I don’t know about other parts of the world, but the cake mixes in the States have been getting smaller and smaller – which is so wrong. I’d rather pay a bit more and have a nice, fat layer cake.. We have no control over what the stupid cake mix companies do, but luckily there’s a few things you can add to be sure your layer cakes come out bigger. (You may decide it’s just easier to make a cake from scratch – and that works too!)
BREAKING DEVELOPMENT – – I broke my ankle last night… Not a bad break, luckily, but still inconvenient. And – get this – I’m having a party today because one of my twin sons and his family will be visiting from the Philadelphia area.
I’ve been cooking, and cleaning, for the last few days. Yesterday my other son and I put out all the outdoor furniture… and dragged out all the cushions and lanterns etc. I was so pleased when I finished washing the final table and chairs… But cruel fate intervened… As I stepped down from our deck (to dump out the bucket of water) my foot caught on a huge, thick stepping stone… Over I went, like Jill of Jack & Jill fame, bucket, gloves and sponges flying all over.
And I heard my ankle break. I crawled to where I thought I’d left my phone…. then remembered I’d brought it to the porch… so I crawled some more. In any event, my brother-in-law and a neighbor got in me the car… but not until I directed them to find my comb, get my make-up kit and bring me clean clothes. Being men… they started getting impatient – but I was married for almost 40 years… so I’m used to it!
Luckily, the cake (which is for my granddaughter’s birthday) was baked before I fell – so I got up early this morning so I could frost it and post the recipe. ; o )
UPDATE — My Granddaughter was very happy with her birthday cake. And the party was a great success as well !!
Directions for a ‘Bigger and Better’ Layer Cake with Mini Chocolate Chips and English Toffee Bits
Oven at 350F Bake for 30 – 35 minutes Two greased 9” round cake pans
Dry Ingredients for ‘Add-In’ Batter
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar or granulated sugar ++ I used brown
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 pinches salt
In a medium bowl mix together flour, sugar baking powder and salt with a fork
Liquid Ingredients for ‘Add-In’ Batter
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1 egg
Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients. Beat with mixer for about 30 seconds until well blended. Set bowl aside.
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup English Toffee Bits ++ I used ‘Heath’ Brand
- 1 Tbs. all purpose flour
Mix 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, 1/2 cup English Toffee Bits and 1 Tbs. flour in a small bowl. Set aside.
- 1 yellow cake mix, prepared according to package directions ++ I used Duncan Hines Butter Yellow – ‘Classic’
Once cake mix is prepared, pour in ‘Add-On’ batter. Beat with mixer for about 30 seconds until well blended. Gently mix in mini chocolate chips, English Toffee Pieces and flour mixture.
Divide batter equally between two greased 9” round cake pans. Bake at 350F for 30 – 35 minutes – or until toothpick or sharp knife inserted in center comes out clean. ++ Because of the ‘Add-In’ batter, your layers may take 3 – 5 minutes more time than usual.
Cool cakes on wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove cake from pans and cool completely before frosting.
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Due to my broken ankle – and the fact that I have no crutches because the ER ran out of ‘short people crutches’, I frosted my cake with purchased frosting BUT soon I’ll post my recipe for a really delicious homemade chocolate frosting ‘to die for’. Enjoy!!
P.S. My son who lives locally is arriving in a few minutes with some crutches – HURRAH!! And I am not cancelling the party …however, I won’t be the one bringing out trays of food.. not for several weeks.
Add-In Batter – Ready to Go
myyellowfarmhouse.com 