrilled to test it for you! :) Oh wow. My gramma passed three years ago this week, and this memory is giving me tremendous cravings and goose bumps!
Definitely American Beauty Cake (probably the same as Red Velvet). The frosting is a cooked flour paste that is added to sugar, butter, and Crisco… The only way I’ve been able to make it healthier is by using 1 bottle of food coloring instead of 4. I use 3 bottles of water. As for the ice cream – oh yeah! We only have this cake twice a year.
Amen for the cheesecake, and chocolate cake. So before the whole foods thing started I used to love the box of yellowcake you know, like Betty Crocker or something). With chocolate frosting. Do you know how to make that “yellowcake” flavor taste?? ;)
Yes! Thats so what i loved too!
mmmm yellow cake. that’s my favorite too. i would LOVE to know how to make it taste like the boxed version!
Publix yellow cake with buttercream frosting. The best. They sell just the frosting too, but it seems really piggy to eat just frosting without cake … so I’ve restrained myself from diving into that arena.
mine is angelfood cake my grandma woul;d put a cookie in the center then frost it us cut up gum drops for flowers and string licorish for the stems and petals definetly not healthy
Oh, there are so many yummy possibilities! Red velvet and chocolate mint are two that would be wonderful to have more healthful versions of!
When my brother and I were little, our landlady (who made wedding cakes) used to bring us little layer cakes she had made from the discarded rounded tops of her commercial cakes. She would lay them on a dinner plate, with a couple of the layers and the outside frosted with her delicious white royal icing. It was crisp on the outside, creamy beneath with a hint of lemon and almond. It was such a treat, and so frugal of her not to waste a morsel. Since then, my favorite cake has always been white wedding cake with almond-flavored royal icing…and of course, homemade ice cream.
Homemade carrot cake with raisins,nuts, pineapple and coconut! It’s a party in every bite!
I have seasonal favorites:
Fall – pumpkin/spice cake with cream cheese frosting – http://frugalfamilyfeasts.blogspot.com/2010/10/last-year-i-made-fun-pumpkin-cake-that.html
Winter – Andes Mint Chocolate cake – http://frugalfamilyfeasts.blogspot.com/2009/10/andes-mint-chocolate-cake.html
Spring – Sour Cream Chocolate Cake – http://frugalfamilyfeasts.blogspot.com/2010/03/sour-cream-chocolate-cake.html
Summer – Strawberry shortcake
Those recipes look YUMM – however they’re made from the box :( maybe laura can help us with some from-scratch versions?!
Allrecipes.com … one of my favorites. :o) I don’t think I’ve made a bad thing from this site yet! And it’s so easy to alter & healthy up the recipes if you’re creative.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-spice-cake-i/detail.aspx – You can substitute the canned pumpkin for the real stuff if you wanna make it! :o)
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/mint-chocolate-cake/detail.aspx
Also calls for a box cake, just substitute for a great scratch recipe like this:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/favorite-chocolate-cake/detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/daisy-brand-sour-cream-chocolate-cake/detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/scrumptious-strawberry-shortcake/detail.aspx
Voila! Although, I know sometimes the boxed version is quicker, cheaper & sometimes just as good! :o)
Most of the these recipes I created/adapted/acquired before I moved to a whole
foods diet. I was hoping Laura could help make them healthier. I work
full-time right now so I haven’t had a chance to redo these recipes yet.
white cake with white frosting or chocolate cake with chocolate frosting — I’m a purist that way :) No ice cream either. That just makes for soggy crumbs. I like my ice cream in a bowl directly after my cake.
My current favorite is Bluberry Pound cake. I have made several lately to give away (and some to eat).
Wedding cake!! The flavor really doesn’t matter as long as there aren’t any nuts. I’ve been tempted so many times to go to a bakery & tell them I’m getting married just to I can do a tasting! :o)
I just made this. Pumpkin spice cake with maple buttercream. Perfect fall cake!
http://voogtrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/10/pumpkin-spice-cake.html
Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting! I love nuts and raisins, but not in carrot cake. No pineapple or coconut either – that’s a morning glory muffin(just plain ole carrot cake please). And, it’s easy to convert to a relatively healthy recipe. When shall I be over to sample yours?:)
Ahhhhh! White coconut cake with buttercream frosting, topped with coconut! I’m famous for it~ A close second would be maple spice cake with maple buttercream icing! Love ’em both!
