Whoever You Are, There's a Cake for You

Would you like a piece of cake right now? For Goodness Cake is here for you. Every week, we'll be sharing recipes that prove why cake should be its own food group.

Today: Are you an adventure seeker, a morning person, or a free spirit? Whoever you are, there's a cake for you.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post entitled How to Judge a Person by Their Ice Cream Choice. For some, it was funny; for some, it was offensive; and for others, it was irrelevant.

For those of you who prefer cake to ice cream, who never order your dessert à la mode, and whose answer to a selection of ice cream truck treats is always "d) none of the above," here's another personality metric for you—just so you don't feel left out. Find your match, then make cake.  

If you're an adventure-seeker...

Try the Pistachio Cake with Lemon, Rose Water, and Cardamom. It's got beauty—a pastel-green color and icy-smooth top—and brains, too: The rose water and cardamom set it apart from the rest of the cakes. Light and lemony, it's perfect for serving with afternoon iced tea in the summer.

 

If you're laid-back...

When you slice the Pomegranate Molasses Crumb Cake, crumbs will rain down immediately. As your uptight friend lunges for the vacuum cleaner, you'll stay cool as a cucumber. Cut yourself a second slice and use your fingers to eat every last crunchy sugar-pebble. 

 

If you "march to the beat of a different drummer" (i.e. you're weird and you know it)...

Some say cake is supposed to be light, some say cake is supposed to moist, and some say cake is supposed to be dense, but few say cake is supposed to be squishy. Prove them wrong! This Chocolate Mochi Cake will bounce and bob its way to your heart. 

 

If you need a self-confidence boost...

You might think that this Caramel Cake, with it's gilded caramel top, is out of your league (and beyond your abilities). Well, grab your candy thermometer and pick up your chin, kid: It's easy to make (I guarantee it) and it will earn you a round of applause. 

 

If you're "not a baker"...

This Almond Coffee Cake is about to prove you wrong. Not only is it almost impossible to mess this cake up, but you probably have everything you need to make it in your kitchen. Or your neighbor does! Go make a friend, then share this buttery, not-too-sweet cake with them.

 

If you're a morning person...

In order to make the World's Puffiest Pancakes with Orange and Fig for breakfast, you'll need to be on top of your game as soon as the sun rises, and you'll need to have egg rings. But, as they say, the early bird catches the worm, and these pancakes—which are the perfect balance of crispy and pillowy—are much, much better than any worm could ever be.

BONUS: If you're not a morning person but you do have egg rings (or you borrowed them!), you can make these pancakes and freeze them. Reheat them in a warm oven before eating.

 

If you're spontaneous...

When you come home from the market with two pounds of rhubarb because you just had to buy those bright pink stalks, consider this Rye and Rhubarb Cake your plan. And, later in the summer, when you find yourself in the same predicament—aimless and overloaded with the season's most seductive fruit—turn it into compote, then swirl it into the batter. Just make sure you have some hearty flour—rye works well, so does whole wheat—to bolster the sweet fruit. 

 

If you always want to be in the know...

Then you won't rest until you've decided whether the World's Best Cake is, truly, the world's best. Opinions may vary.