Lazy Daisy Cake Is a Retro Dessert Ready for a Comeback

1. Stage

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8-inch square baking pan.

2. Stage

Heat the milk and butter: Start by making the cake. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the milk and butter together until the butter is melted and the milk is steaming. Set aside.

3. Stage

Make the batter: Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Whisk together vigorously for about 60 seconds, until the color lightens and the mixture seems a bit thicker when it falls from the whisk. Beat out your aggressions, it’s fun!  Add the flour to the bowl. Measure the baking powder into your palm and sprinkle it over the flour. If there are any lumps in the baking powder, crush them against your palm with your fingers.  Switch from a whisk to a spatula and fold the dry ingredients in until combined. Pour the warm milk and butter mixture over top and fold it in to make a slightly liquidy batter.

4. Stage

Bake: Scrape the batter into the greased pan and set aside the dirty bowl; you’ll use it again in a bit.  Bake until the cake is puffed, golden at the edges, and its center springs back when you press it gently with your fingertip, about 30 minutes.

5. Stage

Meanwhile, make the topping: Over medium-low heat, melt the butter in the same saucepan you used to warm the milk. In the same bowl you used for the batter (no need to wash it), mix the coconut, brown sugar, cream, salt, and melted butter. The topping will be a bit thick, but it’ll thin out once it hits the cake.

6. Stage

Broil the topping: Right after the cake comes out of the oven, move the broiler rack up so it’s about 5 inches away from the heating element.  Scrape the topping over the hot cake and spread it around evenly with a spatula. Slide the pan onto the rack and broil until the topping bubbles rapidly, about 3 minutes. Check on the cake every minute or so, for even broiling. You may need to rotate the pan after every minute.

7. Stage

Cool, then serve: Set the cake on a wire rack to cool completely, then slice and enjoy! For leftovers, cover the cake with plastic wrap or foil. After a day or so, the topping will soften and melt into the cake a little, but it will still be delicious. It’s best to polish this cake off within 3 days. Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!