Mud Puddle Cake

This is an all-time family favorite.  My mom saw the recipe in the newspaper some time in the 70's and we've been making it ever since.  It is delicious frosted or unfrosted.  And best of all, it is actually better the day after it is made, so it is good for parties when you need to make something ahead of time!  I have shaped this and decorated this cake into dinosaur cakes, Lightning McQueen's race track, Hungry Caterpillar cupcakes and lion cupcakes with Crunch and Munch manes.  It works for ANY occasion.

Mud Puddle Cake

1 13x9 pan or 2 8x8 pans (make one, freeze one!)

Preheat oven to 350

• 3 cups sifted flour (I never sift in real life though)
• 2 cups sugar
• ½ cup cocoa
• 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking soda.
• ¾ cup oil
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla
• 1 Tablespoon vinegar
• 2 cups cold water

Mix dry ingredients in mixing bowl.  Add wet ingredients and blend till smooth.  Bake for 35-40 minutes  (test for doneness.) 

This is a very moist cake that seldom fails.  It goes well with 100 Thousand Dollar frosting.