Vanilla Skillet Cake Fudge Frosting

Simple and delicious, this Vanilla Skillet Cake with Fudge Frosting is perfect for surprise guests, or as an uncomplicated dessert for your usual gang!

The recipe for this cake, kicks up a vanilla box cake into a delicious skillet cake, you’ll make again and again and with the recent flour shortage people have asked me for an updated box mix idea,

but let’s get something straight,

make homemade fudge frosting!!!

it tastes so much better than store-bought.

This fudge frosting will be the hit of this cake, whether it’s for every day celebrating, birthdays a fun you’re doing great cake, or simply make one to bring to someone you’re thinking of. No one in their right mind would turn down CAKE! right?!?

Cakes date to ancient times and were quite different from what we eat today. They were more like a sweet bread made with honey. The precursors of modern cakes as we know them were first baked in Europe in the mid-17th century. Skillet cakes are an evolution of those, one can almost envision the early American pioneers traveling with their multipurpose skillets and making do with what they had to make a sweet treat. Is that how it came about? Who knows? What is certain is the ease of making a skillet cake, and the flavors of this one will knock your socks off.

Fudge Frosting is the star of this cake, however, if you aren’t a chocolate fan, I have plenty of other icing recipes, such as this versatile Oreo Frosting, Strawberry Frostings, Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting, or Lemon Frosting. 

Before we walk through this, a couple of notes:

•         This recipe is flexible, if you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, you can easily bake your cake in a Bundt pan, a 13×9 pan, or two 8” pans. You’ll just want to adjust baking times accordingly. 
•         You don’t want to store your cake in the cast iron pan, as the food could interact with it, causing it to hold on to flavors. Simply cut your cake and either place some plastic wrap on the cut area of cake or use slices of bread like this.
•         This cake is mixed right in the pan, so no need for extra bowls! Your dishwashing hands will thank you.

Let’s Get started…

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

In a 12′ cast iron skillet, pour oil in and swirl the pan to coat on the bottom and sides of the skillet, making sure to cover all areas.

Add in the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, and vanilla, and mix everything with a fork until combined and smooth.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

You’ll want to allow your cake to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. You have the option of flipping your cake out or icing it directly in the pan. This cake can also be served warm or you can cool it completely.

While your cake is cooling to the desired temperature, make the frosting.

Melt the butter in the microwave and add in the chocolate and stir until chocolate is melted. You can microwave it again if needed for a few seconds if necessary, 5 seconds at a time and stir well, the heat will melt the chocolate as your stir, do not wait until the chocolate is melted on its own or it will seize up. Alternatively grab a small saucepan, or double boiler, whichever method you’re comfortable with. Melt the butter on a medium-low heat, then add the chocolate chips to it and stir constantly to avoid scorching.  

In the bowl of a mixer beat the butter/chocolate mix with powdered sugar, salt, and heavy cream. Then add in vanilla, mixing until combined and silky.

Spread the frosting over the top of the cake using a spatula, taking care not to press too hard. Top it with some sprinkles and celebrate, you’ve just made yourself one delicious cake!

A few options:
Can I use a microwave for the entire chocolate melting process?

Yes, but do so in small increments at 30% power (defrost) or you’ll burn the chocolate, as a microwave heats quicker and is much hotter. You’ll want to stop it every 15-20 seconds to stir.

What are my options for egg replacement? I haven’t personally tried them, but I hear great results form these options.

To replace eggs with kitchen items you might have on hand, I recommend:

•         Vinegar & baking soda. Replace 1 egg with: 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon vinegar.
•         Unsweetened applesauce. Replace 1 egg with: 1/4 cup applesauce.
•         Plain or vanilla soy yogurt. Replace 1 egg with: 1/4 cup yogurt.

There’s also a powdered egg replacement product you can use.

Can I replace the Heavy Whipping Cream?

If dairy is an issue, Silk makes a heavy whipping cream from soy. It’s a good equivalent