soda-can cake, among other things

Just wanted to drop a line and say that I updated Benjamin's blog this morning...

And also that I'm feeling a little better, but not much, so be patient with my posting here until I can get my feet under me! In the meantime, here's my encouragement to go make a cake: You should bake a cake today! To help inspire you, let me share a super-easy recipe, care of my mother-in-law, care of Weight Watchers --

Step One: Find box of cake mix (any kind will work, but the best options for your first time are chocolate or vanilla, or some variation of those. I use a lot of devil's food and funfetti, for example)

Step Two: Find a can of soda (again, any kind will work, but bear in mind that a dark soda with a light cake will dye the cake brownish. if you want it to be cute and appetizing to others, opt for dark soda with chocolate cake and light soda with vanilla. Also, if you don't have a can, make sure to use only 12 oz. ALSO, if you want to use the real weight-watchers recipe you should use a diet soda. Less calories and still works!)

Step Three: Find frosting (or make your own. To be super-weight-watcher-friendly, go with nonfat cool whip instead. I always use frosting with sprinkles, because it makes me happy.)

Step Four: Turn oven to whatever temperature the box of cake mix requires.

Step Five: Combine dry cake mix with can of soda (don't put anything else in there! Just cake mix and soda!) Stir that baby up!

Step Six: Pour into cake pan and place in oven. Bake for however long the cake box requires.

Step Seven: Take out of oven, let cool (I always get impatient here), and frost away.

Step Eight: Mmmm.

I made one the other day using the following:

(that would be cream soda...)

Oh, and this too:

(that would be my cute oven)

I didn't take an after-picture because I was too busy being impatient for it to cool, but here's what's left of it (so you'll believe that it still comes out OK in the end):
(My husband is a pie-lover and doesn't usually eat cake. I just want to point out that I ate one piece of this when I first made it, had one bite of another piece that made me sick, and ate one more bite last night. The rest is all him ;-) I should remember that this was a good combo, apparently!)

I've tried Devil's Food with Root Beer, Cherry Coke, and Coke Zero (both cherry and vanilla, but not together -- they add an interesting and mild flavoring!), as well as Funfetti with Orange Soda, Fresca, and now Cream Soda. The light cakes are cool because the cake turns orange (etc) when you use bright sodas. Anyway, it's an easy way to make dessert for last-minute company or an afternoon when you're craving cake, and it's a guilt-free way to eat cake batter (for those of us who "shouldn't" be eating raw eggs). Let me know if you try one out!