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Crack Cake Recipe

You may have heard of a “crack” cake, but did you know what it was or how it’s made?

A crack cake is an old American specialty that dates back to the 19th century.

It’s similar in texture to a pound cake, which means that it has a light crumbly consistency.

But unlike a pound cake, a crack cake doesn’t contain eggs — instead, it uses egg whites only.

These cakes were often topped with whipped cream or buttercream frosting before serving.

The name comes from the fact that these cakes would break into pieces if someone tried eating them without first cracking them open.

The cracks could be caused by pressure when baking the cake, or because they’re baked at too high a temperature.

There’s also speculation that the cracks were created by people who didn’t want their secret recipes revealed, so they’d hide the cracked cakes inside larger ones.

Regardless of why the cracks appeared on top of the cake, it’s still popular today as a nostalgic treat.

This article shows you exactly how to create your own homemade version of a classic crack cake recipe, using just three basic ingredients.

You’ll find out everything you need to know about creating one yourself, including tips for ensuring that the crack cake tastes great and stays moist.

We’ve even included information about where you can buy all of the necessary equipment needed to make a crack cake from scratch.

If you don’t already have all of the items listed below, we recommend purchasing them online.

They’re widely available and won’t cost you much money.

Once you get started, you might discover that you actually prefer making crack cakes over traditional pound cakes.

Either way, you’ll learn how to whip up a tasty dessert that everyone will enjoy.

Crack Cake Recipe

What Ingredients Do You Need To Make A Crack Cake?

A simple recipe calls for flour, sugar, and butter, but depending on whether you like your crack cake sweetened or not, you can use either white or brown sugar.

For those who aren’t familiar with the difference between white and dark sugars, here’s a quick breakdown: White sugar contains more moisture than darker varieties because it tends to dissolve faster.

Darker types absorb less liquid, which makes them harder to work with.

As such, they tend to give off a caramelized taste when heated.

Some people find this undesirable, while others simply prefer the darker variety.

Whichever you choose, you should always read the ingredient list carefully to understand what each item is used for.

If you’re looking for a healthier option, try replacing the butter with applesauce, coconut oil, or even mashed bananas.

This is another reason why many people enjoy making crack cakes rather than regular pound cakes.

Not only is it much lighter in weight, but it’s also packed full of healthy nutrients.

How Long Does It Take To Make A Crack Cake?

It takes around 35 minutes to cook the batter, plus 10 additional minutes to cool it completely before slicing it and topping it with the icing.

Depending on the size of your oven, you should allow anywhere from 25 minutes to 45 minutes total.

So, once you start cooking, plan ahead to ensure that you finish your cake within the allotted time frame.

Crack Cake Recipe

What Is The Best Way To Decorate A Crack Cake?

There are several ways to garnish a crack cake.

One way is to spread it with buttercream frosting after it’s cooled down.

Another option is to sprinkle powdered sugar over the top.

And finally, you can use fresh fruit or jam to create colorful decorations.

Of course, you can also serve the cake plain, as well.

No matter how you decide to dress it up, you can be sure that it looks beautiful.

What Type Of Pan Do You Need To Bake A Crack Cake?

Most crack cakes are baked in two 8-inch round pans, although you can use square or rectangular pans if you want to.

If you know that you’ll be making a large batch of cake, then consider buying two pans at once so that you can save space later.

Otherwise, you can purchase individual pans individually as needed.

Crack Cake Recipe

How Do You Ensure That The Crack Cake Is Moist And Fluffy?

To achieve the perfect crack cake, you must pay attention to several details during the process.

First, you’ll need to line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

While it’s important to grease the sides of the pan, you shouldn’t grease the entire surface.

Instead, only grease the sides until the center of the pan has been covered.

Then, place a few drops of water onto the parchment paper, and cover it evenly across the bottom of the pan.

Afterward, lightly dust the pan with flour.

Finally, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once you begin mixing together the dry ingredients, you should avoid adding too much flour at once.

Start with half of the amount called for in the recipe, and gradually increase the quantity as you go along.

When doing so, remember to reduce the heat slightly (if possible) so that your mixture remains smooth and consistent.

Also, keep in mind that the longer the dough sits before being added to the oven, the softer it gets.

By reducing the amount you mix together at the beginning, you can ensure that the final product is perfectly uniform.

Another thing to watch out for is excessive stirring.

Although it sounds counterintuitive, stirring too frequently can cause the mixture to become lumpy.

On the flip side, if you stir slowly enough, you can minimize lumps altogether.

In general terms, you should stir every 5 minutes or so throughout the entirety of the recipe.

What Other Ingredients Can You Use To Add Flavor To A Crack Cake?

Although you should focus on using the right kind of flour for the job, you can always experiment with different flavors.

Many people use vanilla extract, almond extract, lemon juice, orange zest, or cinnamon.

However, since these ingredients are typically extracted from whole fruits, you can easily substitute extracts made from dried fruit or spices.

Or, you can combine a couple of different kinds of extracts.

Whatever you decide to do, you’ll end up with a unique flavor that no one else has ever tasted before.

What Are Some Tips For Making A Crack Cake From Scratch?

One tip you should follow closely is to prepare the ingredients prior to starting the actual cooking process.

For instance, if you need to chop nuts or prepare any sort of citrus peel, do it now.

Another good idea is to measure all of the ingredients beforehand.

Doing so ensures that you don’t accidentally leave something out of the equation and ruin the outcome.

Are There Any Special Techniques That Make A Crack Cake Easier To Make?

Many cooks believe that it helps to add a little bit of cornstarch to the batter before combining the wet and dry ingredients.

Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent, which prevents the mixture from becoming overly runny.

What are the most common mistakes people make when trying to make a crack cake?

Because cracking a crack cake isn’t necessarily difficult, you can end up overcooking it — especially if you forget to check its progress.

Therefore, it’s important to monitor the cake constantly.

Don’t let it sit unattended for too long, or else it could burn.

Be careful not to put anything directly on top of the cake itself, either.

Any hot liquids should be placed far away from the cake itself.

Finally, if you’re having trouble getting the crust to form properly, you can try chilling the finished cake overnight.

Doing so allows you to remove it from the pan before attempting to slice it.

Just wrap the pan tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 24 hours.

Afterward, you can unwrap the pan and gently turn the cake upside down so that the cake falls out more easily.

Crack Cake Recipe

Crack Cake

This crack cake is a perfectly baked yellow cake topped with a butter glaze. Everyone will be impressed by this super gooey and delicious cake!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Crack Cake
Servings: 8
Calories: 749kcal

Equipment

  • Oven

Ingredients

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 3.4 ounce vanilla pudding instant mix
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cups water
  • 3/4 cups vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup white wine

BUTTER GLAZE

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup white wine

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 10-inch bundt pan.
  • Combine the cake mix, eggs, cinnamon, 1/4 cup white sugar, brown sugar, pudding powder, oil, water, and 1/2 cup white wine in a large mixing bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined, but do not overmix.
  • Fill the prepared bundt pan halfway with the batter and bake for 45 minutes, or until a butter knife inserted into the cake comes out clean.
  • Prepare the glaze as soon as the cake comes out of the oven. In a saucepan, combine the butter, 1 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup white wine and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the sugar dissolves.
  • Poke holes all over the cake with a fork, then pour the butter mixture over it.
  • Turn the cake onto a large serving plate after loosening the sides and center with a knife. Keep warm!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 749kcal | Carbohydrates: 103g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 585mg | Potassium: 87mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 75g | Vitamin A: 475IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 166mg | Iron: 2mg
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