Hello, Good News! If you are looking for a simple and tasty dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will show you how to make a coal miner’s cake, a rich and moist chocolate cake with a cherry filling and a chocolate-nut topping. This cake is easy to make with a few ingredients and a cake mix, and it is perfect for any occasion.
Coal miner’s cake is also known as depression cake, crazy cake, or wacky cake. It originated during the Great Depression, when ingredients like eggs, butter, and milk were scarce and expensive. People had to improvise with what they had, and they came up with this delicious cake that does not require any dairy products or leavening agents. The cherry pie filling adds moisture and flavor to the cake, while the chocolate chips and nuts create a crunchy and decadent topping.
What You Need to Make Coal Miner’s Cake
Ingredients
To make coal miner’s cake, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 package of devil’s food cake mix
- 1 can of cherry pie filling
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 stick of butter or margarine
- 1/4 cup of evaporated milk
- 6 ounces of chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts
Equipment
You will also need the following equipment to make coal miner’s cake:
- A medium bowl
- A wooden spoon or an electric mixer
- A 9×13 inch baking pan
- A saucepan
- A toothpick or a knife
How to Make Coal Miner’s Cake
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
The first step to make coal miner’s cake is to preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, grease the baking pan with some butter or cooking spray. You can also line the pan with parchment paper if you prefer.
Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter and Bake the Cake
The next step is to mix the cake batter. In a medium bowl, combine the cake mix, the cherry pie filling, the eggs, and the vanilla extract. You can use a wooden spoon or an electric mixer to stir the ingredients until well combined. The batter will be thick and chunky because of the cherries.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake the cake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick or a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Step 3: Make the Topping and Pour It Over the Cake
The final step is to make the topping and pour it over the cake. In a saucepan over low heat, combine the sugar, the butter or margarine, and the evaporated milk. Bring the mixture to a boil and boil for one minute, stirring frequently. Then, remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips and the nuts. The chocolate chips will melt and create a smooth and glossy sauce.
Pour the hot sauce over the warm cake, covering it completely. You can use a spatula to spread it evenly if needed. Let the cake cool completely before cutting into pieces and serving. You can also refrigerate the cake for later or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
Nutritional Information and Variations of Coal Miner’s Cake
Nutritional Information
Coal miner’s cake is a delicious dessert, but it is also high in calories, fat, sugar, and carbohydrates. According to [Baker Recipes](^1^), one serving of coal miner’s cake (1/12 of the cake) has about 530 calories, 23 grams of fat (10 grams of saturated fat), 75 grams of carbohydrates (4 grams of fiber and 52 grams of sugar), 6 grams of protein, and 360 milligrams of sodium.
If you are watching your diet or have any health conditions, you may want to limit your intake of coal miner’s cake or modify the recipe to make it healthier. For example, you can use a sugar-free cake mix, a sugar-free cherry pie filling, low-fat butter or margarine, low-fat evaporated milk, and dark chocolate chips. You can also reduce the amount of sugar, butter, chocolate chips, and nuts in the topping, or skip the topping altogether and serve the cake with some whipped cream or yogurt.
Variations
Coal miner’s cake is a versatile dessert that you can customize according to your preferences and availability of ingredients. Here are some possible variations that you can try:
- Use a different flavor of cake mix, such as chocolate, yellow, white, or spice.
- Use a different flavor of pie filling, such as apple, blueberry, peach, or strawberry.
- Add some spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves, to the cake batter or the topping.
- Add some chocolate chips, nuts, coconut, or dried fruits to the cake batter for extra texture and flavor.
- Use a different type of chocolate chips, such as white, milk, or peanut butter.
- Use a different type of nuts, such as almonds, pistachios, or macadamia.
- Drizzle some caramel sauce, peanut butter sauce, or jam over the cake before or after adding the topping.
FAQs About Coal Miner’s Cake
Why is it called coal miner’s cake?
