Cake Mix and melted Ice cream cake

" Where there is cake, there is hope. And there is always cake. " - Dean Koontz

I wonder if anyone else goes through phases like I do. Some days(weeks) its art - it's all that I see and do. Like a woman possessed, I go about my paints and brushes. The kitchen is practically closed on such days. But then, the interest fizzles out and I hop on to something else. The alternatives oscillate between sewing, cooking, books and photography. Photography has always been a constant. Let's not go there. That's a topic for another day. 

These days, It is mostly baking. Now, the paints and brushes go back to their boxes and out come the pans. The next few days (weeks) are lost in a mad frenzy of reading and trying out different recipes. Its an all-consuming relationship. There are varying degrees of extremes in the weeks that follow - from " I am the most unrecognized culinary talent that the world is missing out on " to " Let's pull down this kitchen and make it a library instead". Then the dust settles and I fill the table with the bare minimum necessities. Lunch is dinner and dinner is masqueraded as breakfast. And I better not hear a protest. This is my personal vicious circle of existence and believe me, I have no control over it.

Between such days, there are few ( read many) days when the laziness is at its peak and I do not want to lift a spoon, or a pan. I want to get out of the kitchen with minimum effort but impressive results.  And today's cake is one such recipe. Something I came across as a one liner - Add melted ice cream and the cake mix and you have a cake. How can I pass by this without giving it a try. Now, let me tell you, If I had seen this in one of my cooking phases, I would have scrolled right by without a thought. No way I am getting a store bought cake mix into this house. Yes, I can be difficult like that. But then, the lucky cake - it caught me when I was at my most vulnerable and here we are. 

Ingredients : 

Cake Mix - 1 box ( I used Betty Crocker) 

Melted Ice cream - 1 Cup ( I used Vanilla flavor) 

Vegetable Oil- 1/2 Cup

Eggs -3 

How I made it : 

1. Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees F. Grease two 9 inch circular pans and keep aside. 

2. Add the melted Ice cream, Vegetable Oil and the 3 eggs to the box mix and beat well by hand for two minutes. Ensure the batter is mixed well. 

3. Divide the batter between the pans and bake for 25-27 minutes. 

4. Cake is done when the stick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean and just a few crumbs. Basically, no wet batter. 

5. Allow it to cool before you remove from the pan. Frost as desired. 

Notes : 

1. Remember, its a lazy afternoon cake. So do not get that Kitchen aid or mixer out. Mix together vigorously with your hands. That is good enough. The cake turned out soft. 

2. As always, oven temperatures vary.  Adjust baking times and stay close during the last few minutes of the baking time.  You do not want to fret about a burnt cake on a lazy afternoon. 

3. I just sprinkled some powdered sugar and threw some raspberries on. You can use any frosting of your choice or melted chocolate. Go play!!!