Building an "emergency" Birthday cake...

[catnhatnh]

Got a call from Mom for a cake needed tomorrow for my brother's birthday...normally no problem-but my car is down and I'm not really set up to bake cakes....pantry supplies, equipment, etc. Normally I would have just run to the store and bought one. But I couldn't and so had to (produce one).

Hmmm, well I did find a large brownie mix and a rather large (11") spring-form pan. It's a start but I know that that package in that pan will look like a tortilla...Up to Recipezaar and found salvation-an add on mix for boxed cake mixes when you need more bulk...

3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup oil
1 egg

add to mix and add 10 minutes to baking time. Hint: add a small amount of vanilla (1 tsp) or a compatible flavoring agent (in this case 1 1/2 Tbs cocoa).

So I added as above, plus the extra egg recommended on the box for "cake-like" brownies (total 4 eggs) and let her fly. It came out nicely risen and at least a decent single layer cake...

Now a touch of frosting...peanut butter I think. But NO...low on peanut butter AND out of butter...."To the Bat-cabinet Robin!" Hmm...bout a 1/2 cup peanut butter and just a tad more nutella...good start. OOH look! Cream cheese, a whole 8 oz pack! Get out the mixer-ya'know a tsp of almond extract couldn't hurt...there whip it good. Now start feeding in the confectioners sugar-whoops too far, How bout a tbs of water there Butch? Hmmm this stuff tastes GOOOOD. Okay, spring-form back around the cooled cake. Line sides with wax paper and latch spring-form sides.Ice the top of that baby up. Foil over top and into the fridge it goes...Done.

Grab a cold beer and of course the frosting mixers and relax. I can't say how this bad boy TASTES, but it looks pretty sexy and it's tough to screw up brownie mix....in the words of another fool "Mission Accomplished".

[eleny]

1. Good on you - sis!

Sounds sort of like a peanut butter cup with a tang from the cream cheese. It's begging for a cup of coffee on the side. I can taste it already. A melt in your mouth birthday cake.

The net sure can be a life saver. Have a great day tomorrow and for sure, report back!

[catnhatnh]

2. Thanks!

I should mention I'm a boy kitty. But yeah, that mix extender saved me. I'll let you know if it was edible.

[eleny]

3. Thanks for the correction...

I'm sure I'll never again forget to check a profile! :blush:

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Yankee ingenuity

At its best!

[Lucinda]

5. Sounds great to me! You're one resourceful cook!

Well...except for the peanut butter. ;) I'm allergic.
But ya cant go wrong with brownie mix and nutella and cream cheese.

[catnhatnh]

6. Update W/photos...

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As you can see, after I posted yesterday I found a can of honey roasted peanuts for garnish...
Pretty good results. Little brother liked that the center was cake-like and the edge became more "crunchy" and brownie-ish. The icing was a smash-my Aunt had never even HEARD of Nutella and was planning to buy some on the way home...she bakes a lot more than me and showed a child-like glee in finding a new ingredient. If I know her,the grandkids will enjoy the next few weeks.

[eleny]

7. It even looks great

I'm glad it all worked out. Brownie cake must have a lovely rich texture.