Southern Style Cooking: Snack Cake Recipes for Anytime Cravings

Saturday, March 26, 2022

Snack Cake Recipes for Anytime Cravings

When the weather is all over the place and I have no energy to spare, my go-to treat to ease my relentless sweet tooth is a quick snack cake. The term has become popular across the web over the past couple of years—and not because the pandemic made us lazier bakers. We just decided cake should be enjoyed no matter the day or occasion. And let me tell you, I am here for it.

There are those glamorous cakes that you plan for and spend hours (maybe even days) preparing. We really do love those. And then there are the need-to-put-in-your-mouth-right-this-instant cakes: the sheet pan confections, one-bowl recipes, lofty loaves, dump cakes, and cake mix creations. My love for these simple treats for anytime cravings arose when I worked on Yossy Arefi's cookbook Snacking Cakes as a food stylist. If you are looking for real hard-hitting-right-in-the-feels-indulgent moments, this is where I recommend you start. I still grab this book for snacking inspiration at least once a week.

Yes, you can always make a mug cake, but they're just never as good as a fluffy, properly baked cake. If your cravings aren't knocking down the door and you have a bit more time, try a poke cake or take things one step further with a luscious fudgy caramel frosting or rich ganache to top it off.

What's my current obsession? Banana bread everything, especially a cross between this Amish cinnamon bread and banana bread.