Recipe: Shirley’s crazy cake with cream cheese frosting

Shirley’s crazy cake with cream cheese frostingTotal time: 40 minutesServings: 9 to 12Note: Adapted from “BakeWise” by Shirley Corriher. This recipe works best with a higher-protein all-purpose flour, such as King Arthur brand.1 1/2 cups (6.4 ounces) unbleached flour1 cup sugar 1/3 cup natural cocoa powder (not Dutch process)1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1/2 cup canola oil1 cup cold water or weak coffee1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In an 8-inch-square baking dish, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Smooth out the powder. Then, using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke two small holes and one large hole in the dry ingredients. Put the vinegar in one small hole and the vanilla in the other. Pour the oil into the large hole. (It will overflow, not a problem.)2. Pour the cold water or coffee all over the top. Then use the wooden spoon and stir well to blend all of the ingredients together until smooth.3. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes.4. When the cake is completely cool, top with your favorite icing or sprinkle on powdered sugar. It is also nice with berries and whipped cream or ice cream. (Or you can skip any topping and instead add three-fourths cup of chocolate chips as you stir the mixture. There are vegan and nondairy chocolate chips available at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.)Simple cream cheese frosting1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese (not whipped) 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted2 to 4 tablespoons heavy cream or half-and-half1 teaspoon pure vanilla extractOn a low speed of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until soft. Beat in 2 tablespoons of the cream and then the vanilla. If the frosting is too thick, add more cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it is the right consistency for spreading.Wait until the cake is completely cool before frosting and then store it in the refrigerator.Each of 12 servings, with cream cheese frosting: 308 calories; 3 grams protein; 36 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram fiber; 18 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 26 mg. cholesterol; 23 grams sugar; 221 mg. sodium.