Quick Lunch Box Cake

by Martha McKinnon
(Phoenix, Arizona)

This was a favorite in our house growing up. It's a quick tasty cake, perfect for lunch boxes, pot lucks, and afternoon snacks. My mom thinks she got it from a bag of Pillsbury flour years ago.

I continue to make it whenever I want a quick cake and cherish the spotted, tattered recipe card in my mom's handwriting from so many years ago. Just looking at it makes me smile with happy memories.


Quick Lunch Box Cake Recipe

2 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 16-ounce can fruit cocktail, undrained
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or more to taste)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (or more to taste)

Preheat oven to 350F.

Grease and flour a 9x13 pan.

Combine all ingredients except the chocolate chip and nuts in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium for two minutes.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the top evenly with chocolate chips and nuts.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few clinging crumbs.

Cool and enjoy.