Molasses Pecan Snack Attack Cake

I love the idea of a snack cake.  It’s simple, no dog-and-pony show like a layer cake, just a perfect little square of sweetness alongside tea or coffee.  No frosting required, this is two or three bites of afternoon pick-me-up cake dotted with pecans or sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Molasses cake has an old-fashioned feel to it. If you were Betty Draper, you’d offer it up to someone who stops by unexpectedly, because it’s a cake you might just have around. But for us working stiffs, it’s the cake that’ll sate your 3 pm snack attack without a bouncing off walls sugar high.

Consistent results with whole wheat pastry flour continue to escape me, so use AP here.  The whole wheat will produce a drier cake. Made in an 8×8 pan, snack cake doesn’t carry the commitment of a 9×13, so it won’t last long. Save yourself a square and leave the rest for your office mates. If you’re enjoying this at home, drizzle your square with a little more molasses. Sugar high, be damned.

Print Recipe

Molasses Pecan Snack Cake

Serves: 12 squares

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 c. all-purpose flour
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 1/2 t. baking powder
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/2 t. cinnamon
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 c. canola oil
• 1/3 c. molasses
• 1/2 c. light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1/2 -1 c. pecan pieces (1/2 c. if only sprinkling half the cake)
• Confectioners sugar for dusting

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8x8 square baking pan with parchment.

2

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

3

In a medium bowl, combine eggs, oil, molasses, brown sugar and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until just combined.

4

Pour the batter into the pan and spread the batter to get into the corners. Sprinkle with pecans.

5

Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes. Let rest for 3-5 minutes and then transfer the cake to a cooling rack. Once cool, cut into 9-12 squares, depending on the size you want. Dust with confectioners sugar, as desired.

Food Advertisements by