Simple Brown Sugar Cake

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY!

Ahem. I'm feelin' sassy today so I'll share one of my food pet peeves with you. I know I'm weird and frequently self righteous, but just hear me out on this one. Stop adding "guilt-free" or "you won't even know it's healthy!" or "surprise ingredient!" as modifiers to recipes. Just stop.

True that, mug, true that.

You shouldn't feel guilty about eating. That's just not a good mentality to have. And I don't appreciate recipes trying to trick me into "eating healthy" or assuming that I won't be able to tell the difference between a normal brownie and one with prunes in it. That's insulting. We are capable of making our own decisions about our own bodies...we're not two year olds who need to be slipped veggies. Did you know that if you type the word "guilt" into the search bar of foodgawker, you'll get 368 hits? Think about that. 

Desserts made with butter and sugar and eggs are not "sinful" or "indulgent". Dessert is dessert is dessert. Take it for what it is and enjoy it in moderation. There is nothing secret about this cake. I will tell you up front that there is butter and shortening in it. I never use shortening. But hey, you gotta live a little. And let me tell you, this cake is absolutely fantastic. In my opinion, best thing I've made in a while. And I didn't feel guilty eating it at all. 

Brown Sugar Cake

adapted slightly from Chocolate and Carrots

 Just so you know, this makes a lot of cake. So don't freak out.

• 1/2 pound butter
• 1/2 cup crisco
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 5 eggs
• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350°.

Cream the butter and crisco together.

Add the sugar and beat until creamy.

Add the eggs and beat.

Sift the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture and add milk and vanilla.

Bake in 2 rectangular or square pans for an hour. I used an 8x8 and a 9x13.

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 1/2 powdered sugar, sifted

Melt the butter over the stove and add the brown sugar.

Boil on low heat for 2 minutes.

Add the milk and stir until boiling.

Remove from heat and cover slightly.

Add the powdered sugar and stir.

Pour and spread quickly over the cakes.