Hello all,

I've just started experimenting baking cakes in my bread machine with great results. I have a Breadman Ultimate (this isn't a plug for the machine, I don't know how it ranks with other machines) which has a batter bread cycle. I was actually very disappointed with the coffee cake recipe that came with the machine. But, since the batter seemed to be the same consistency of cake mix batter I decided to try baking a cake mix in it. For the first cake mix I baked I used all the ingredients called for on the package (a chocolate cake) and the cake was good but very moist. For the second cake I cut the amount of oil in half (for the mix I used half the oil was 1/4 cup) and it came out perfect.

Tips:

1. After the cake has mixed for a while, open the lid (while it's still mixing) and scrape down any dry mix that may be stuck to the sides. You should only need to do this once.
2. When the cake is done, remove the pan from the machine and slip a rubber spatula down the sides of the pan to loosen the cake - this works well because it's flexible enough to push around the curve of the pan and around the bottom of the cake a little. I skipped this step the second cake and a bottom corner of the cake stuck to the pan - could have been from less oil in the mix too. I'll also spray the pan with cooking spray the next time.

Since the cake mix worked so well I assume that just about any cake recipe should be as good. The two layer mix made a neat little loaf that rose to about 6-inches high. These would also be fun shapes for decorating. One thought is it would make a wonderful ice cream cake sliced horizontally in thirds with ice cream layered between and then frosted with whipped topping, whipped cream or frosting. Pound cakes and gingerbread should also turn out very good - and cornbread! It's so handy to just put all the ingredients in the pan and let it go - and as they say 'clean-up is a breeze'. Great for kids - no hot ovens or mixers to worry about.

I'm not certain if this will work with a machine that doesn't have a batter bread/cake cycle. I saw a newsgroup post that someone had baked a cake mix in a regular bread machine using the rapid cycle and light crust setting with good results. If anyone has tried that, please post.

If you have any tips or recipes to share we'd love to see them.

Happy Baking,

Betsy