Easy Bake Oven Chocolate Cake and Frosting Mixes

We've been having lots of fun preparing Easy Bake Oven mixes for Christmas gifts. We tried a popular cake mix recipe which calls for adding water to the prepared mix. While that will yield an edible cake, I found that we got better results when we prepared the mix with milk instead. These mixes look nice for gift-giving when sealed in 4-ounce (stage 2) baby food jars topped with a 5-inch fabric circle secured with ribbon, twine, or raffia.

You can see the difference in the way the cakes turn out based on whether you choose to use milk or water when preparing the mix. The cakes made with water are on the left and the cakes made with milk are on the right. You can also see a difference in the frosting on each cake. The cakes on the left have frosting prepared without vanilla. The ones on the right tasted much better since we made that frosting with the vanilla.

Chocolate Cake Mix1 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 ½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening
In a medium bowl, combine sugar, cocoa, flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir with a wire whisk until blended. With a pastry blender, cut in shortening until evenly distributed. Spoon about 1/3 cup of the mixture into each of 11 small containers or zipper bags and seal tightly. Label with date and contents. Store in a cool, dry place. Use within 12 weeks. Yield: 10 packets Chocolate Cake Mix. Individual mixes fit nicely in 4 ounce (stage 2) baby food jars.
Chocolate Cake from mix
1 packet Chocolate Cake Mix
4 teaspoons milk (or water)
Preheat Easy Bake Oven 15 minutes (regular oven 350F). In a small bowl, combine cake mix and milk (or water). Stir with a fork or spoon until well blended and smooth. Pour mixture into greased and floured cake pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool in pan on a rack for 5 minutes. Invert onto a small plate and remove pan. Yield: 2 cakes.

Chocolate Frosting Mix
2 cups powdered sugar
3 Tablespoons instant nonfat milk powder
½ cup cocoa
6 Tablespoons shortening
In a small bowl combine powdered sugar, milk powder and cocoa. With a pastry blender, cut in shortening until evenly distributed. Spoon about 1/3 cup of the mixture into each of 9 small containers or zipper bags and seal tightly. Label with date and contents. Store in a cool, dry place. Use within 12 weeks. Yield: 8 packets. Each packet frosts a 2 layer cake. Individual mixes fit nicely in 4 ounce (stage 2) baby food jars. (This mix can be prepared with the addition of 1 teaspoon powdered vanilla, which would eliminate the need for added vanilla when mixing up the frosting.)
Chocolate Frosting from mix
1 packet Chocolate Frosting Mix
2/3 teaspoons water
1/8 teaspoon vanilla, optional
In a small bowl, combine frosting mix and water. Stir well with a spoon until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla, if desired. Frosts a 2 layer cake.