The Ugly Cake is a delightfully messy dessert that combines a mishmash of flavors and textures for a scrumptious yet wonderfully imperfect treat.
So you’re on a quest for the not-so-glamorous but oh-so-yummy Ugly Cake? Perfect! This delightfully homely dessert may not win beauty contests, but it will steal the show in flavor. We’ve got the full scoop, every wild and scrumptious detail, to guide you through crafting this humble masterpiece. Get ready for some sweet imperfection!
Embrace the Ugly Cake
This delightfully messy cake is a celebration of imperfection. With lopsided layers and a frosting that isn’t shy about going off-script, the Ugly Cake is all about taste and character. No judgments here—just oodles of charm and yumminess!
- Cuisine: Comfort Food
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Cooking Method: Baking
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- ¼ cup heavy cream (for frosting)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
- A pinch of salt (for frosting)
- Various candies or sprinkles (optional, for garnishing)
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add eggs, milk, oil, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water until batter is well mixed (don’t worry, it’ll be thin).
- Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
- For frosting, beat powdered sugar and butter in a medium bowl. Add heavy cream, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat on high until fluffy.
- Spoiler alert: The cake assembly is an exercise in glorious chaos. Place one layer on a serving plate. Slather on a generous scoop of frosting. Place the other layer on top and apply remaining frosting with reckless abandon.
Suggestions
- Feeling nutty? Toss in a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter.
- For a fruity twist, swap out the vanilla frosting for creamy raspberry or lemon.
- Garnish with colorful candies, mismatched sprinkles, or even some crushed cookies. The uglier, the better!
- Pro tip: Use an offset spatula for a truly haphazard frosting application. Channel your inner abstract artist!
