Always beat cake batter with an electric mixer for at least 2 minutes.
Always grease and flour the cake pan, or spray it with oileven when the recipe doesnt call for it.
For chewier cookies and bars, take them out of the oven just as they begin to look golden and let them cool on or in the pan.
For recipes using gelatin, make sure the gelatin is completely dissolved in hot water before adding any cold water.
When using fresh fruit, dip it in pineapple, orange, or lemon juice so it wont change color.
To see if a cake is done, insert a toothpick into the centerif it comes out clean, its done. If the cake springs back when touched, that also means its done.
The first time you try a recipe, check the cake five minutes before its minimum cooking time endseach oven heats differently.
For best results, use glass or stoneware baking dishes.
Brownies and Bars
White-Chocolate Fudge Bars
1 chocolate fudge cake mix |
2 eggs |
1/3 cup oil cup |
3/4 cup white chocolate chips |
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix together cake mix, eggs, and oil. Stir in white chocolate chips. Mixture will be stiff. Press dough into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan,
Bake 14 to 16 minutes.
Serve warm or at room temperature. Can be topped with favorite frosting, if desired.
Lemon Squares
1 lemon cake mix |
2 eggs |
1/3 cup oil |
powdered sugar |
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl, mix together cake mix, eggs, and oil. Mixture will be stiff. Spread the mixture evenly into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan.
Bake 13 to 15 minutes until slightly golden on top.
Cool, and then sprinkle powdered sugar over the squares.
Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Bars
1 chocolate chip or yellow cake mix |
2 eggs |
1/3 cup vegetable oil |
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter |
1 cup chocolate chips |
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix together cake mix, eggs, and oil. Mix in peanut butter. Stir in chocolate chips. Pat the mixture into a 9 x 13-inch pan.
Bake 14 to 17 minutes, or until golden brown.
Note: Using chunky peanut butter will make your friends and family think you spent all day chopping nuts.
Cheesecake Bars (Grandma Dircks Specialty)
Bottom Layer:
1 yellow cake mix |
1 stick margarine, melted and cooled |
1 egg, beaten |
Top Layer:
1 pound powdered sugar |
2 eggs, beaten |
8 ounces cream cheese |
1 teaspoon vanilla |
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Add cake mix and beaten egg to melted margarine. Spread mixture into bottom of a greased and floured 9 x 13-inch pan.
In a separate bowl, mix together powdered sugar, eggs, softened cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth. Spread mixture over bottom layer.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes.
Chocolate Squares
1 chocolate cake mix |
2 eggs |
1/3 cup oil |
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl, mix together cake mix, eggs and oil. Mixture will be stiff. Spread the mixture evenly into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan.
Bake 13 to 16 minutes, until the brownies reach the desired consistency.
Chewy Brownies
1 chocolate cake mix |
1/2 cup margarine, softened |
3 eggs |
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips |
1/2 cup chopped nuts |
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix together cake mix, margarine, and eggs until the cake mix is completely absorbed. Stir in chips and nuts. Press the stiff dough evenly into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan.
Bake 26 to 30 minutes. When cooled, cut into squares and serve.
Cherry Chip Squares
1 cherry chip cake mix |
2 eggs |
1/3 cup oil |
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl, mix cake mix, eggs, and oil together. Mixture will be stiff. Spread the mixture evenly into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 13 to 17 minutes, or until lightly brown on top. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Chewy Lemon Bars
1 lemon cake mix |
1 egg |
1/2 cup butter, melted |
3-3/4 cups powdered sugar |
2 eggs, beaten |
8 ounces cream cheese, softened |
1 teaspoon vanilla |
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix together cake mix, egg, and butter. Spread into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan.
In a separate bowl, mix together powdered sugar, beaten eggs, softened cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth. Spread mixture over bottom layer.
Bake 30 to 40 minutes, until top layer turns a light golden brown.
Strawberry Squares
1 strawberry cake mix |
2 eggs |
1/3 cup oil |
1-1/2 tablespoons milk |
1 cup powdered sugar |
Preheat oven to 320 degrees.
Mix together cake mix, eggs, and oil until stiff. Spread the dough evenly in a 9 x 13-inch pan.
Bake the squares 14 to 16 minutes.
Mix the milk and powdered sugar. Drizzle the glaze over the squares. Serve warm or at room temperature. Also tasty right out of the oven.
Peanut Butter Brownies
Cake:
1 yellow or white cake mix |
1/3 cup oil |
2 eggs |
2/3 cup chunky peanut butter |
Glaze:
1 /2 tablespoons milk |
1 cup powdered sugar |
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix together cake mix, oil, and eggs. Mixture should be stiff and all the powder should be mixed into the dough. Stir in peanut butter.
Bake 14 to 16 minutes, until golden brown on top.
Mix together powdered sugar and milk. Drizzle powdered-sugar glaze over top while still warm.
Chewy Chocolate Chip Bars
1 yellow or white cake mix |
2 eggs |
1/3 cup oil |
3/4 cup chocolate chips |
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix together cake mix, eggs and oil. Stir the mixture until all the powder is evenly mixed in. Stir in the chips. Spread the mixture evenly in a 9 x 13-inch pan.