FUNNEL CAKE WITH CAKE MIX RECIPES

Steps:

• The fine moist crumb of this cake complements any type of filling and frosting -- the perfect celebratory cake.
• Set a rack at the middle level of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar for about 5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Combine egg whites, milk and vanilla extract. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to butter mixture then add half the milk mixture. Continue to alternate beginning and ending with flour mixture. Scrape bowl and beater often. Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and smooth top with a metal spatula. Bake cake(s) about 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean. Cool in pan on a rack for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a rack, remove paper and let cool completely.
• Variation:
• CLASSIC YELLOW CAKE Substitute 3 large eggs and 1 egg yolk for all of the egg whites above.
• 2 (9-inch) diameter by 1 1/2-inch deep layer pans or 1 (13 by 9 by 2-inch) pan, buttered and bottoms lined with parchment or waxed paper.

Steps:

• *Cake recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens*Icing recipe adapted from SavorySweetLife.com(Note: You can use absolutely any cake you want, just as long as trinkets are added!)CAKEPreheat oven to 375 degrees. Thoroughly grease/flour a 9 x 13 baking pan (or spray with baking spray.)In a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat butter until it's soft and fluffy, about 30 seconds. Add the sugar in batches, about a fourth at a time. Scrape the sides of the bowl, then mix again until totally combined and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating for 20 seconds on medium after each addition. Add vanilla and mix until combined.In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternate adding the flour mixture with the milk with the mixer on medium-low until all the ingredients have been incorporated. Scrape the sides of the bowl and turn the mixer on high for ten seconds. Remove bowl from mixer stand and fold in trinkets so that they're evenly distributed. (Note that you can also tightly wrap trinkets in small pieces of aluminum foil if you prefer.) Use an offset spatula to even out the surface, then bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until cake is just set and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow cake to cool completely before icing.ICINGIn a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip the butter until totally soft and smooth. Sift together the powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt, then add gradually to the mixer, scraping the sides as you go. (When combined, mixture will be very thick/crumbly.) Drizzle in cream and whip on high until smooth, scraping the sides as you go. Ice the cooled cake in the pan.Cut 12 to 16 slices of cake with a serrated knife, being careful not to tear out any trinkets along the way (most of them settle close to the bottom.)***Be sure to tell everyone that there are trinkets in the cake beforehand so they can watch for them!Each trinket means different things. Here's the tradition from my church:Dime: WealthRing: Church's blessingsThimble: Increased industryButton: Increased spiritual knowledgeBaby: Will know Jesus betterShoe: Will walk in the ways of the LordBean: King of Epiphany! (And the baker of next year's cake! Ha.)