Plain Jane Cake

I hope that name doesn't offend anyone named "Jane", but it's one of those recipes that can't be called anything but that. I think it says it all; "Plain Jane" ... nothing fancy, nothing but good ingredients and basic flavors. However, if you know anything about "Plain Jane", you also know that those are the girls to watch out for. Which is why I must tell you that by adding a few simple extras to this cake you can make it incredible! Just as Jane would be "Wild Jane" if she let her hair down and bought a hot pair of heels ... Plain Jane Cake can be wild by tossing on some "drunken berries" or you can keep it "plain"with just some sweetened strawberries with a bit of cream or a scoop of ice cream. You choose ...

Plain Jane Cake Serves 10 - 12

2 c. granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 c. whole milk
1/4 c. butter, softened
2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 t. vanilla extract

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar and eggs well. Slowly beat in 1 1/2 c. flour.

2. Scald milk; melt butter in the milk; add slowly to the creamed mixture.

3. Sift together baking powder, salt and remaining 1/2 c. flour. Mix into creamed mixture. Add vanilla extract.

4. Grease and flour a 10" tube pan, pour creamed mixture into pan. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 30 minutes. Check after 30; might have to bake another 5. Test with toothpick inserted near middle of tube cake.


Drunken Berries:

1 pint of berries (I use blackberries, raspberries and blueberry combo)
1/3 c. Italian red wine (use whatever you prefer)
4 - 5 T. sugar

Combine in bowl, refrigerate until cake is done baking, cooling and you are ready to serve. Serve with a dallop of fresh whipped cream

** You can also make drunken berries using Wild Berry Schnapps; same thing, about 1/3 c. to a pint of berries ***