# I want to make a cake...need help **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 3, 2011, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-make-a-cake-need-help/584162 "2011-06-03T03:09:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-make-a-cake-need-help/584162/1 "2011-06-03T03:09:36Z")
I haven’t had junk food in ages. I’m not on a diet (though I should be). We’re just trying to save money so we’re not eating out or wasting money on junk food. But, I have a wicked sweet tooth that diet coke and prunes aren’t helping. So, I want to make a cake, using only what I have on hand. I have: Cake flour Sugar Powdered sugar Cocoa powder Diet Coke Oil Various instant pudding and jello flavors Diet coke Various spices and baking things (like baking soda, baking powder, butter, etc). I might have canned pumpkin puree but I’m not sure. Raisins Prunes About 2 tbsp of Nutella Holy crap, I just realized that I have plain egg beaters too. That should solve my egg problem, right? So, I realize my problem is not as bad as I thought, assuming egg beaters will work. Can anyone help me? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-make-a-cake-need-help/584162/2 "2011-06-03T03:31:09Z")
I found this [recipe](http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Scottleys-Basic-Yellow-Cake/Detail.aspx) on [Allrecipes.com](http://Allrecipes.com). I compared your ingredients quickly and you should do all right. It’s just a yellow cake so what I would do is save the nutella to put over the top. Oh, and if it were me, I’d throw a box of instant vanilla or banana cream pie pudding mix in and leave out a little flour but that’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-make-a-cake-need-help/584162/3 "2011-06-03T03:44:21Z")
I have no milk. The closest substitute that I have is fat free half and half. Any idea if it’s compatible? Any idea if my boyfriend would kill me if he has to drink black coffee tomorrow? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Euryphaessa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Euryphaessa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euryphaessa)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-make-a-cake-need-help/584162/4 "2011-06-03T03:49:10Z")
I had no milk a couple of weeks ago, but I wanted cake. I used [this recipe](http://www.chooseveg.com/vegan-chocolate-cake.asp) (warning, video autoplays), which sounds like it would be weird but it came out great. Really cakey, I wouldn’t have guessed there were no eggs or milk in it. ETA: You didn’t mention having vinegar, but I am hoping you just didn’t consider it as a possible cake ingredient. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-make-a-cake-need-help/584162/5 "2011-06-03T03:50:50Z")
Feh, just use water. I only ever have skim and let’s be honest, there ain’t much more to skim milk then there is to water. ---
**Author:** ![Catfood\_Purrito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Catfood\_Purrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catfood_Purrito)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-make-a-cake-need-help/584162/6 "2011-06-03T04:11:08Z")
If you do have canned pumpkin, you could make this pumpkin bar recipe. It’s always extremely popular whenever I make it (I made it in a layer cake form for a friend’s wedding rehearsal dinner, and her dad skipped the real food in favor of more cake!). I usually put a cream cheese frosting on it, but I’m sure it would be good without too, maybe dusted with powdered sugar. 2 c flour 2 c sugar 1 c vegetable oil 1 c chopped nuts (you could substitute raisins) 2 tsp baking powder 2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 2 tsp cinnamon 4 eggs (or the eggbeaters equivalent) 2 c canned pumpkin Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour pan (the original recipe called for a jelly roll pan, but I’ve used two 9-inch round pans, or you could halve it and use one small pan). I’ve lost the original recipe along with whatever mixing instructions there were, but when I make it, I just dump the ingredients in a bowl, mix, pour, and bake 25 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean).