Nana's Funny Cake Recipe

Nana's funny cake on a plate with vanilla ice cream
Photo Credit
Becky Luigart-Stayner
Yield
Makes 2 pies.
Course
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Nana’s Funny Cake is the perfect dessert for a family gathering or weekend party. The piecrust adds a unique twist to a traditional cake recipe. This cake has a delicious chocolate-y layer on the bottom and a crunchy chocolate layer on top.

This recipe comes courtesy of Mary Lou Knauss of Duncannon, Pennsylvania.

“My mother-in-law made this Pennsylvania Dutch recipe for years. She brought it to the family cabin whenever we spent weekends together, and it has always been a family favorite! She shared the recipe with me when I got married, along with some of her other wonderful recipes. It continues to be a requested dessert.”

Crust:

Ingredients
2 unbaked 9-inch piecrusts

Cake:

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened, or shortening
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs

Topping:

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two pie plates with piecrust. 
  2. For cake: In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, milk, butter, baking powder, salt, and eggs. Pour half into each pie crust. 
  3. For topping: In a bowl, combine sugar, hot water, cocoa powder, and vanilla. Pour half of topping over each pie.
  4. Bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 

Note: During baking, the chocolate “topping” sinks to the bottom of the cake, forming a chocolate layer seen in the picture above.

About The Author

Samantha Jones

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