Red Velvet is one of my favorites especially at christmas! Carrot cake comes in a close second.
This is one of my favorite cakes and gets made every Fall. Now I feel the need to make it :) http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Maple-Pumpkin-Torte
My favorite cake is a good old fashioned pound cake with the crunchy top –but I’ve never been successful at finding a recipe for it. No topping necessary. I like just about any type of cake there is though. Cheesecake is in a class all by itself and so far I havent met a cheesecake I couldn’t like. ;)
This time of year, I love spice cake with cream cheese frosting. I don’t have a healthy recipe for it though, I used to just use the boxed version.
In my pre-workou days I loved a chocolate flourless w/ ganache topping!!! Recently made a ginger spice w/ apples n crumb topping hat was upper yummy. Only have ice cream if it’s w/ birthday cake!!! Will admit that I’m a sucker for frosting :)
Homemade oatmeal-raisin cake with praline frosting. So good, I made it for my birthday cake yesterday.
Lol pat. I get teased for making my own birthday cake. :)
My husbands favorite is home made German chocolate. I have to say I don’t especially like cake. I do like Boston cream pie tho. It’s kinda cakey.
My favorite is one I make myself this time of year: Fuji Apple Spice Cake (http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2009/10/fuji_apple_spice_cake_with_cream_cheese_frosting)
I would love to know how to make it a little healthier, because the listing of the nutrition information at the bottom is a little scary. It is sooooo good though.
I’ve been right there with you, Sarah. Trying to find ways to make treats more healthy. But I think I’m starting to think that if it’s going to be a once a year “make in the fall/for Christmas/for my birthday” thing, just go all out!! lol
That’s why I only let myself make it once a year… Well, that and the fact that it’s pretty time consuming because I’m not a very experienced baker. :)
I would try using a natural sweetener (sucanant, maple syrup)
and reducing it to 1 cup total. Then for the butter sub 1/2 c coconut
oil and 1/2 c plain whole milk yogurt. Up the apple sauce to 1 cup,
and use whole wheat pastry flour.
oops that is up the applesauce to 2 cups
And why wouldn’t we count cheesecake? It’s the best CAKE around!
Carrot cake with cream cheese icing or pound cake!
I LOVE chocolate cake… But… I have two cakes that I’d love healthier versions of…
One is simply that funfetti cake with frosting – this is my husband’s FAVORITE cake and I think it’s horrible and disgusting. Wish I could make one he’d like that was at least marginally healthier.
The other would be what’s called a “Pig Pickin Cake” – it’s made with a cake mix and a bunch of fruit and is SO good. I’d happily pass along the recipe if you thought you could make it healthier. ;)
Boston Cream Pie (cake?) and Homemade Angelfood cake with whipped cream/chocolate pudding combo layered in between, and liberally doused with thin sliced almonds. Best cakes ever!
ANYTHING Ice cream cake…but chocolate+peanut butter is the best.
Chocolate, Gingerbread, Hummingbird and Pineapple Upside Down cakes came to my mind first. After reading the comments I would have to add Red Velvet, Angel Food and Pound Cake. I think I really like cake. :D
Spice cake with cream cheese frosting! No ice cream, thank you very much!
Dairy Free German Chocolate cake would be my dream :-)
I don’t think I can choose! I love a chunky homemade carrot cake with all the trimmings, smothered in a lemon cream cheese frosting. German chocolate cake, pumpkin spice cake with maple cream cheese frosting, vanilla cake with lemon curd, custard and whipped cream frosting and chocolate tres leches cake with whipped cream on top are my favorites, I think. But I’m such a sweets lover that I could eat most any cake and love it!
Wow! I thought I knew my answer until I started reading what others have written. They all sound so good. I tried to make a different flavor each year for my boys birthday but last year we took the oldest GF and he is stuck on a Chocolate Flour less torte. I love a good white cake with a fresh strawberry glaze between the layers and then iced with a light almost whipped cream icing. I also love a good spice cake for the fall. Used to make apple spice cake and banana cake that were good, with Cream Cheese icing of course.
We try not to eat a lot of sweets so I normally would make them when there was company around so that we could have a bite with out the left overs (or I would eat it all up).
