Are you craving a ridiculously easy yet incredibly delicious dessert? Look no further! This Crack Cake recipe, inspired by the beloved Pioneer Woman, is the perfect answer. It's so simple, even beginner bakers will master it, and the results? A rich, fudgy, and intensely satisfying treat that's guaranteed to disappear quickly. This recipe is perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth quickly, making it an ideal addition to your collection of easy recipes and quick dinner ideas.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions:
Get started: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. This preparation ensures your cake won't stick and will release beautifully.
Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for a tender cake; take your time here! An electric mixer will make this much easier.
Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; don't overmix.
Stir in chocolate chips and nuts (optional): Gently fold in the chocolate chips and nuts (if using).
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.
Cool and serve: Let the cake cool completely in the pan before cutting and serving.
Tips for the Best Crack Cake:
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to a tough cake. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Use room temperature ingredients: Room temperature butter and eggs will cream together more easily, resulting in a lighter and fluffier cake.
- Let the cake cool completely: This allows the cake to set properly and makes it easier to cut into neat slices.
- Get creative with mix-ins: Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate chips, nuts, or even dried fruit.
Variations:
- Peanut Butter Crack Cake: Add 1 cup of creamy peanut butter to the batter along with the chocolate chips.
- Snickerdoodle Crack Cake: Replace the chocolate chips with cinnamon sugar.
- White Chocolate Raspberry Crack Cake: Use white chocolate chips and fold in 1 cup of fresh or frozen raspberries.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Around 350-400
- Fat: Around 20g
- Protein: Around 4g
- Carbohydrates: Around 45g
This Crack Cake recipe is a fantastic example of homemade cooking at its finest – delicious, easy, and satisfying. It's a perfect dessert for any occasion, and a surefire way to impress your friends and family with minimal effort. This recipe offers delicious dishes and is among the best recipes for anyone who wants to make a quick and easy treat. It perfectly fits the description of healthy meals if you use healthier substitutions and control the portion sizes. Enjoy!