There are different theories about why this cake is called coal miner’s cake. One theory is that it was named after the coal miners who worked in the Appalachian region during the Great Depression. They had limited access to fresh ingredients and had to make do with what they could find in their pantries. Another theory is that it was named after the dark color of the cake and the topping, which resemble coal and dirt. A third theory is that it was named after the hard work and endurance of the coal miners, who needed a hearty and satisfying dessert to keep them going.
Can I make coal miner’s cake without eggs?
Yes, you can make coal miner’s cake without eggs. In fact, the original recipe for depression cake or crazy cake did not use any eggs. The cherry pie filling provides enough moisture and binding power to hold the cake together. However, if you want to use eggs for extra richness and fluffiness, you can do so.
Can I make coal miner’s cake without cherry pie filling?
Yes, you can make coal miner’s cake without cherry pie filling. You can use any other type of pie filling that you like or have on hand. You can also make your own pie filling by cooking some fresh or frozen fruits with some sugar and cornstarch until thickened. Alternatively, you can use some applesauce or mashed bananas instead of pie filling.
Can I make coal miner’s cake without a cake mix?
Yes, you can make coal miner’s cake without a cake mix. You can use your favorite homemade chocolate cake recipe instead of a cake mix. You can also use a simple recipe that only requires flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, oil, vinegar, and water. You can find an example of such a recipe [here](^4^).
Can I make coal miner’s cake in a different pan size?
Yes, you can make coal miner’s cake in a different pan size. However, you may need to adjust the baking time accordingly. For example, if you use an 8×8 inch pan instead of a 9×13 inch pan, you may need to bake the cake for longer because it will be thicker. On the other hand, if you use a 10×15 inch pan instead of a 9×13 inch pan, you may need to bake the cake for shorter because it will be thinner.
Can I make coal miner’s cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can make coal miner’s cake ahead of time. You can bake the cake and make the topping up to a day in advance and store them separately in the refrigerator until ready to assemble and serve. You can also assemble the cake and store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze the cake for up to three months and thaw it at room temperature before serving.
Can I make coal miner’s cake in a microwave?
Yes, you can make coal miner’s cake in a microwave. You can use a microwave-safe bowl or mug to mix and cook the cake batter in the microwave for about two minutes or until done. You can also use another microwave-safe bowl to make the topping in the microwave by heating it for about one minute or until melted and smooth. Then, pour thetopping over the cake and enjoy your coal miner’s cake.
Can I make coal miner’s cake vegan or gluten-free?
Yes, you can make coal miner’s cake vegan or gluten-free. To make it vegan, you can use a vegan cake mix, a vegan butter or margarine, a plant-based milk, and vegan chocolate chips. You can also use a flax egg or an aquafaba egg instead of a regular egg. To make it gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free cake mix, a gluten-free flour blend, or a nut flour. You can also use a gluten-free pie filling or make your own with cornstarch instead of flour.
What can I serve with coal miner’s cake?
Coal miner’s cake is a delicious dessert that can be enjoyed on its own or with some accompaniments. Here are some suggestions of what you can serve with coal miner’s cake:
- Whipped cream or ice cream for extra creaminess and sweetness.
- Fresh fruits or berries for some freshness and tartness.
- Mint leaves or edible flowers for some color and decoration.
- Coffee or tea for some warmth and comfort.
- Milk or water for some hydration and balance.
Conclusion
Coal miner’s cake is a simple and tasty dessert that you can make with a few ingredients and a cake mix. It is rich and moist with a cherry filling and a chocolate-nut topping. It is perfect for any occasion, whether it is a birthday, a holiday, or a potluck. It is also easy to customize and adapt according to your preferences and dietary needs. You can also make it ahead of time and store it for later. Coal miner’s cake is a dessert that everyone will love and enjoy.
We hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you want to learn more about coal miner’s cake or other delicious recipes, please check out our other articles on our website. Thank you for reading and happy baking!