Made from scratch yellow layers with 7 minute frosting and frozen grated coconut. I could half of one right now I do believe. The recipe I have is over 100 years old and sooooo wonderful It was my mothers and her sister- in- law gave it to her and it was her mothers. So actually I guess it is close to 150 years old. It is also good to make it strawberry using fresh berries on the top.
I have been following your blog for awhile, and really enjoy it! My husband and I are both Oklahoma Christian alumni! There were a number of York students that transferred to OC.
Very fun!!
Perfect carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.
Black Forest Cake with whipped cream as frosting. My absolute fave!
I’m not a big frosting fan (too sweet), but cream cheese frosting is an exception. In all, I’d rather have pie, and reserve the ice cream for that, than eat most cakes.
Red. Velvet with icing! I’ve made it w/o coloring before and it only slightly changed the taste/texture.
All time favorite….banana cake with cream cheese frosting…..second is rhubarb cake with cinnamon /sugar crumble topping…yummy!
I love yellow/white cake with vanilla frosting. So far, none of the recipes that I’ve tried can beat Duncan Hines yellow cake, but I keep looking.
I personally adore rich chocolate cake with mint ice cream OR rich carrot cake with thick cream cheese frosting. Oh, I’m hungry now! :^) However, I need a cake that is free of wheat, peanut, tree nut, legume, milk, eggs, and banana. Anyone have a recipe? I can make a 1x compromise cake (Betty Crocker GF mix) for one son but haven’t been able to figure anything my other son can have.
My family loves Jello poke cake, it’s always so moist & delicious.
I would love if you could come up with a healthy alternative to the red jello mix used in this!
Thanks!!
:)
Homemade Carrot Cake with Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting!(Hold the nuts)I noticed this is a common favorite among us readers. I love my recipe, but I’m currently experimenting to make a healthier version. Yum! I may have to bake this week.
Wish I was there for Homecoming. One of these days. Happy hostessing! :)
YES! It would be great to see you at Homecoming sometime! (or anytime!!)
German Chocolate with the coconut icing is our household favorite… I bet the coconut oil would be great in that!
This time of year, our thoughts always turn to my husband’s favorite — pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting. He chose it for his groom’s cake 30 years ago, and I’ve been making it for his November birthday every year since! In spite of the fact that the recipe came from one of his old girlfriends!
Chocolate cake with mint frosting and a scoop of vanilla icecream. Yum!!! I agree with you though that it would have to tie pretty evenly with cheesecake though :D
(Hey…this is random….but can you tell me what the name is of what you use for your comments? I like the “reply” layout and would like to try this on my own relatively new blog.)
It’s a WordPress plugin called “WordPress Thread Comment” – not sure that it would work for Blogspot, but maybe there’s something similar that would work?
Aw :/ Prolly won’t work for me then. Thanks though :D I’ll have to keep my eyes open.
Since it is fall, my favorite cake of this season is Pumpkin spice cake! It’s so yummy and easy so I shall share it with everyone!
1 box spice cake mix (I know duncan hines makes it)
1 large can PUMPKIN PIE MIX (Libby’s brown label)
2 eggs
1/2 cup water
Mix all ingredients with mixer
Pour into UNgreased 9×13 pan
Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until it tests done.
Ohh, and don’t forget the cool whip and put a spoonful on that nice slice of warm pumpkin cake :)
Enjoy!
I LOVE this cake also….I like to frost it with cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake – http://rebekahsfamilyfoodandfun.blogspot.com/2008/05/chocolate-truffle-cheesecake.html
and these Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes http://rebekahsfamilyfoodandfun.blogspot.com/2011/07/chocolate-raspberry-cupcakes.html are a couple of my absolute favorites!
My favorite cake is a milkless, eggless, butterless chocolate cake. It’s very moist and “chocolaty” and easy to make (a throw-it-all-together, stir-and-bake cake). Pour the batter in a 9×13 pan, and for “icing”, sprinkle the batter with 1 cup of chocolate chips, candy sprinkles (decorate to the season), then sprinkle sugar across the top and bake it. The sugar gives it a nice glaze, and the chips and sprinkles are plenty of sweetness for the top. This is about the only cake I make anymore. We love it!
Will you share the recipe?
Cinnamon Apple Cake and I have NO idea what kind of frosting would be good on it, as it is soooo delicious without any on it! Cream cheese is in the one that I make :)