Great-Grandmother Pauline’s Lazy Daisy Cake is one of my favorite cakes for many reasons: it is a cinch to make when my energy level is sapped, like it is during this current heatwave, and it is absolutely delicious. Also, I think the rhyming title is fun to say out loud. Preparing this cake requires little more than basic stirring with a wooden spoon and bowl. Last week, after my daughter went down for her nap, I assembled the simple batter in less than six minutes and popped it in the oven. When the baking was complete I immediately added the topping, put it under the broiler for a short 30 seconds, and the cake was done. The best part was that the cake had taken so little time to prepare, when it was finished baking, I had time to take a nap, too.—
Lazy Daisy Cake
adapted from Great-Grandmother Pauline’s recipe
1/2 c. whole milk
1 T. butter
1 t. vanilla
2 eggs
1 c. sugar
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
Topping (also known as ‘German Frosting’)
5 T. dark brown sugar
3 T. butter
3 T. cream
3/4 c. walnuts, chopped
1/2 c. sweetened shredded coconut (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 375. Butter and flour 9-inch round cake pan.
2. Heat milk, butter and vanilla in a sauce pan until butter is melted. Remove from heat.
3. In large, heatproof bowl, add combine sugar, flour, eggs, baking soda and salt.
4. Slowly add milk mixture to flour mixture, stirring constantly so as to temper the eggs.
5. Mix batter until fully combined with no lumps.
6. Pour into baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.
7. In a separate bowl combine butter, cream and brown sugar until fully combined. Add walnuts and mix until nuts are fully coated.
8. When cake is finished baking immediately put on walnut topping and spread it around until it completely covers the cake.
9. Switch the oven to broil and move the oven rack to the top.
10. Place cake on top rack and broil for 30 seconds or until nuts get dark.
11. Cool and serve.
Naptime Notes:
Naptime Recipe Props: The vanilla flavor of this cake is not overly sweet and contrasts nicely with the crunchy walnut topping. I like to serve it with ice-cream, but it would be good with fruit on the side. This recipe could also possibly make a nice layer cake, you could make two of the cakes and use the walnut frosting between the layers and on top.
Naptime Stopwatch: Making the batter took 6 minutes, the baking took 22, and the topping took 30 seconds. So, from start to finish, this cake takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. You can’t beat that time frame.
Naptime Reviews: This sweet vanilla cake is always a hit with my family or crowds. You will hardly ever find a person who can’t resist eating their entire serving.
